Volpe Journal 30th Anniversary - A Special Edition
Winter 2001
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Since the Volpe Center opened in 1970, there have been seven U.S. presidents, and the U.S. Department of Transportation has been guided by the leadership of 13 Transportation Secretaries. Each administration has faced unique transportation challenges, and has advanced the nation's transportation system through a variety of policy, research, and technology initiatives. The Volpe Center has contributed to the DOT's research priorities by providing critical analytical and technical support. This section highlights 30 years of history and achievement at the U.S. DOT. The Secretaries of Transportation are noted below each administration.
Richard M. Nixon's Administration
John A. Volpe (January 1969-February 1973)
Claude S. Brinegar (February 1973-February 1975)
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- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is established as a separately operating administration
- Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 is enacted--intended to upgrade and revitalize the nation's airport and airways system
- The Transportation Systems Center (later renamed the Volpe Center) is established by DOT
- Amtrak is created by the National Railroad Passenger Service Act of 1970
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Gerald R. Ford's Administration
William T. Coleman, Jr. (March 1975-January 1977)
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- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) becomes an independent agency
- The Materials Transportation Bureau is established to oversee pipeline safety and the safe shipment of hazardous materials
- Release of the first Statement on National Transportation Policy
- Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 is enacted--begins deregulation of the railroad industry
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Jimmy Carter's Administration
Brock Adams (January 1977-July 1979)
Neil E. Goldschmidt (August 1979-January 1981)
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- New fuel economy standards are announced
- Multimodal Research and Special Programs Administration is established
- Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the Staggers Rail Act, and the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 are enacted--all key pieces of deregulation legislation
- NHTSA launches nationwide campaign against drunk driving
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Ronald W. Reagan's Administration
Andrew L. "Drew" Lewis, Jr. (January 1981-February 1983)
Elizabeth H. Dole (February 1983-September 1987)
James H. Birnley IV (December 1987-January 1989)
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- Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike in 1981
- The Maritime Administration is transferred to DOT from the Department of Commerce
- The National Airspace System (NAS) Plan is issued, detailing proposed air traffic control and navigational system modernization efforts
- Rule mandating air bags and/or automobile seat belt restraints is introduced
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George H. Bush's Administration
Samuel K. Skinner (February 1989-December 1991)
Andrew H. Card, Jr. (February 1992-January 1993)
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- The Federal Aviation Administration's first annual Capital Investment Plan becomes effective, superseding the NAS Plan
- Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) is enacted
- Office of Intermodalism and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics established
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William J. Clinton's Administration
Federico F. Pena (January 1993-February 1997)
Rodney E. Slater (February 1997-January 2001)
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- The National Highway System is unveiled
- The Surface Transportation Board is established to perform functions previously carried out by the Interstate Commerce Commission
- Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) is enacted
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is established
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George W. Bush's Administration
Norman Y. Mineta (January 2001-
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- According to President Bush, Norman Mineta has "made a reputation in the halls of Congress as someone who understands that a sound infrastructure in America will lead to economic opportunity for all Americans." Secretary Mineta's experience as Mayor of the City of San Jose, California, as a long time member of the U.S. House of Representatives where he chaired several transportation-related committees, as a senior executive at Lockheed Martin, and as Secretary of Commerce enriched this understanding and made him an expert on transportation issues. Already he has met a tremendous challenge, leading the DOT in a comprehensive re-examination of all transportation security issues in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
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