A complex network of public and private organizations finances, plans, builds and operates the U.S. transportation system. Some of the other key stakeholders in state transportation governance and finance are described below and listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Major Stakeholders in Transportation Governance and Finance
Federal | State | Regional Transportation | Local Governments | Transit Agencies | Other |
• Congress • U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) • Six major federal land management agencies • Three primary environmental protection agencies | • Governors • Legislatures • Departments of transportation (DOTs) in states and other jurisdictions • State transportation commissions or boards • Other state agencies with related responsibilities, including non-highway modal agencies | • Urban: 383 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), ranging from one to 26 per state • Rural: 180 regional [transportation] planning organizations (RTPOs or RPOs) | • 3,043 counties • 19,431 municipalities • 16,504 town-ships • 767 highway special districts | • 640 urban operating systems, including 600 public agencies • 2,000 rural operating systems | • 85 bridge, tunnel and turnpike authorities • 561 federally recognized tribal governments • Private operators and owners of transportation assets • Regional and county toll authorities • Regional mobility authorities (8,Texas only) • Operators and users, and their representative interest groups • Voters • General public |
Source: Intergovernmental Forum on Transportation Finance, 2008.