U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has been at the forefront of several significant developments in the last few days, particularly focusing on safety, infrastructure, and policy changes.

Secretary Duffy recently urged Washington, D.C. leaders to improve the safety and security of the city's transportation systems. In a series of letters, he addressed D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) CEO Randy Clarke. The letters emphasized the need to prioritize passenger security, crime reduction, and roadway safety, especially as workers return to offices. Duffy highlighted concerns over the District of Columbia's compliance with federal safety standards, including the safe operation of public roadways and the use of traffic control devices. He requested a detailed report from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to identify areas of non-compliance and proposed plans to address these issues[1][5].

Another key area of focus for Secretary Duffy is the reduction of crime on public transit. He directed WMATA to provide information on practices, expenditures, and initiatives related to safety and security, and to submit this information to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Duffy also stressed the importance of addressing fare evasion and reducing crime on the Washington Metro system to protect riders and workers[1].

In addition to these safety measures, Secretary Duffy has been involved in significant policy changes. He rescinded memorandums issued by the Biden Administration that had incorporated social justice and environmental agendas into infrastructure funding decisions. This move aligns with the current administration's policies and is seen as a shift away from the previous administration's priorities[5].

Furthermore, Duffy has issued directives to implement Executive Orders from President Trump, which include rescinding orders related to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, racial equity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. These directives also prioritize projects that use user-pay models, direct funding to local opportunity zones, and mitigate the impacts of U.S. DOT programs on families. The orders also specify preferences for communities with higher marriage and birth rates and prohibit vaccine and mask mandates[3].

The Secretary has also taken action on specific infrastructure projects. For instance, he terminated the approval for New York City’s Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP), a decision that reverses a previous agreement signed under the Value Pricing Pilot program[5].

In the context of disaster recovery, Duffy recently visited North Carolina and Tennessee to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and announced expedited federal support for the affected areas. This visit underscores the Department's commitment to supporting recovery efforts and ensuring the safety and resilience of transportation infrastructure[5].

Overall, Secretary Duffy's recent actions reflect a strong emphasis on safety, compliance with federal standards, and alignment with the current administration's policies, while also addressing critical infrastructure and disaster recovery needs.