Overview

As the transportation landscape undergoes rapid shifts driven by new technologies and supply chain evolutions, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is committed to ensuring our national statistical resources remain relevant, accessible, and technically compatible with modern analytical workflows. Through a Request for Information (RFI) titled, “Shaping the Future of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics” BTS sought input on six focus areas:

1. Product Portfolio Alignment: Evaluating the alignment of the BTS product suite with public needs. 
2. Identifying Data Gaps: Identifying gaps in the national transportation picture.  
3. Data Utility & Application: Understanding the real-world impact of BTS products.
4. Data Architecture & Technical Integration: Modernizing how data is delivered and consumed.
5. User Experience (UX) & Discovery: Optimizing the experience for data seekers.
6. Strategic Future & Feedback Loop: Aligning BTS resources with long-term industry challenges. 

Request for Information (RFI): The public comment period for the RFI was open from June 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026. View the notice and public comments at https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOT-OST-2026-1387-0001

Informational Webinar

BTS hosted an informational webinar following the publication of its Request for Information (RFI) titled, "Shaping the Future of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics." During the webinar, BTS provided a walkthrough of the questions included in the notice and an overview of how comments will be used to guide future initiatives.

Recording: View the webinar recording at https://usdot.zoomgov.com/rec/share/u2vLXL4x2PRfCrNfewOkeW4t9Q72DJTlqgJXioB8mCCVoDbRqfAIryCpDwSV0pYg.qWPyNP_Z57UiAXli?startTime=1781715558000 (Passcode: riNs22@p).

Thematic Analysis & Results

Status: Under Review. BTS is reviewing all submissions to identify common themes and inform our long-term strategic plan.

What to Expect Next:

• A summary report highlighting major themes
• Updates on subsequent stakeholder engagement opportunities
   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Submission Mechanics

Q1: Can the public comment period for this Request for Information (RFI) be extended?
A: In direct response to feedback received from the public requesting additional time to prepare submissions, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) extended the comment period to July 31, 2026. View the extension notice at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12605. 

Q2: How do I formally submit a comment?
A: The RFI comment period closed on July 31, 2026. While formal submissions are no longer being accepted, our inbox remains open for any questions you may have about this effort. Reach out to us at BTSOutreach@dot.gov

Q3: Did commenters need to answer every single question or focus area in the notice for their submission to be considered?
A: No. BTS recognizes that different stakeholders have different domains of expertise. BTS encouraged commenters to focus their submissions on the specific topics that directly intersect with their organization’s mission, day-to-day workflows, or technical capabilities. 

Q4: Who is eligible to submit a response to this notice?
A: The RFI was open to the public. BTS welcomed a range of contributions from across the entire transportation and data community, including commercial operators, technical developers, regional planners, state and local government agencies, academic researchers, small business owners, and individual data seekers who rely on national transportation statistics.

Q5: I was unable to attend the live informational webinar on June 17th. Was it recorded?
A: Yes, the informational webinar was recorded. View the recording at https://usdot.zoomgov.com/rec/share/u2vLXL4x2PRfCrNfewOkeW4t9Q72DJTlqgJXioB8mCCVoDbRqfAIryCpDwSV0pYg.qWPyNP_Z57UiAXli?startTime=1781715558000 using Passcode: riNs22@p.

Engagement

Q6: Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
A: The BTS Outreach Team is available to assist you at any time. You can reach out to us directly via email at BTSOutreach@dot.gov

Q7: Our organization would like to share this effort with our professional network, members, or subscribers. Are there resources available to help us promote this?
A: Yes, you can share the link to our main RFI webpage at https://www.bts.gov/shaping-the-future, which includes links to the RFI notice, informational webinar recording, and the status of our comment analysis. You can also reach out to us at BTSOutreach@dot.gov and we’ll be happy to connect you with additional resources.

Q8: I write for an industry publication, host a podcast, or manage an association newsletter and would like to interview a BTS representative about this initiative. Who should I contact?
A: BTS welcomes the opportunity to engage with industry media, trade publications, and professional networks. If you would like to request an interview, secure a quote from leadership, or coordinate a briefing, please send your inquiry, publication details, and specific areas of interest directly to the BTS Outreach Team at BTSOutreach@dot.gov.

Q9: Will there be subsequent opportunities for public comment once BTS drafts its proposed long-term strategy?
A: The RFI is a foundational step in our modernization roadmap. BTS will evaluate all public comments and intends to provide subsequent opportunities for the public to review and engage with the findings.

Q10: What is the projected timeline for next steps and ongoing stakeholder discussions after the comment period closes?
A: Following the close of the comment window on July 31, 2026, BTS will begin a comprehensive analysis of the submitted feedback. BTS plans to compile findings, publish a summary report, and is considering engagement opportunities that will maintain an ongoing, two-way dialogue with the public.

Scope of Feedback

Q11: Should our recommendations assume BTS's current statutory mission and role remain unchanged, or can we propose broader structural and legislative shifts in the transportation data ecosystem?
A: While recommendations focused immediately on products, datasets, and technical services are highly actionable, BTS welcomed feedback on how our overall mission, strategic priorities, and foundational role within the national transportation data ecosystem should evolve over the next decade.

Q12: Does this initiative look at integrating or providing direction to non-BTS data sources into the BTS portfolio?
A: BTS invited recommendations on how we can better leverage, catalog, link, or ingest non-BTS datasets to build a more comprehensive, multi-layered picture of national transportation for our stakeholders.

Q13: For datasets created in collaboration with other modal administrations, what feedback is useful for BTS via this RFI versus what belongs with the individual mode?
A: For joint or co-created data products, BTS welcomed feedback concerning data utility, technical integration frameworks, metadata standards, and cross-modal analysis gaps. If feedback relates to regulations or funding structures specific to a single modal administration, BTS recommends continuing to direct those comments to specific modal agencies.

Q14: Where additional international data program coordination may affect the highlighted focus areas, can we recommend changes to those international activities?
A: BTS actively participates in international data coordination efforts. If international standards compatibility and data harmonization impacts your technical workflows, BTS welcomed those recommendations.