Here’s How We Will Grade the Next Surface Reauthorization Bill

Key Takeaways

• T4America will score the bill on three core principles
• Safety targets must be mandatory, with funding tied to results
• Maintenance funding requires proof of long‑term upkeep capability
• Bill must expand transit, rail, and EV charging programs
• Autonomous vehicle data transparency will be a grading criterion

Pulse Analysis

The surface transportation reauthorization is approaching as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) nears its September expiration. After $1.5 trillion of federal spending over 30 years, policymakers face pressure to demonstrate tangible outcomes rather than simply allocating more money. Transportation for America (T4America) is stepping in with a transparent scorecard that will evaluate the next bill against measurable goals, signaling to lawmakers that accountability will be a prerequisite for funding approval.

T4America’s rubric hinges on three principles. First, "safety over speed" requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to set explicit road‑safety targets, with any shortfall redirecting flexible grant money toward proven safety projects. Second, "fix it first" demands that any new capacity expansion be paired with a credible, long‑term maintenance plan, reflecting the $231.4 billion annual cost needed to keep the current network in acceptable condition. The organization also pushes for autonomous‑vehicle transparency, urging public reporting of collisions and a pricing model to deter empty‑car traffic. Finally, "invest in the rest" calls for robust federal support for transit operations, passenger‑rail expansion, and a more flexible electric‑vehicle charging program, addressing the historic bias toward highway construction.

If Congress embraces T4America’s criteria, the reauthorization could shift federal transportation policy toward outcomes that matter to voters: safer streets, preserved infrastructure, and diversified mobility options. Such a shift would not only protect taxpayer dollars but also align the nation’s transport system with climate goals and emerging technologies. By publicly grading the bill, T4America aims to create a benchmark that future legislators will reference, potentially making the next surface transportation law a model for results‑driven infrastructure spending.