How much does the government spend on infrastructure like roads and airports? How safe is the US transportation network? How do people get around?
Latest update on March 30, 2023There is no agreed-upon definition of infrastructure, but broadly it refers to facilities, structures, and utilities intended for long-term use. Explore data on infrastructure spending, how much distance America's roads cover, and how many transportation-related deaths yearly.
What is the role of the government in transportation and infrastructure?
USAFacts categorizes government budget data to allocate spending appropriately and to arrive at the estimate presented here. The data does not yet show spending related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in November 2021. The bill allocated $550 billion in new spending to rebuild roads, bridges, rails, and airports while providing high-speed internet access and addressing climate concerns.
Government revenue and expenditures are based on data from the Office of Management and Budget, the Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Each is published annually, although due to collection times, state and local government data are not as current as federal data. Thus, when combining federal, state, and local revenues and expenditures, the most recent year for a combined number may be delayed.
Level of government | Key actors | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
Federal | Department of Transportation | Fund and manage federal public infrastructure projects (largely airports, highways, and railroads) |
State/local | State and local transportation departments, regional transit authorities | Manage state and local public infrastructure projects (roads, public transit) |
Level of government |
|---|
Federal |
State/local |
What is the state of infrastructure?
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics is the primary government agency that compiles data on the nation's transportation system, allowing people and goods to travel as needed. In addition, the agency provides several datasets that can give context to the state and scope of infrastructure.
This includes the distance covered by various ground transportation systems, including roads, rail, and pipelines. The US road network covers the most distance of these transportation types. The data accounts for all public road and street mileage in every state and Washington, DC.
Roadway conditions are measured using a concept known as the International Roughness Index. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics compiles measurements.
How much do households spend on transportation?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual Consumer Expenditure Survey provides consumer information on American households across various categories. The agency breaks down transportation spending into select categories, including multiple vehicle-related ones. In 2020, while spending in transportation categories such as fuel and public transportation decreased, spending on vehicle purchases increased.
How do Americans get around?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey tracks commuting characteristics for workers over 16 years old.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics measures the amount of driving in the US using the concept of vehicle miles traveled, the sum of all distances driven in a period. The agency also tracks the number of licensed drivers in the US. The two data points can be combined to calculate the amount driven by the average driver.
How safe is transportation in the US?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks traffic crashes of all severity. Its Fatality Analysis Reporting System aggregates data from various state and local government sources. That data accounts for traffic crashes involving motor vehicles traveling on a publicly open road or traffic way that results in at least one person's death inside or outside the vehicle.
The agency provides data on the number of crashes and deaths and death rates that allow for interpreting trends over time. The rate shown in this section shows the number of traffic deaths for every 1 million miles driven by all vehicles in a given area, more formally known as vehicle-miles traveled. Other ways to measure the fatality rate of motor vehicle crashes include accounting for population, the number of registered vehicles, or the number of licensed drivers.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics catalogs deaths across different means of transportation. However, the agency cautions that there are differences in what counts as a transportation-related death based on a mode of transportation.