Reports & Testimonies
GAO’s reports and testimonies give Congress, federal agencies, and the public timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can improve government operations and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
Most Recent Reports
1 - 20 of 3900 Reports
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Commercial Space Transportation: How FAA Considers Environmental and Airspace Effects
Commercial space transportation companies use privately-owned launch vehicles to transport people and cargo, like satellites, to and from space. Commercial space operations enable essential activities such as digital communication and navigation. The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for licensing these companies. To do so, it assesses how their activities affect the environment. In addition, before each launch, FAA also looks at how the launch may...
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Coast Guard Acquisitions: Opportunities Exist to Improve Shipbuilding Outcomes
We testified on the Coast Guard's primary challenge as it invests billions of dollars in its highest priority programs—developing stable ship designs. The design of the Polar Security Cutter, a heavy icebreaker, is more complex and taking over 3 years longer than expected—delaying delivery of the lead ship by about 5 years. And the program's costs increased by more than $2 billion due to these...
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National Mediation Board: Agency Should Take Steps to Regularly Update Its Plans and Policies and Ensure Staff Receive Necessary Training
The National Mediation Board, a federal agency, helps railroads and airlines resolve labor disputes to avoid work stoppages and prevent disruptions to interstate commerce. We found that this agency has had challenges keeping important plans and policies current. For example, despite vacancies in nearly a third of its positions and almost half its staff eligible for retirement within 5 years, the agency had no process...
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Federal Maritime Commission: Improved Use of Data on Shippers' Complaints Could Enhance Oversight
During COVID-19, high demand for cargo space disrupted the maritime shipping industry. Some companies that ship hazardous items raised concerns that ship operators prioritized consumer goods over their cargo, which is often less valuable. The Federal Maritime Commission investigates complaints about shipping practices. We found: Hazmat companies rarely filed complaints, partially due to not understanding the complaint process FMC doesn't collect specific data on its...
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Discretionary Grants: DOT Should Improve Clarity and Transparency of Program Management
The nation's people and freight depend on an aging transportation system to keep moving. The Department of Transportation administers billions of dollars in competitive grants to improve it. As the cost of transportation repairs exceeds the available funding, this Snapshot highlights the importance of using this money wisely. But we previously found that DOT's processes for reviewing grant applications and making award decisions wasn't documented...
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Aviation Safety: Federal Efforts to Address Unauthorized Drone Flights Near Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits unauthorized drone flights near airports because they can pose safety risks to other aircraft and disrupt air traffic control. Local authorities respond to these incidents with assistance from the federal government, if needed. Some federal agencies have authority to use drone detection and counter-drone technologies, in certain situations. The military has used these technologies for many years and FAA is...
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Aircraft Registrations: Risks Remain from Efforts to Obscure Ownership Information
This testimony discusses our prior work on the FAA's management of the U.S. registry for civil aircraft. Accurate registry information can, for example, facilitate aircraft purchases or help investigators combat drug trafficking or money laundering. But the FAA generally relies on self-certification and doesn't verify information such as applicant identity or ownership. Shell company or limited liability company ownership can also make it hard to...
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Vehicle Repair: Information on Evolving Vehicle Technologies and Consumer Choice [Reissued with revisions on Apr. 5, 2024]
"Right-to-repair" is the ability to repair your own vehicles or get repairs at auto dealerships or independent repair shops. In this Q&A report, we looked at the effects of changing technologies on the right-to-repair. For example, the use of technology to wirelessly transfer vehicle health and repair data with automakers could give dealerships an advantage. If independent repair shops don't have access to this data...
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Roadside Safety: DOT Should Update Public Awareness Materials on Move Over Laws
All states and the District of Columbia have "Move Over" laws—which require drivers to change lanes, slow down, or both, when approaching certain vehicles stopped on the roadside with flashing warning lights. States often use road signs and social media to inform the public of these laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supports states' efforts via funding, research, and public awareness materials like videos...
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Gas Pipeline Safety: Better Data and Planning Would Improve Implementation of Regulatory Changes
About 300,000 miles of gas transmission pipelines cross the nation. Pipelines and related equipment failure can cause incidents of harm to people or property. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recently issued rules to strengthen gas transmission safety regulations. Among other things, these rules require pipeline operators to assess more miles of pipeline than before and keep better records. Our Q&A report found that...
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International Mail: Effects of Rate Increases and Other Factors on USPS and Domestic Stakeholders
The United States Postal Service delivers mail to and from countries around the world. In 2017, we reported that USPS lost money delivering international mail to U.S. customers. USPS has been able to cover its costs by increasing certain international mailing rates. But USPS has handled significantly less international mail since 2017. Stakeholders said that higher mailing rates, COVID-19 restrictions, and new customs laws contributed...
Driver Assistance Technologies: NHTSA Should Take Action to Enhance Consumer Understanding of Capabilities and Limitations
Driver assistance technologies are increasingly included in new vehicles. But drivers who don't understand these technologies may increase their risk of accidents by turning off safety features or over-relying on convenience features. The New Car Assessment Program is one way the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration educates drivers on vehicle technology. NHTSA's proposed updates to the program could help people better understand these technologies, but...
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Port Infrastructure: U.S. Ports Have Adopted Some Automation Technologies and Report Varied Effects
All 10 of the largest U.S. container ports are using some form of automation technology to process and handle cargo. At least 1 terminal at each port uses it to track and communicate container movements. Port operators consider factors like costs, profitability, priorities, and labor agreements when deciding whether to automate. Some port stakeholders said automation can improve worker safety, simplify tasks, and increase efficiency...
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Commercial Aviation: Key Lessons from COVID-19 Preparedness and Emergency Financial Assistance to the Industry
Airlines saw a dramatic, sudden decrease in passengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government responded—providing billions in financial assistance. What are the lessons learned from the assessment of this response? Our pandemic-related work and information from agencies and industry showed: Greater federal leadership in preparedness and disease mitigation research could better address future communicable disease threats while minimizing aviation disruptions Key lessons, such...
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Surface Transportation: DOT Considers Multiple Factors when Choosing the Volpe Center to Conduct Research
The Department of Transportation funds research aimed at making the nation's transportation system safer and more efficient. DOT agencies, nonfederal entities, and the Volpe Center—DOT's fee-for-service innovation center—conduct research. Five DOT agencies committed a total of $50.5 million—13% of their total fiscal year 2022 research funding—to the Volpe Center. The remaining 87% went to universities, businesses, and other entities. DOT officials said they choose to...
Advanced Air Mobility: Legal Authorities and Issues to Consider for Operations
Advanced Air Mobility is an emerging aviation concept that will use new types of aircraft and technology, such as electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Before new aircraft can be used, the FAA needs to certify the designs and regulate how they are operated. In the near term, the FAA plans to use a combination of existing requirements—like air traffic control procedures—and...
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Commercial Aviation Manufacturing: Supply Chain Challenges and Actions to Address Them
Air travel has rebounded since 2020, increasing airlines' demand for new aircraft and parts for current fleets. Boeing and Airbus—and companies that supply them with parts and materials—have faced challenges increasing production to meet demand. Aviation manufacturers reported shortages of workforce and materials. Some said they were offering financial incentives working with local schools to build interest in aviation careers increasing oversight of suppliers adding...
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Trusted Traveler Programs: DHS Has Enrollment Processes, but CBP Should Provide Additional Information on Reconsiderations
Millions of travelers have enrolled in DHS trusted traveler programs—including Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry—which allow preapproved low-risk travelers to be quickly processed at airports or other ports of entry. There are clear processes for enrolling in these programs and for reconsideration if membership is denied or revoked. But if CBP denies or revokes membership, it doesn't tell travelers how to seek more information...
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Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration Could Further Improve Officer Engagement
TSA's nearly 50,000 officers play an important role in keeping potentially dangerous items off airplanes. But TSA officers' engagement—their sense of purpose on the job—has historically ranked among the lowest across the federal government. Employees who feel engaged tend to be more innovative, productive, and committed in their jobs. TSA has taken steps to address key drivers of officer dissatisfaction, such as by setting up...
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Ridesharing and Taxi Safety: Information on Assaults against Drivers and Passengers
Many people rely on ridesharing and taxi services, but there's growing concern about assaults on drivers and passengers. While there are no federal requirements to collect data on assaults in rideshare and taxi vehicles, we found: 6 federal databases have some data on assaults on drivers—one database reported 19 fatal assaults in 2019 3 ridesharing companies publicly report on fatal physical assaults and the most...