As a state agency reporting to the Secretary of Transportation, DRPT works closely with VDOT, which is responsible for highways, as well as other transportation agencies responsible for aviation and ports. Each of DRPT's three primary areas of activity (rail, public transportation, and commuter services) focus on the movement of people and goods throughout Virginia.

Rail transportation involves the movement of people and goods on railways owned and operated by private railroad companies. There are more than a dozen railroad companies and services in Virginia, including Norfolk Southern, CSX, Amtrak, VRE, and nine shortline railroads. Freight rail programs help ensure the economic vitality of businesses and communities with a cost-effective, reliable way to bring goods to market, while passenger rail programs relieve congestion on highways and offer travelers more transportation choices. DRPT supports both passenger and freight rail initiatives through funding options, expert advice, research, and advocacy. To safeguard Virginia’s connections to the national rail network, DRPT represents the state’s interests in interstate and national rail issues.

Public Transportation systems help manage traffic congestion and provide transportation choices while safely transporting people to destinations across the Commonwealth. There are more than forty public transportation systems in Virginia that range in size from two-bus programs in small towns to larger regional systems like WMATA (Metrorail) in Northern Virginia and HRT in Hampton Roads. Some systems are fee-based, while others provide free access for the elderly and disabled. There are more than 50 human transportation services in Virginia. By advising, supporting and funding public transportation programs statewide, DRPT helps provide safe, reliable transportation options for everyone.

Commuter Services programs work to promote carpools, vanpools, telework and other alternative modes of transportation to Virginia’s commuters. These programs not only save people (and employers) time and money, they can also help manage traffic congestion and benefit the environment. DRPT currently partners with fifteen commuter service programs operating in the Commonwealth to provide people with information, business incentives, and ridematching services at no charge.