Air travel and rail transport were early examples of deregulation bringing huge benefits to consumers and industries. Yet automobility, air travel, and freight rail, are increasingly threatened with further regulation that will reduce their ability to transport goods and people. CEI opposes these attacks by arguing for greater freedom in mobility and opposing perverse transportation industry regulations.
Transportation Issue Areas
Featured Posts
Blog
Privatize a little, fix a little: Why Trump’s TSA contracting plan is not meaningful privatization
If this latest Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has confirmed anything, it is how deeply structural the drawbacks of the Transportation Security Administration…
Blog
From airport security lines to the Danger Zone: TSA delays and public safety
The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) staffing shortfall is creating more than long lines. It may already be putting travelers’ lives at risk. Since the partial…
News Release
Shutdown underscores the need for privatized airport security
A partial shutdown stretching beyond 40 days is a reminder that when government controls essential services, those services can easily become tools of political leverage,…
Search Posts
Blog
Rideshare Drivers’ Future at Stake in Seattle
Recent events represent an existential threat to ridesharing in Seattle, and put drivers, passengers, and communities at risk of serious harm.
Blog
CEI Leads Coalition Urging Senators to Preserve Railroad Deregulation
The Senate Commerce Committee leadership should respect the indisputable gains of deregulation.
Greenwire
Harvey Amplifies Partisan Debate Over Flood, Zoning Rules
Greenwire discusses Houston zoning laws with Marc Scribner. Did regulations help Houston weather the impact of Hurricane Harvey, or did they hinder the city’s…
The Guardian
Self-Driving Cars Must Have Technology to Prevent Use in Terror, Lawmakers Say
The Guardian discusses the House’s passage of the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. Self-driving vehicles will need to be equipped with cybersecurity…
Ars Technica
House Passes Law to Accelerate Adoption of Self-Driving Technology
Ars Technica discusses the House’s passage of the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation…
The New York Times
Self-Driving Cars’ Prospects Rise With Vote by House
The New York Times discusses the House’s passage of the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. Lawmakers in the House took a major…
News Release
CEI-Led Coalition Opposes Price Controls on Freight Railroads
Today, a coalition of free market groups led by the Competitive Enterprise Institute sent a letter to Senate Commerce Committee and Surface Transportation Subcommittee leaders…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter on Reciprocal Switching
View Full Document as PDF Dear Chairman Thune, Chair Fischer, and Ranking Members Nelson and Booker: As you return to work following…
News Release
CEI Commends Congress for Supporting Self-Driving Car Technology
Self-driving cars can offer consumers massive safety and mobility benefits. The SELF DRIVE Act isn't perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction.
Blog
SELF DRIVE Act to Face House Floor Vote
Congress needs to move forward on self-driving cars.
Washington Examiner
No, Houston’s Regulation Policy Didn’t Make Hurricane Harvey Flooding Worse
When a major American city is under eight feet of water, it’s a distasteful time to play politics. That hasn’t stopped multiple media commentators looking…
Washington Examiner
Blame Harvey’s Torrential Rain, Not Development, for Massive Flooding, Planning Experts Say
Washington Examiner discusses development in Houston in regards to Hurrican Harvey with Marc Scribner. Houston’s relaxed approach to development should not be blamed for…
Investor's Business Daily
With Angry Politics Dominating, Trump’s Smart Infrastructure Reforms Go Almost Unnoticed
Investor’s Business Daily cites 10,000 Commandments while Talking about President Trump’s infrastructure plan. Reform: Lost amid all the political name-calling last week, President…
Blog
Conservative Air Traffic Control Reform Opponents Continue Campaign of Falsehoods
Recently, I noted how corporate jet lobby National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) had attempted to trot out “Hero of the Hudson” Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger…
Blog
Will Politicians Let Unsubsidized Bike Share Compete?
The problem with monopoly bike-share contracts is that they are designed to benefit everyone except consumers and taxpayers.
Deseret News
Task Force Considering New Revenue Models for Transportation Infrastructure
Deseret News covers Marc Scribner’s testimony before the Utah Transportation Governance and Funding Task Force. Utah lawmakers are trying to account for potential…
Blog
Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards Are Inefficient: Study
The federal government’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program is a highly inefficient method for reducing either motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions or U.S. oil…
Blog
EPA to Revise Greenhouse Gas Rules for Refurbished Trucks
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt this week approved a petition to revise the agency’s heavy truck greenhouse gas emission standards rule.
Blog
More on ‘Sully’ and Private Jet Air Traffic Control Subsidies
Despite his status in public life, Sully does not represent the interests of American air travelers and is out of step with current airline pilots,…
Blog
What Is the Future of Surface Transportation Finance and Governance?
The fuel tax is becoming an increasingly unstable source of dedicated user revenue.
Salt Lake Tribune
Will Self-Driving Cars, Taxis Make Mass Transit Obsolete?
The Salt Lake Tribune covers Marc Scribner’s testimony before the Transportation Governance and Funding Task Force in Utah. Utah officials have long planned…
Comment
Testimony of Marc Scribner Before the Utah Transportation Governance and Funding Task Force
View Full Document as PDF Chairs Harper and Schultz, and members of the task force, thank you giving me the opportunity to…
The Hill
Senators Eye Ticket Fee to Overhaul Airports
The Hill covers the Senate’s attempt to raise the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) cap for airports and CEI’s endorsement of the measure. President…
Blog
‘Sully’ Wrong on Air Traffic Control Reform
We urge Sully to do his homework and to critically assess the false, anti-consumer claims he is parroting on behalf of the corporate jet lobby.
Ars Technica
You Still Cannot Vape on US Inbound, Outbound Flights
True Viral News covers CEI’s objection to a DOT ban on electronic cigarettes on flights. A divided federal appeals court is upholding a…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Airport Ticket Fee Boost Gets Lift in Congress
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covers CEI’s support of increasing the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) cap. Airports including Atlanta’s are pushing for an increase in…
Blog
California Legislature Moves to Replace Federal Electric Vehicle Subsidies
Thanks to the federal government, purchasers of electric vehicles are given a $7,500 tax credit.
Blog
Time to Fix our Nation’s Aviation Systems
The time to systemically improve our nation’s aviation infrastructure is now.
Blog
House Energy & Commerce Committee Considers Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation
This bill improves on the definition of “automated driving system” in a manner that likely ensures its constitutionality.
Blog
Senate Appropriations Committee to Consider Airport Fee Increase
The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider a provision that would increase the airport passenger facility charge cap from $4.50 to $8.
Bloomberg BNA
Cybersecurity Questions Swirl Around Autonomous Vehicle Bills
Bloomberg BNA discusses autonomous vehicle regulations with Marc Scribner. The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to mark up a bill July 27…
The Fix
Vaping Ban Upheld By Federal Court
The Fix discusses the Department of Transportation e-cigarette ban with Sam Kazman. A federal court has stamped out a challenge to the Department of…
Blog
Does the Car of the Future Require a “Talking Car” Mandate?
The Competitive Enterprise Institute is hosting an event later today where a proposal to require all new cars in the United States come outfitted…
Bloomberg
‘No Smoking’ Also Applies to E-Cigarettes on Flights, Court Says
Bloomberg covers a lawsuit CEI filed against the Department of Transportation airplane e-cigarette ban. Vaping is smoking, a federal appeals court ruled, upholding…
The Hill
Court Upholds Obama Rule Banning Vaping on Airplanes
The Hill covers a lawsuit filed by CEI against the Department of Transportation’s airplane vaping ban. A federal appeals court Friday upheld an…
The Wall Street Journal
Courts Rule E-Cigarettes Should Be Regulated Like Tobacco Products
The Wall Street Journal covers a lawsuit filed by CEI challenging the Department of Transportation’s ban on vaping on airplanes. A federal court…
Freight Waves
Today’s Pickup: State Laws May Limit Potential of Platoons
Freight Waves covers Marc Scribner’s Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning: A Guide for State Legislators, 2017 Edition. While platooning vehicles are close to real-world operation,…
Trucks.com
Hodgepodge of Traffic Laws Could Stymie Truck Platooning
Trucks.com discusses automated vehicle platooning with Marc Scribner, author of Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning: A Guide for State Legislators, 2017 Edition. Truck platooning,…
FleetOwner
Report: State Laws Need Changing to Support Platooning, AVs
FleetOwner discusses automated vehicle platooning with Marc Scribner, author of Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning: A Guide for State Legislators, 2017 Edition. Among…
Blog
Reform State Vehicle Codes to Enable Automated Vehicle Platooning
In the future, automated platooning will allow roadway capacity enhancements without costly physical roadway expansions.
Study
Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning, 2017 Edition
View Full Document as PDF Automated vehicles have captured the public’s imagination in recent years following successful on-road demonstrations by developers such…
Blog
Resources for Federal Aviation Reform
The United States’ aviation system needs a deep, institutional overhaul.
Washington Examiner
Air Traffic Control Reform Is a No-Brainer
Air travelers expect air traffic control to work, and that it be out of sight and mind. Unfortunately, ongoing government failure to modernize the Federal…
The Regulatory Review
Constructively Improving Railroad Regulations
Edward R. Hamberger, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, mentions a piece by Fred Smith and Marc Scribner regarding regulations of the…
Blog
2017 Competitive Enterprise Dinner Keynote: Elaine Chao
Remarks delivered by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao at CEI’s “Through the Looking Glass” Annual Dinner & Reception.
Blog
Will the Swamp Let Trump Reform Fuel Economy?
The administration should explore the legal implications of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which prohibits states, like California, from adopting or enforcing laws or…
Paul Molloy Show
AUDIO: Marc Scribner discusses air traffic control on the Paul Molloy Show
June 21, 2017 – CEI senior fellow Marc Scribner discusses air traffic control on the Paul Molloy Show. Listen here.
Law360
Senate, House Panels Unveil Dueling FAA Funding Bills
CEI Senior Fellow Marc Scribner discusses air traffic control reform with Law360: Supporters of an air traffic control overhaul say the House bill…
Fox Business Network
VIDEO: Jim Harper Discusses the TSA’s new book policy on Fox Business
June 26, 2017 – Jim Harper, Vice President of CEI, discusses a new TSA policy requiring passengers to exclude books from carry-ons on Fox Business’…
Blog
Congress Should Embrace Airport Financing Reforms
Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a markup on its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The Senate Commerce Committee is considering…