National Transportation Library NTL US Department of Transportation

History and Founding

The National Transportation Library (NTL) was established in 1998 by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21, P.L. 105-178) as part of the US Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). It is distinguished as the only "born digital" national library among the United States' five national libraries. Its authorized role was expanded in 2012 by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which designated NTL as the central clearinghouse for federal transportation data and information.

Collections and Holdings

NTL's primary digital repository is the Repository and Open Science Access Portal (ROSA P), which houses full-text publications, datasets, and research from DOT agencies, state departments of transportation, local and tribal road agencies, university transportation programs, and other transportation-related organizations. The NTL Archives collects analog materials of historical significance, including books, journals, newspapers, maps, manuscripts, ephemeral materials, film, and video. Historic collections include Civil Aeronautics Board accident reports dating from 1934 to 1965, railroad accident investigation records, and formal documents signed by previous Secretaries of Transportation. The archives also hold records of predecessor agencies such as the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Bureau of Public Roads.

Notable Holdings

NTL provides access to a curated Transportation and Climate Change Collection and a growing collection of digitized legacy DOT publications. NTL staff participate on the Transportation Research Board's Information and Knowledge Management Committee. After the DOT headquarters library closed in October 2020, NTL absorbed many of its subscription database contracts used by DOT staff.

Access and Usage

NTL's digital collections and the ROSA P repository are freely accessible online. The NTL Archives offers an Ask-a-Librarian virtual reference service and research support to DOT employees, academic researchers, and the general public. NTL coordinates the National Transportation Knowledge Network (NTKN), a voluntary alliance of transportation information organizations.