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
Full steam ahead: How 50 years of deregulation revitalized US freight rail
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, better known as the 4R Act. For much…
News Release
Coalition urges Congress to reject freight rail regulation in transportation bill
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today sent a coalition letter to transportation committee chairs in Congress opposing the idea of imposing, as part of must-pass surface…
Blog
When airline competition gets squeezed, so do airline seats
Aircraft cabins are under more pressure than ever. With every inch of space accounted for, airlines are making increasingly visible choices about who gets how…
Search Posts
News Release
Trump Administration’s “Buy America” Plan Will Be Burdensome and Costly
President Trump unveiled more of his ideas on infrastructure priorities and reforms in a speech today. CEI transportation policy expert Marc Scribner praised some reforms the president proposed…
Blog
Vox.com Snookered by Debunked 2016 CBO Score of Air Traffic Control Reform
The Trump administration released its “legislative principles” for reforming U.S. air traffic control, which closely mirror a reform proposal introduced in 2016 by House Transportation…
CNS News
The TSA Delays Transatlantic Laptop Ban
On May 30, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it would not impose a ban on laptop computers in airline cabins on transatlantic…
News Release
Air Traffic Reform Plan from White House Earns CEI Praise
Today, the White House announced a plan to reform air traffic control in America. CEI transportation policy expert Marc Scribner, who attended today’s announcement at…
Blog
TSA Delays Transatlantic Laptop Ban, Which CEI Questioned in Petition
On May 31, the Secretary of Homeland Security said the TSA “might” still impose a ban on transatlantic flights in the future.
Blog
Canada’s Air Traffic Provider Announces Lowered Fees; U.S. Should Embrace Same Model
Since the Canadian government decided 20 years ago to spin off air traffic control from the nation’s transportation department, Nav Canada has seen its inflation-adjusted…
Blog
Rep. Meadows Introduces Transportation Performance-based Regulatory Reform Bill
Today, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced the Revamping American Infrastructure Act of 2017 (H.R. 2714), which aims to “facilitate the use of outcome-based performance…
RealClear Future
Straight Talk on the “Talking Car” Mandate
Will another driver’s car “talking” with yours someday save your life? The answer, from regulators and many automakers, is a resounding “Yes.” Such a promising…
The Hill
Transportation Department Faces Cuts Under Trump Budget
The Hill discusses President Trump’s proposed budget in terms of transportation with Marc Scribner. Funding for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and a…
News Release
CEI Reviews Trump Budget on Regulation, EPA, Transportation and Infrastructure
Policy experts offered their first takes on President Trump's budget, with a focus on regulatory reform, the EPA, and transportation and infrastructure reforms.
Politico
Morning Transportation Mailbag
Politico covers a coalition letter led by CEI urging lawmakers to allow an open bidding process on any infrastructure package. A coalition of…
Blog
Drone Hobbyist Defeats FAA’s Illegal Model Aircraft Registration Rule
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of Maryland attorney John Taylor, a drone hobbyist who challenged the…
Politico
Morning Transportation Mailbag
Politico Morning Transportation covers a coalition letter led by CEI urging the House Trasportation Committee to Supprt H.R. 1265 which would raise the Passenger Facility…
News Release
CEI Petitions DHS to Follow the Law: U.S. Aircraft Laptop Ban Must Go Through Public Notice and Comment
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently banned passengers from carrying electronic devices larger than a cell phone in the cabin on any nonstop flights…
Forbes
These Federal Aviation Administration Regulations Are Why We’re Not Going to Mars
During president Donald Trump’s discussion about drinking processed urine on the International Space Station with duration record-setter Peggy Whitson, the exchange turned to a…
Comment
Petition for Rulemaking on TSA Laptop Ban
View Full Document as PDF Dear Counsel: This is a rulemaking petition requesting that Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Transportation Security Administration…
Blog
CEI Leads Coalition Supporting DeFazio-Massie PFC Uncap Bill
Today, a coalition of free market groups sent a joint letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership urging them to support the “Investing…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter in Support of Rebuilding America’s Airports Infrastructure Act (H.R. 1265)
View Full Document as PDF Dear Chairmen Shuster and LoBiondo and Ranking Members DeFazio and Larsen: We write today in strong support…
The Hill
Why Does Air Travel Seem So Miserable?
The Hill discusses recent changes in the consumer experience of flying with Marc Scribner. Bloodied passengers getting dragged off flights. Airport brawls. Shrinking…
Letters
CEI Joins Coalition Letter Urging Responsibility in Upcoming Transportation and Infrastructure Spending
View Full Document as PDF Dear Senators and Representatives: On behalf of our organizations and the millions of Americans we represent, we…
Blog
Technology and Process Failures at TSA
The Transportation Security Administration has a history of tripping over itself to rush out technologies that are ill-considered and invasive.
Blog
California’s Proposed Automated Vehicle Regulations under Fire
Unless they cease attempting to involve their state in matters of federal responsibility, California’s politicians and bureaucrats will have blood on their hands.
Comment
CEI Comments to the California DMV on Autonomous Vehicle Regulations
View Full Document as PDF Dear Mr. Soublet, On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (“CEI”), I respectfully submit these comments in…
Law360
United Airlines Incident Highlights Limited Consumer Rights
Law360 discusses a United Airlines poor customer service incident with Marc Scribner. “It was clearly an example of really bad customer service on…
Law360
Amtrak Chases Priority Track After Regulatory Power Axed
Law360 discusses a federal statute that allows Amtrack to set performance and scheduling standards with Marc Scribner. “This court saw it correctly that…
Automotive News
Federal V2V Mandate Meets Growing Resistance
Automotive News discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology mandate with Marc Scribner. The failure to consider alternative technologies…
Bloomberg
Talking-Car Safety Mandate Hits Unexpected Pothole Of Opposition
Bloomberg discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed vehicle-to-vehicle communication mandate with Marc Scribner. The failure to consider alternative technologies is a…
Blog
In Wake of United Debacle, Give Airlines – and Travelers – More Flexibility
Most of the time it’s actually government policies that end up ruining a traveler’s day.
Los Angeles Times
Let Richard Branson Kill United Airlines
Los Angeles Times highlights Marc Scribner’s comments on how government policy has lead to poor airline service. Yes, airlines on the continent come…
Blog
CEI Submits Comments on Proposed Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications Mandate
Last week, CEI and a coalition of free-market organizations sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao asking her to temporarily suspend the current…
The Hill
Norquist Warns GOP: Don’t Link Taxes, Infrastructure
The Hill discusses with Marc Scribner coupling President Trump’s infrastructure plan with tax reform. Coupling Trump’s rebuilding plan with tax reform will only…
Comment
CEI Comments to NHTSA on Vehicle to Vehicle Communications
View Full Document as PDF On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (“CEI”), I respectfully submit these comments in response to the…
Blog
Want Better Airline Service? Deregulate to Enhance Competition
If American consumers wish to enjoy improved service quality in air travel, they should demand that Congress repeal 90 years of anti-competitive federal law.
Politico
The Complicated Status of Trump, Congress and Infrastructure
Politico’s Morning Transportation highlights CEI’s legal challenge of the Department of Transportation’s ban on electronic cigarette usage on airplanes. HOLY SMOKES: With the…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter Urging Department of Transportation to Suspend Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications Rulemaking
View Full Document as PDF Dear Secretary Chao: We write to you today to express our concern about a pending rulemaking before…
Blog
White House Reiterates Support for Air Traffic Control Reform
It’s time for members of Congress to set aside their petty differences and get to work on something truly transformative.
The Hill
Judge rail industry by performance, not processes
The Hill speaks with Marc Scribner on performance-based regulation as an alternative to inflexible standards for freight rail. As one example, the agency…
Blog
Transportation Safety Best Ensured by Performance Goals, Not Micromanaging
Transportation safety is a top priority in America, whether it’s passenger travel by air, rail, or vehicle or moving commercial freight where it needs to…
News Release
Report: Transportation Safety Gains Held Back By Red Tape
Transportation safety is a top priority, but future safety gains are held back by government red tape that stifles innovation and improvement, according to a…
Daily Caller
Report: Google Forced To Put Mirrors On Self-Driving Cars
The Daily Caller speaks with Marc Scribner on regulators improving transportation safety with safety performance goals rather than stifling red tape. Self-driving autos…
Politico
Trump signs order to end ‘crushing attack’ of Obama climate legacy
Politico discusses with Myron Ebell President Trump’s executive order to reverse some of the Obama administration’s climate change policies. But Trump has not ordered…
Study
Toward Performance-Based Transportation Safety Regulation
View Full Document as PDF Businesses and entrepreneurs have long complained about having to comply with unnecessarily rigid regulations that stress adherence…
The Hill
Trump jumps into air traffic control fight
The Hill discusses air traffic control reform with Marc Scribner. Another way Trump could be helpful, according to advocates of the spinoff plan,…
Wall Street Journal
For a Cost of Only $16 per Californian . . .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) writes that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to defer a $647 million federal grant for Caltrain electrification was “foolhardy”…
Blog
White House Budget Embraces Air Traffic Control Reform
The Trump administration proposes a 12.7 percent decrease in Department of Transportation spending. The most important cut is the administration’s embrace of air traffic control…
News Release
Trump White House Transportation Budget Earns CEI Praise on Air Traffic Control Reform
The White House this morning released its 2018 budget blueprint, which features a 12.7 percent decrease in Department of Transportation spending and reforms to the…
Blog
California’s Proposed Autonomous Vehicle Rules Could Be Improved
The California Department of Motor Vehicles published its proposed testing and deployment rules for automated vehicles.
Blog
Right and Wrong on Air Traffic Control Reform
Objections to privatizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic Organization contradict conservative principles or else have previously been debunked.
Blog
Improve Infrastructure Projects with Financing and Regulatory Reform
Financing and regulatory reform can help public and private investors get the most bang for their buck out of major new infrastructure projects.
Politico
What now for infrastructure?: Nope, he’s not done
Politico’s Morning Transportation highlights Marc Scribner’s comments on a passenger facility charge bill. On top of all that, DeFazio introduced a bill Wednesday…
Blog
Reps. DeFazio, Massie Introduce Smart Financing Legislation for Airports
New legislation from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) would improve the ability of airports to finance improvements to their facilities.
News Release
CEI Comments on President Trump’s Joint-Session Address to Congress
On February 28, 2017, President Donald J. Trump addressed a joint session of Congress. His speech reviewed the new administration’s recent initiatives and announced ways in which the White…
Washington Post
Last night, conservatives gave up on conservatism
The Washington Post discusses President Trump’s policy proposals from his address to a joint session of Congress with CEI President Kent Lassman. The…
Blog
Trump’s Address a Mixed Bag on Transportation and Infrastructure
President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, delivering a speech outlining many of his administration’s policy priorities and presenting a mixed bag for…
Blog
Policy Background on Trump’s Joint-Session Address to Congress
Here are five areas where the administration has the opportunity to implement valuable and much-needed reforms for the American people.
Blog
EPA Urged to Reconsider Last-Minute Obama Mileage Rules
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers petitioned Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt this week to re-evaluate greenhouse gas emission standards for new cars that were…
Inside Unmanned Systems
Nevada Bill Calls for Legalization of Self-Driving Cars
Inside Unmanned Systems discusses with Marc Scribner a proposed bill in Nevada that updates existing state traffic laws that would spur driverless vehicle testing. …
The Hill
Groups revive debate over passenger fees for airport upgrades
The Hill discusses the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) with Marc Scribner. But funding offsets for infrastructure upgrades have long remained elusive. The PFC…
Reason.com
Bad News: The Government Wants to ‘Help’ Driverless Car Companies
Reason.com discusses with Marc Scribner the U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposed rules on vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Plus, as Competitive Enterprise Institute researcher Marc Scribner…
Blog
Five Regulatory Heartbreaks on Valentine’s Day
Tomorrow we celebrate our significant other by showering them with affection and chocolate—but is government regulation getting in the way of your date night?…
Bloomberg BNA
Regulatory Chill May Pivot Connected Vehicle Tech’s Course
Bloomberg BNA discusses Department of Transportation’s proposed rule on vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology with Marc Scribner. “It sounded a lot better 10, 15 years ago…
Blog
Responding to More Distortions of Air Traffic Control Reform
Free-market transportation researchers strongly support the air traffic control reform.
Blog
Trump Not Bound by Obama Volkswagen Settlement with EPA
The judicial settlement which was reached between Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Justice last October infringes on President Trump’s Article II authority.
Blog
White House Should Revisit Volkswagen Settlement with EPA
A coalition of free-market groups ask President Trump to investigate the VW emissions settlement with the EPA.
Bloomberg BNA
Will Border Wall Bring Construction Jobs?
Bloomberg BNA discusses with Marc Scribner Trump’s executive order to construct a physical border. Trump signed an executive order indicating that it is…
Blog
Senate Democrats Cite Bogus Jobs Figures on ‘Infrastructure’ Plan
Senate Democrats unveiled a $1 trillion infrastructure blueprint, claiming the eventual legislation would create 15 million jobs over 10 years. The plan stretches the meaning…
News Release
Senate Democrats Offer High Cost, Low Value Spending Spree on Infrastructure
Competitive Enterprise Institute transportation expert Marc Scribner says the problem with the new Senate Democrat plan on infrastructure spending is that it’s focused on expensive…
Blog
Obama Highway Administration Released Troubling Vehicle Communications Guidance
Last Thursday, the outgoing Obama Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released its long-awaited guidance document on the deployment of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications.
Blog
Wasteful Spending, Minimum Wage Hike Fuel California Budget Deficit
California’s projected budget deficit is rising, but that could have been avoided by curtailing wasteful spending.
Blog
Transportation Inspector General: FAA Not Prepared for Major Airspace Disruptions
The Federal Aviation Administration’s airspace modernization efforts, known as NextGen, are woefully lacking.
News Release
CEI Supports Trump Transportation Secretary Nominee Elaine Chao
Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a nomination hearing for President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Transportation nominee, Elaine…
DC Velocity
For Elaine Chao, the easy part begins and ends tomorrow
DC Velocity discusses Elaine Chao’s nomination for Department of Transportation Secretary with Marc Scribner. Cost-benefit analysis will be the order of the day…
Real Clear Policy
Don’t Re-Regulate the Railroads
Real Clear Policy discusses policy on the railroad industry with Marc Scribner. Marc Scribner of the Competitive Enterprise Institute neatly summarized the implications…
Blog
115th Congress Should Halt Government Assault on Freight Rail
Forced reciprocal switching has been a goal for coal, petrochemical, and agriculture shippers for decades, but regulators have generally made it extremely difficult.
Blog
TSA Deserves a Lump of Coal
The TSA’s widely unpopular body scanners lead many would-be air travelers to take to the much more dangerous highways instead, where some number of them…
Blog
RealClear Radio Hour: City Extortion and Cities’ Heroine
In this episode of RealClear Radio Hour, Brian Hodges discusses West Hollywood’s extortion of local developers and Robert Kanigel shares stories of Great American Cities…
One News Now
Trump’s transportation pick in for a ride
One News Now discusses President-elect Trump’s pick for secretary of transportation with Marc Scribner. “No one really knows where that money is going…
Cato At Liberty
The Feds Want to Track Your Car
Cato At Liberty highlights a quote by Marc Scribner on regulating vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology. While the risks of mandatory V2V systems are significant,…
Wall Street Journal
Uber’s Clash With Regulators Moves to Self-Driving Cars
The Wall Street Journal discusses Uber’s use of self-driving cars in San Fransisco with Marc Scribner. “This is right out of the playbook…
New York Times
Friendlier Skies? (Letter to the Editor)
A Feb. 3 front-page article announced the welcome news that more airline competition is coming to Eastern markets, spurred by the entry of Southwest…
Blog
Can Congress Veto EPA’s Fuel Economy Rush Job?
The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent proposal to keep in place the agency’s model year greenhouse gas emission standards for new motor vehicles is the epitome…
Blog
How Ridesharing Platforms Help the Economy
We have been saying for a while that ridesharing platforms like Lyft are different from traditional transportation firms, not just in the technology they use,…
Ars Technica
Vehicle-to-vehicle communication rule finally proposed by the government
Ars Technica discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed rule on vehicle-to-vehicle communication with Marc Scribner. But not everyone is as enamored.
New York Times
Cars Talking to One Another? They Could Under Proposed Safety Rules
The New York Times discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed rule on vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology with Marc Scribner. The conservative Competitive…
Washington Post
Blind man sets out alone in Google’s driverless car
The Washington Post discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed rule on connected vehicle technology with Marc Scribner. The Competitive Enterprise Institute,…
The Hill
Feds unveil rule requiring cars to ‘talk’ to each other
The Hill discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed rule on connected vehicle technology with Marc Scribner. “It is extremely disappointing to…
Blog
Congress, Trump Administration Must Prioritize Air Traffic Control Reform
Earlier this year, an effort to usher in badly needed air traffic control reform spearheaded by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster died…
Politico
At long last, DOT proposes rule on in-flight calls
Politico's Morning Transportation highlights CEI's transportation policy proposals for the 115th Congress. The Competitive Enterprise Institute released its “agenda” for the next Congress…
Blog
A Pro-Growth Agenda for the 115th Congress
At CEI, we believe a clear agenda is necessary to move America toward economic growth, prosperity, and liberty for individuals to chart their own paths…
Blog
EPA Rushes to Lock in Obama Administration Fuel Economy Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency last Wednesday released its proposed Mid-Term Evaluation (MET) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for model year (MY) 2022-2025 passenger vehicles.
Products
Free to Prosper: Transportation
View the full chapter on Transportation here Mobility is one of our most important needs, one we often take for granted until it is…
Blog
Drain the Swamp: Sunset the Renewable Fuel Standard
“Draining the swamp” includes abolishing the RFS.
FastCompany Co.Design
The Privatized City Where Everything Is Tolled
Marc Scribner is quoted by Fast Company Co.Design on potential problems with a new infrastructure investment plan: "The most extreme thing Congress could…
Blog
Coalition Submits Comments on Federal Automated Vehicles Policy
Today, CEI was joined by R Street Institute and TechFreedom in comments submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the recently released…
Comment
CEI Comments to NHTSA on Automated Vehicles Policy
View Document as PDF On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (“CEI”), the R Street Institute (“R Street”), and TechFreedom, we respectfully…
The Hill
Industry weighs in on driverless car guidelines
The Hill reports on a letter CEI joined which flagged problems with regulators' guidance for automated vehicles. Meanwhile, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI),…
USA Today
Let the Market Take Care of Infrastructure
As the dust continues to settle from President-elect Donald Trump’s surprising victory, one idea is quickly gaining bipartisan currency in Washington: more infrastructure investment. House…
Inman
What does Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan mean for real estate?
Inman cites Marc Scribner on the latest call for more infrastructure investment. Not everyone agrees, however. “Instead of promoting expensive infrastructure…
Politico
Conservatives vs. Trump’s infrastructure plan
Politico quotes Marc Scribner on growing skepticism of new infrastructure spending. Trump’s proposal even drew flak from the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative…
Blog
The Great Infrastructure Myth
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to boost infrastructure investment by $1 trillion because there is supposedly an “infrastructure crisis.”…