Council on Transportation (COT)

The Delaware Council on Transportation (COT) is a nine-member board appointed by the Governor under 29 Del. C. § 8409. The Council includes residents from across Delaware with an interest in transportation and relevant professional or community experience. Members serve staggered three-year terms on a voluntary basis and represent all three counties, with at least two members from each county. State law also establishes eligibility requirements related to political balance and conflicts of interest.

Responsibilities of the Council

The Council serves in an advisory role to the Governor, the Secretary of Transportation, the Deputy Secretary, and DelDOT Division Directors. In addition to advising on transportation policy and other matters referred to it, the Council has several responsibilities established by state law:

• Adopts the Capital Transportation Program (CTP):
  The Council reviews DelDOT's proposed six-year Capital Transportation Program, conducts public meetings in each county, considers public comments, and formally adopts the program prior to its submission to the General Assembly. The Council may make priority changes during this process using DelDOT's established project prioritization methodology.
• Approves DelDOT's Transportation Priority Planning Process:
  The Council has final approval over the transportation priority planning process used by DelDOT to identify and prioritize transportation improvements, as established in 29 Del. C. § 8419.
• Approves Highway Alignments:
  The Council approves decisions involving the alignment of new highways and the realignment of existing highways after the required public process has been completed.
• Reviews Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity:
  The Council reviews and provides recommendations on DelDOT's decisions regarding the issuance, suspension, revocation, or reinstatement of certificates for public transportation carriers, including railroads, taxicabs, limousines, buses, and commercial carriers.