Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY 2027 Evidence Plan

The FY 2027 Evidence Plan fulfills the U.S. Department of Transportation’s statutory obligations under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, Title I – Federal Evidence-Building Activities, Section 312 (a) and (b), (5 USC § 312).  

To make progress in the Department’s work, it is essential that we have the right evidence on hand to make decisions. The FY 2027 Evidence Plan is a roadmap for developing evidence that we will use to deliver on our mission of advancing safety, moving people and goods, and building big and beautiful infrastructure.  

The FY 2027 Evidence Plan focuses on the Department’s top priorities, including our investments in airports, bridges, and state maritime academies, as well as studying trucking bottlenecks, roadway safety, and non-emergency medical transportation.  

Completing the evidence-building activities described in the FY 2027 Evidence Plan will help us get better every step of the way.

 

PRIORITY QUESTION 

KEY EVIDENCE ACTIVITIES 

RELATED ADMINISTRATION PRIORITIES 

1 

What are effective and efficient ways to reduce unsafe conditions that lead to transportation-related injuries and fatalities? 

  • NHTSA: Outcome evaluation of high visibility enforcement media campaigns  

 

  • FMCSA: Study of commercial motor vehicle driver detention time 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #1: Safety 

  • Strategic Objective #1.2: Reduce surface transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries 

  • Strategic Objective #1.3: Improve transportation worker safety 

 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #2: Infrastructure 

  • Strategic Objective #2.3: Improve system condition and reliability 

2 

What are effective and efficient ways to expand the transportation system’s capacity or improve its conditions or reliability? 

  • FTA: Process and outcome evaluation of the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #2: Infrastructure 

  • Strategic Objective #2.2 Construct projects to expand system capacity 

  • Strategic Objective #2.3: Improve system condition and reliability 

3 

What are effective and efficient ways to enable the development and adoption of innovative transportation technology? 

  • FAA: Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program 

 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #1: Safety 

  • Strategic Objective #1.1: Improve aviation safety 

 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #3: Innovation 

  • Strategic Objective #3.2: Enable transportation technology development and adoption 

4 

What are effective and efficient ways to revitalize the U.S. merchant marine and maritime industrial base? 

  • MARAD: Outcome evaluation of the State Maritime Academy Direct Payment Program 

  • Executive Order 14269: Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance 

 

  • DOT Value: Restore maritime dominance 

 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #2: Infrastructure 

  • Strategic Objective #2.4: Position the U.S. transportation sector for economic competitiveness at home and abroad 

5

What are effective and efficient ways to improve DOT’s grant award and management processes? 

  • FHWA: Process evaluation of the Bridge Investment Program 

 

  • DOT Strategic Goal #4: Efficiency 

  • Strategic Objective #4.1: Modernize DOT operations 

Last updated: Monday, April 20, 2026