Need for Speed Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3906
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-13T15:14:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Need for Speed Act" (S. 3906) aims to address traffic congestion on U.S. roadways by requiring the Secretary of Transportation to create and maintain a national tool that integrates various data sources. This tool will help identify, analyze, and mitigate congestion through better-informed investments and operations, ultimately improving mobility, safety, and efficiency in transportation systems.
Key Provisions
- Development and Maintenance: The Secretary of Transportation must partner with a university-based transportation research institute experienced in areas like traffic mobility, safety, freight, and data integration to build and update the tool. The tool aligns data with a national roadway inventory database, such as the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS), for use by federal, state, local, and regional transportation entities.
- Core Functions: The tool identifies congestion locations, explains its causes, measures its effects (e.g., economic or safety impacts), and supports quick deployment of solutions like infrastructure investments or operational changes.
- Data Components: It incorporates publicly available data, including:
- Roadway inventory from HPMS.
- National speed data (operating speeds vs. posted limits) with at least 3 years of history for major public roads.
- Vehicle origin-destination data with 3 years of history.
- Crash and safety data.
- Road asset conditions (e.g., pavement quality).
- Freight details (e.g., commodity types, volumes).
- Truck parking availability.
- Federal performance measures for congestion, safety, and infrastructure.
- Existing tools like the FHWA's Freight Mobility Trends and Urban Congestion Report, or state-specific resources (e.g., Texas congestion assessments, Maryland truck parking tools).
- Other relevant data as deemed appropriate.
- Updates and Consultation: The tool must be updated at least annually. The Secretary will consult state transportation departments, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders during development.
- Funding: Authorizes $50 million from the Highway Trust Fund (excluding the Mass Transit Account) for 5 fiscal years, in addition to any other funding.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code (which covers research and technology in highways), by inserting a new section 506 after section 505. This adds a dedicated requirement for a national congestion tool, building on but expanding existing data systems like HPMS without altering their core structure.
- Introduces mandatory integration of diverse, publicly available datasets into a unified national resource, which was previously fragmented across federal, state, and academic tools.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will gain a centralized platform for data-driven decisions, potentially streamlining federal funding allocations for highway projects and reducing duplication in state-level efforts.
- On Citizens: Could lead to reduced traffic delays, improved road safety, and more efficient freight movement, benefiting daily commuters, truck drivers, and businesses reliant on timely deliveries. However, implementation might involve initial costs passed through taxes or fees.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced freight efficiency could indirectly support U.S. trade by improving domestic supply chains.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Agencies: DOT and FHWA, responsible for development and oversight.
- State and Local Governments: Departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and regional planning agencies, which will use the tool for local planning and congestion strategies.
- Research and Advocacy Groups: University institutes (e.g., those at Texas A&M or University of Maryland) for tool development; transportation advocacy organizations for input.
- Private Sector and Public: Freight companies, trucking industry (via parking and commodity data), and the general public benefiting from safer, less congested roads.
- Other Entities: Coalitions of public agencies and data providers contributing publicly available information.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on existing federal authority under title 23 for highway research and funding from the Highway Trust Fund, avoiding new taxes. The emphasis on publicly available data respects privacy by not mandating new collections from individuals. Annual updates ensure ongoing relevance without rigid timelines that could strain resources.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause powers to regulate interstate highways and promote national economic welfare, with no apparent conflicts to state sovereignty as it encourages voluntary state participation and consultation.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., by Sens. Cornyn and Alsobrooks) highlights potential for broad support in transportation policy. Authorizing specific funding could influence budget debates, promoting data-based infrastructure spending amid calls for efficiency in federal programs. No major controversies anticipated, as it focuses on technical integration rather than controversial mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-02-24: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Need for Speed Act — issued 2026-02-24 — PDF (6 pages)