Equity: Reducing inequities across our transportation systems

The U.S. Department of Transportation’ (DOT’s) first Equity Action Plan was finalized in January 2022 in response to Executive Order (EO) 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government”. It highlights work that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will undertake across four focus areas – wealth creation, power of community, interventions, and expanding access – to expand access and opportunity to all communities while focusing on underserved, overburdened, and disadvantaged communities. DOT's first Equity Action Plan was a major milestone for the Department of Transportation that represents a shift in how we view and deliver transportation programs. EO 14091, “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government”, which was signed in February 2023, directs all federal agencies to update their Equity Action Plans by September 2023, and on an annual basis thereafter. The 2023 update of the Equity Action Plan highlighted metrics and actions that fall under five focus areas, or “Pillars”, including the four that are carried over from the original Equity Action Plan and one new “Institutionalizing Equity” pillar. The 2023 update of the Equity Action Plan advances equity in alignment with related EOs, including EO 13988, EO 14008, and EO 14020 and with DOT’s Equity and Access Policy Statement published in June 2022.

Equity and Accessibility Focused Programs

• Justice40 Initiative
• Equity Action Plan
• Safe Street and Roads for All
• Environmental Equity
• Rural and Tribal Assistance Program
• Thriving Communities