Who is head of transportation department? The United States Secretary of Transportation is the head of the United States Department of Transportation. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet. The current Secretary is Elaine Chao.What is the department of transportation responsible for? The Department of Transportation (DOT) is a cabinet-level agency of the federal government responsible for helping maintain and develop the nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure. From roads to airlines to railways, DOT carries out planning that supports the movement of Americans by cars, truck, trains, ships and planes.What does department of transportation mean? The Department of Transportation (DOT) is a pision of the United States federal government that is tasked with overseeing national transportation programs. This agency consists of several subpisions that oversee various segments of the nation's transportation system ranging from water and roadways to air traffic.