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Open Recommendations

Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: DOT Should Take Steps to Address Risks Related to Limited Driver Visibility
GAO-26-107954
Jul 21, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should determine the appropriate method or methods for measuring driver visibility of pedestrians and cyclists, including the size of blind zones, for passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should take steps to fully analyze and address risks that limited driver visibility poses to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Such steps include analyzing the factors related to driver visibility that may pose risks to pedestrians and cyclists, such as type of vehicle, different driving scenarios, and turning maneuvers, and determining actions to reduce risks. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Multimodal Freight Office: DOT Should Report to Congress on Progress Toward Meeting Statutory Requirements
GAO-26-108554
Apr 20, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should report to Congress on the activities of the Multimodal Freight Office since September 2023, including updates of descriptions of the programs and activities administered or overseen by the Office, such as freight-related grants, and current and future staffing levels. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Telework and Changing Travel Patterns: Department of Transportation Should Develop Guidance to Help Communities Prioritize Investments
GAO-26-107532
Apr 10, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation The Administrator of FHWA should establish and implement a detailed plan—that contains clear steps and timelines—to complete the required travel demand data and modeling study, and guidance based on information in the study. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Aircraft Noise: Military Helicopter Operators Should Improve Outreach to Affected Communities in the D.C. Area
GAO-26-107758
Mar 23, 2026
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should develop and implement a plan to engage in ongoing and continuous community awareness and outreach programs to communities affected by Air Force helicopter noise in the D.C. area. This outreach should include communicating information about military helicopter flights and the Air Force's efforts to reduce noise from its flights in the D.C. area. (Recommendation 1)
Open
The Air Force concurred with GAO's recommendation. In March 2026, the Air Force stated they will work to provide consistent engagement with the public on impacts due to military helicopter flights in the D.C. area. GAO will continue to monitor the Air Force's implementation of this recommendation.
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should develop and implement a plan to engage in ongoing and continuous community awareness and outreach programs to communities affected by Army and D.C. Army National Guard helicopter noise in the D.C. area. This outreach should include communicating information about military helicopter flights and efforts by the Army and D.C. Army National Guard to reduce noise from their flights in the D.C. area. (Recommendation 2)
Open
The Army concurred with GAO's recommendation. In March 2026, the Army stated that it plans to interface with the D.C. area community through public forums and outreach events to create a better understanding of Army helicopter operations. In addition, in coordination with the Military District of Washington, the Army stated it plans to use its webpage, social media, and other methods to announce when scheduled training flights and/or increased levels of training are expected to occur over densely populated areas. The Army also stated it plans to coordinate with FAA to facilitate faster notification and resolution of noise complaints. GAO will continue to monitor the implementation of this recommendation.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, should develop and implement a plan to engage in ongoing and continuous community awareness and outreach programs to communities affected by Marine Corps helicopter noise in the D.C. area. This outreach should include communicating information about military helicopter flights and Marine Corps' efforts to reduce noise from its flights in the D.C. area. (Recommendation 3)
Open
The Navy concurred with GAO's recommendation. In March 2026, the Marine Corps stated that installations within the D.C. area engage and conduct outreach through each installation's Community Plans and Liaison Officer. They also noted that Marine Corps encroachment policy directs installations with aviation operations to inform local communities about their noise mitigation efforts. GAO will continue to monitor the implementation of this recommendation.
Department of Homeland Security The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, should develop and implement a plan to engage in ongoing and continuous community awareness and outreach programs to communities affected by Coast Guard helicopter noise in the D.C. area. This outreach should include communicating information about Coast Guard's helicopter flights in support of Operation Noble Eagle and its efforts to reduce noise from its flights in the D.C. area. (Recommendation 4)
Open
As of July 2026, DHS officials stated that they do not plan to take action to address this recommendation. DHS stated that the Coast Guard supports the intent of the recommendation to engage in ongoing and continuous community awareness related to Coast Guard missions. However, DHS stated that under Coast Guard's helicopter mission in the D.C. area operates under the command of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Coast Guard defers to NORAD to conduct community outreach. GAO continues to believe that the recommendation is warranted and would not preclude the development or implementation of an outreach plan under the existing mission command structure. As noted in GAO's report, recognizing Coast Guard's helicopter operations support Operation Noble Eagle in the D.C. area, DOD and DHS could collaborate to define the roles and responsibilities associated with an outreach plan for operations under this mission. By developing and implementing a plan to engage in ongoing and continuous community awareness and outreach, Coast Guard can improve public awareness and acceptance of its mission-essential helicopter operations in the D.C. area.
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