4: Transportation
Support the Nation’s Commerce with Information for Safe, Efficient, and Environmentally Sound Transportation Other Information:
Safe and efficient transportation systems are crucial to the U.S. economy. The U.S. marine transportation system ships over
95 percent of the tonnage and more than 20 percent by value of foreign trade through U.S. ports, including48 percent of the
oil needed to meet America’s energy demands. At least$4 billion is lost annually due to economic inefficiencies resulting
from weather-related air-traffic delays. Improved surface weather forecasts and specific user warnings would reduce the 7,000
weather-related fatalities and 800,000 injuries that occur annually from crashes on roads and highways. The injuries, loss
of life, and property damage from weather-related crashes cost an average of $42 billion annually. We provide information,
services, and products for transportation safety and for increased commerce on roads, rails, and waterways. We will improve
the accuracy of our information for marine, aviation, and surface weather forecasts, the availability of accurate and advanced
electronic navigational charts, and the delivery of real-time oceanographic information. We seek to provide consistent, accurate,
and timely positioning information that is critical for air, sea, and surface transportation. We will respond to hazardous
material spills and provide search and rescue routinely to save lives and money, and to protect the coastal environment. We
will work with port and coastal communities and with federal and state partners to ensure port operations and development
proceed efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner. We will work with the Federal Aviation Administration and the
private sector to reduce the negative impacts of weather on aviation without compromising safety. Owing to increased interest
by the public and private sectors, we also will expand weather information for marine and surface transportation to enhance
safety and efficiency.
Objective(s):
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