Carper Applauds New DOT Performance Measure Rules for Congestion Relief

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement that it finalized two rules that create performance measures for the nation’s roads and bridges. These rules—one measuring roadway condition, and one measuring congestion and freight performance – will ensure that state and local transportation agencies use federal transportation funds as efficiently as possible by investing in projects that will improve mobility, road conditions, and safety performance of our roads and bridges. 

“This summer, I was joined by dozens of my colleagues in the House and Senate to ask DOT to make changes to its proposed rules on congestion and freight performance measures. The rules the department finalized yesterday respond to our concerns by including a far greater focus on movement of people and will more accurately assess the benefits of transit and High-Occupancy Toll lanes in relieving congestion.  Additionally, the final rule includes a new measure to assess changes in carbon pollution generated on highways, which will enable States to track air pollution and achieve locally-driven climate goals.?

“These new rules will give people who are concerned about safety, congestion, or the conditions of their roadway the ability to easily find out how their state or community compares with others, and what their state and local officials plan to do to improve conditions. These rules are a significant victory for all users of the transportation system because they will realize the benefits of improved roadway conditions, shortened commute and shipping times, and expanded access to opportunities across the nation.”