January 19, 2021
ITS America’s Priorities for the Biden Administration
Tomorrow, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, and Kamala Harris will make history as the nation’s first woman and woman of color as vice president. As a candidate, Joe Biden released Build Back Better, a plan to invest in infrastructure, jumpstart the economy, and address issues like climate change, safety, and equity. Many of the priorities outlined in this plan closely align with ITS America’s priorities.
Before the holidays, ITS America President & CEO Shailen Bhatt had the opportunity to meet with members of the transition team for the U.S. Department of Transportation to discuss the association’s transportation priorities and noted, “We hope you will consider these priorities as you prepare executive orders and legislative proposals in 2021 and the years to come to improve our transportation system and achieve a better future transformed by intelligent mobility – one that is safer, greener, and smarter.”
The key areas covered were COVID-19 relief and stimulus; smart transportation and infrastructure; Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and connected transportation technologies; highly automated vehicles; and sustainable and resilient transportation. A few highlights are noted below, but you can read the full document here.
COVID-19 relief and stimulus – urging Congress to provide:
- Flexible emergency funding to offset revenue loss for public transit, public authorities, state DOTs and city and county transportation agencies; and
- States, localities, transit agencies, and public authorities’ additional flexibility with federal funds to deploy technology to stop the spread of COVID-19, including funding for technologies that protect transit workers and passengers and Mobility on Demand services.
Smart transportation and infrastructure – ITS America supports (partial list):
- Reauthorization of the FAST Act and an infrastructure stimulus that provide funding for the rapid integration of advanced technologies into transportation infrastructure, operations, and vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector; create safer roadways for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists;
- Establishing a Mobility on Demand program; and
- Increasing investment in public transit so everyone gains access to mobility and opportunity.
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and connected transportation technologies – urging the Administration to:
- Preserve the full 75 MHz of the 5.9 GHz safety spectrum band for transportation use so that we can realize the significant safety, environmental, and economic benefits that a robust V2X and connected vehicle network will provide.
Highly automated vehicles – urging the Administration to:
- Work with Congress on an automated vehicle bill that maintains the federal government’s role over design, construction, and performance of highly automated vehicles and preserves state and local authority over its roads; and
- Support a safe and reasonable increase in the number and duration of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard exemptions.
Sustainable and resilient transportation – urging the Administration to support (partial list):
- Additional investments in sustainable transportation, including providing funding for the deployment of electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure; maintaining and enhancing electric vehicle tax credits for personal, passenger, and freight vehicles; and supporting investment in the electrification of public transportation.
ITS America looks forward to working with Congress and the Biden Administration to ensure the safety of our system, help with economic recovery, create good-paying jobs, and deliver a more equitable transportation system.
