Rail Safety:
States' Reaction to Proposed Elimination of Inspection Funding
RCED-87-84FS: Published: Feb 6, 1987. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 1987.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on how the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) elimination of support funds under its State Safety Participation Program would affect the number of state railroad safety inspectors.
GAO found that, of the 44 states that responded to its questionnaire: (1) most that received partial funding for state rail safety inspectors through the program believed they would have to decrease their railroad safety inspection activities if FRA eliminated the program; (2) 3 would cancel their inspection programs; (3) 18 had rail safety inspection programs prior to receiving FRA funds; (4) most participated in the program because they needed additional funds for their inspection activities; (5) most would continue to coordinate with FRA on inspection activities; (6) most were in the program because they felt that a coordinated national rail safety inspection program was important; (7) 16 were somewhat dissatisfied with FRA coordination with states to prevent duplication of inspection work, 7 were very dissatisfied, and 13 were somewhat satisfied; and (8) 4 of the program administrators said that their states are considering withdrawing from the program due to the FRA desire to eliminate it. GAO also found that: (1) 12 states obtained funding from railroad assessments, while 16 received funding from general tax revenues; (2) 18 would probably use railroad assessments to replace eliminated federal funds, while 10 would use general taxes; (3) 22 participate in the program because of a need for more precise rail safety standards; and (4) 7 did not participate in the program due to a lack of state funds.
Jan 7, 2021
Aircraft Noise:
Better Information Sharing Could Improve Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise ConcernsGAO-21-200: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Automated Technologies:
DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee SafetyGAO-21-197: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 17, 2020
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Emergency Responder Safety:
States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside CrashesGAO-21-166: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2020.
Nov 24, 2020
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Reagan National Airport:
Information on Effects of Federal Statute Limiting Long-Distance FlightsGAO-21-176: Published: Nov 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Federal-Aid Highways:
States and Local Governments Reported Benefits to Federal Highway Fund Swapping, but Impacts Cannot be Definitively DeterminedGAO-21-88: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 16, 2020
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Aviation Certification:
FAA Needs to Strengthen Its Design Review Process for Small AirplanesGAO-21-85: Published: Nov 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 16, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Aviation Safety:
FAA's Office of Aviation Safety Should Take Additional Actions to Ensure Its Workforce Has Needed SkillsGAO-21-94: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
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Puerto Rico:
Perspectives on the Potential to Expand Air Cargo OperationsGAO-21-21: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
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Supplemental Material For GAO-20-686:
Transit Asset Management: Survey of TAM Program ParticipantsGAO-20-687SP: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020. -
Transit Asset Management:
FTA Should Clarify Performance Data and Develop a Plan to Guide Future Program ImprovementsGAO-20-686: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
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