The Secretary of Transportation is the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Responsibilities of the Secretary include initiating formation of national transportation.htm policies, negotiating international transportation.htm agreements, assuring the workings of the nation’s airlines and preparing transportation.htm legislation and research. Departments falling under the Department of Transportation include the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). One of the most famous programs initiated by the Department of Transportation was the 1965 Highway Beautification Act, which reduced the number of visible junkyards, and encouraged the planting of forests and groves of flowers along highways. It also allowed for the erection of unlimited billboards which many believe has underminded the Act’s original purpose. In addition, the act provided taxpayer funds to pay factories and corporations to reduce emissions.

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