Unfortunately, federal infrastructure policy and programs have not modernized to meet the five major challenges facing the U.S. transportation system: major injuries and fatalities, climate change, congestion, unequal economic opportunity, and crumbling facilities.

Transportation in the US in 2026 faces a "triad of pressures": aging infrastructure, historic labor shortages, and skyrocketing insurance costs. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has funded many repairs, the national grid and highway systems still struggle with the frequency of climate-related disasters, leading to "cascading delays" during storms. The trucking industry is particularly hit hard by a driver turnover rate exceeding 90%, exacerbated by new DOT language requirements that have sidelined non-English speaking drivers. Furthermore, "nuclear verdicts" in litigation have caused auto liability premiums to rise by over 20% in the last year alone. In urban centers, mass transit ridership in 2026 still hasn't fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, creating a "death spiral" of reduced service and falling revenue. This has forced a greater reliance on personal vehicles, which contributes to congestion and further stresses the already brittle national highway system.