Transportation Law - Guide to Transport Law
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) establishes overall transportation policy for the U.S. The Department works with applicable state and local offices to decide policy regarding highway planning, development and construction; urban mass transit; railroads; aviation; and the safety of ports, highways and oil and gas pipelines. There are several other federal agencies that govern transportation law, including the Federal Highway Administration, The Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, The Federal Maritime Commission and others.
Transportation law firms specialize in such areas as regulatory compliance, cargo claims, freight charge collection, hazardous materials matters, commercial litigation, and various types of transportation related agreements and contractual disputes.
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Transportation Law - US
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Their continuing mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system.
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
FHWA is charged with the broad responsibility of ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be the safest and most technologically up-to-date.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000, pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (49 U.S.C. 113). Formerly a part of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. Activities of the Administration contribute to ensuring safety in motor carrier operations through strong enforcement of safety regulations.
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
The purpose of FRA is to: promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations; administer railroad assistance programs; conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy; provide for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service; and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities.
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
The FTA supports locally planned and operated public mass transit systems throughout the United States.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Mission: Save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through education, research, safety standards and enforcement activity.
- US Department of Transportation
The mission of the Department is to: Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
Department of Transportation by State
Transportation Law - Europe
- Activities of the European Uniom - Transport
Open frontiers and affordable transport have given Europeans unprecedented levels of personal mobility. Goods are shipped rapidly and efficiently from factory to customer, often in different countries. The European Union has contributed by opening national markets to competition and by removing physical and technical barriers to free movement.
- EU Transportation Law
Transport is one of the Community's foremost common policies. It is governed by Title V (Articles 70 to 80) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Since the Rome Treaty's entry into force in 1958, this policy has been focused on eliminating borders between Member States and to therefore contribute to the free movement of individuals and of goods. Its principal aims are to complete the internal market, ensure sustainable development, extend transport networks throughout Europe, maximise use of space, enhance safety and promote international cooperation.
- European Commission - Mobility and Transport
Well-functioning passenger and freight links are vital for European undertakings and citizens. EU transport policies aim at fostering clean, safe and efficient travel throughout Europe, underpinning the internal market of goods and the right of citizens to travel freely throughout the EU
Transportation Law - International
- ABA - International Transportation Committee
The work of Committee members addresses a wide range of international transportation issues affecting the transportation of goods by air, sea, road, rail or intermodal service. Committee projects and discussions, which are open to all committee members, focus on private international law and public international law to the extent both aspects of international law form an integral part of the international and national system of laws, regulations and agreements governing international transportation.
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
IATA is an international trade body, created over 60 years ago by a group of airlines. Today, IATA represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic. The organization also represents, leads and serves the airline industry in general.
- International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. We cover all modes of public transport: metro, bus, light rail, regional and suburban rail, and waterborne transport.
- International MultiModal Transport Association (IMMTA)
The objectives of the International Multimodal Transport Association are: * to act as a catalyst for the exchange of ideas and information on modern trade and multimodal transport technologies and logistics, including implications for the environment and development, and to arrange meetings thereon; * to act as a pool of experts on multimodal transport issues.
- International Road Transport Union (IRU)
The IRU, through its national associations, represents the entire road transport industry world-wide. It speaks for the operators of coaches, taxis and trucks, from large transport fleets to driver-owners. In all international bodies that make decisions affecting road transport, the IRU acts as the industry's advocate. By working for the highest professional standards, the IRU improves the safety record and environmental performance of road transport and ensures the mobility of people and goods. Among its practical services to the industry, the IRU is international guarantor of the TIR carnet system under which trucks are sealed by customs upon departure and can cross several borders without further checks until they reach their destinations.
- International Transportation Management Association (ITMA)
Based in Houston, Texas, and chartered by the State of Texas, the International Transportation Management Association (“ITMA”) is a member-driven organization for companies and people that are involved or interested in international transportation logistics.
Organizations Related to Transportation Law
- American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
The American Association of Port Authorities is a trade association which represents more than 160 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America
- American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)
Over 1,600 ATSSA members provide the majority of features, services and devices used to make our nation's roadways safer.
- American Trucking Association (ATA)
The mission of the American Trucking Associations, Inc., is: to serve and represent the interests of the trucking industry with one united voice; to influence in a positive manner Federal and State governmental actions; to advance the trucking industry’s image, efficiency, competitiveness, and profitability; to provide educational programs and industry research; to promote safety and security on our nation’s highways and among our drivers; and to strive for a healthy business environment.
- Community Transportation Association of America
A society that now includes a growing population of seniors needs new and expanded community transportation alternatives. Communities with staggering air quality problems and ground congestion need improved public and community transportation alternatives. Areas and communities that have been abandoned or which are in decline need public and community transportation options as part of their renewal efforts.
- National Industrial Transportation League
The National Industrial Transportation League was established in 1907 to represent shippers in their dealings with various regulatory bodies.
- National Safety Council (NCS)
Mission: To educate and influence people to prevent accidental injury and death.
- Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration Office
The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) is the Federal safety authority for ensuring the safe transport of hazardous materials (hazmat) by air, rail, highway, and water, with the exception of bulk transportation of hazmat by vessel. OHMS promulgates a national safety program to minimize the risks to life and property inherent in commercial transportation of hazardous materials.
- Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System
The Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System offers company safety data to industry and the public over the internet. Access is provided free of charge to the Company Snapshot, a concise electronic record of a company’s identification, size, commodity information, and safety record, including the safety rating (if any), a roadside out-of-service inspection summary, and crash information. The company snapshot is available via an ad-hoc query (one carrier at a time).
- Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
The Transportation Association of Canada is a national association with a mission to promote the provision of safe, secure, efficient, effective and environmentally and financially sustainable transportation services in support of Canada's social and economic goals.
Articles on HG.org Related to Transportation Law
- Federal Court of Justice Reported to Have Clarified the Characteristic of “Carelessness” in Transport Law - GermanyThe Federal Court of Justice (BGH), with its decision of 25 March 2004 (I ZR 205/01), is reported to have clarified the characteristic of "carelessness" of a freight carrier.
- No Claim of Indemnity for Benefits from a Transportation Insurance Policy - GermanyAccording to the view of the Federal Supreme Court, the clients of one of the market-leading money and transportation companies are apparently not entitled to claim indemnity.
- The Importance of Safety Ratings of CarsFor many people, appearance as well as performance has always been the first criteria for buying a new car. But do you know that the safety of the car is also extremely important? Just as this is a very important factor in buying a new car, it is also very important when buying a used car as well.
- What Can You do if Your License is Suspended – Can I Get a License From Another State?What can you do if your Pennsylvania driver’s license is suspended?
- Train Accidents and InjuriesSpeaking with a personal injury attorney in Denver is crucial if a train accident leads to injuries. A lawyer may help determine if negligence was the cause of the incident, which may lead to compensation.
- North Carolina Expands "Move Over" LawPerhaps the biggest change to motorist in North Carolina was the recent addition to the law commonly known as the “Move Over” law, requiring drivers to move over and slow down to the lane furthest from emergency vehicles. As of October 1, 2012, that law has dramatically expanded.
- Specific Missouri Laws That Apply to Cyclists and Bicycle AccidentsWhile the general motor vehicle laws apply in car accidents, there are additional Missouri statutes that may apply if the accident involves a cyclist or bicycle. The following is a list of the Missouri state statutes relevant to cyclists. 300.347. Riding bicycle on sidewalks, limitations – motorized bicycles prohibited.
- Road and Equipment DefectsBicycle and motorcycle accidents can be caused by factors beyond your control. If your bicycle or motorcycle accident-related injury was caused by a road or equipment defect, a Rhode Island motorcycle lawyer or Rhode Island bike lawyer will take different measures to help you seek compensation for your injuries.
- Will Positive Train Control Save Lives?After the horrific train accident of 2008 in Chatsworth, CA, Congress passed an act that would require all passenger trains to be outfitted with the Positive Train Control system (PTC) by 2015. The city of Los Angeles on the other hand has taken further initiative to make that requirement come true much earlier.
- Stopping Distances for Big RigsGenerally, at 65 mph the typical passenger car or light pickup truck driver will travel a total of 316 feet from the first awareness of danger before coming to a final stop. The semi-truck driver takes much longer traveling out 525 feet before coming to a final stop. In the reconstruction of a truck accident the stopping distance of the tractor–trailer can be a critical component.
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Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Motor Vehicles Law including: auto dealer fraud, automobile accidents, automotive, bus accidents, lemon law, motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accident, railroad accidents, rollover accident, traffic violations, trucking accident.



