USDOT’s Role in Rural Transportation

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) is a multidisciplinary organization that conducts work in all modes of transportation, such as aviation, highway, rail, and transit, with the overarching goal of delivering an efficient and reliable transportation system.

Supporting Rural Communities through Competitive Grant Funding

In support of its overall mission and strategic goals, the Department administers a large portfolio of funding and financial assistance programs to maintain and improve the nation’s transportation network. The Department awards billions of dollars in competitive grants each year to fund mobility and safety improvements and innovative transportation solutions across the United States.

USDOT is committed to improving infrastructure and addressing other challenges to improve safety outcomes in rural communities, increase quality of life for rural residents, and fuel American economic competitiveness.

With this goal in mind, USDOT’s Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) seeks to address disparities in rural transportation infrastructure by developing user-friendly tools and information, aggregating USDOT resources, and providing technical assistance.

Specifically, it aims to help the Department enhance competitive grant funding opportunity processes, with a focus on supporting the transportation needs of rural applicants and communities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act codified the ROUTES initiative into law in November 2021.