CHAPTER 5—RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION

        

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior chapter 5, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 830, consisting of sections 501 to 512, related to highway relocation assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903. See section 4601 et seq. of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For Effective Date of Repeal and Savings Provisions, see sections 221 and 220(b) of Pub. L. 91–646, set out as notes under sections 4601 and 4621, respectively, of Title 42.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13009(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 644, added item 520.

2015—Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §§6010(b), 6019(d)(1)(B), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1568, 1581, struck out item 508 "Transportation research and development strategic planning", substituted "National ITS program plan" for "National ITS Program Plan" in item 512, and added item 519.

2012—Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §§52002(b), 52003(b), 52006(b), 52007(b), 52008(b), title III, §§53002(b), 53003(b), 53004(b), 53005(b), 53006(b), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 872, 880, 882, 899, 901-903, 905, substituted "Surface transportation research, development, and technology" for "Surface transportation research" in item 502 and "Research and technology development and deployment" for "Technology deployment program" in item 503, struck out items 506 "International highway transportation outreach program", 507 "Surface transportation environment and planning cooperative research program", and 509 "National cooperative freight transportation research program", and added items 514 to 518.

2008—Pub. L. 110–244, title I, §111(b)(2)(B), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1605, amended Pub. L. 109–59, §5210. See 2005 Amendment note below.

2005—Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5210(c), formerly §5210(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1804, as renumbered by Pub. L. 110–244, title I, §111(b)(2)(B), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1605, added item 510.

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §§5201(a)(2), 5207(c), 5208(b), 5209(c), 5211(c), 5301(b), 5302(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1781, 1798, 1799, 1801, 1804, 1805, substituted "RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION" for "RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY" in chapter heading, "Surface transportation environment and planning cooperative research program" for "Surface transportation-environment cooperative research program" in item 507, "Transportation research and development strategic planning" for "Surface transportation research strategic planning" in item 508, and added items 509 and 511 to 513.

§501. Definitions

In this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) Federal laboratory.—The term "Federal laboratory" includes a Government-owned, Government-operated laboratory and a Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory.

(2) Incident.—The term "incident" means a crash, natural disaster, workzone activity, special event, or other emergency road user occurrence that adversely affects or impedes the normal flow of traffic.

(3) Innovation lifecycle.—The term "innovation lifecycle" means the process of innovating through—

(A) the identification of a need;

(B) the establishment of the scope of research to address that need;

(C) setting an agenda;

(D) carrying out research, development, deployment, and testing of the resulting technology or innovation; and

(E) carrying out an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the resulting technology or innovation.

(4) Intelligent transportation infrastructure.—The term "intelligent transportation infrastructure" means fully integrated public sector intelligent transportation system components, as defined by the Secretary.

(5) Intelligent transportation system.—The terms "intelligent transportation system" and "ITS" mean electronics, photonics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system.

(6) National architecture.—For purposes of this chapter, the term "national architecture" means the common framework for interoperability that defines—

(A) the functions associated with intelligent transportation system user services;

(B) the physical entities or subsystems within which the functions reside;

(C) the data interfaces and information flows between physical subsystems; and

(D) the communications requirements associated with the information flows.

(7) Project.—The term "project" means an undertaking to research, develop, or operationally test intelligent transportation systems or any other undertaking eligible for assistance under this chapter.

(8) Safety.—The term "safety" includes highway and traffic safety systems, research, and development relating to vehicle, highway, driver, passenger, bicyclist, and pedestrian characteristics, accident investigations, communications, emergency medical care, and transportation of the injured.

(9) Standard.—The term "standard" means a document that—

(A) contains technical specifications or other precise criteria for intelligent transportation systems that are to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics so as to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for the intended purposes of the materials, products, processes, and services; and

(B) may support the national architecture and promote—

(i) the widespread use and adoption of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States; and

(ii) interoperability among intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the States.

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5101(2), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 422; amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52001, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 865.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 501, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 830, related to declaration of policy as to highway relocation assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pars. (2) to (9). Pub. L. 112–141 added pars. (2) to (7), redesignated former par. (2) as (8), and added par. (9).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Authorization of Appropriations

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6002, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1561, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The following amounts are authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account):

"(1) Highway research and development program.—To carry out section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code, $125,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

"(2) Technology and innovation deployment program.—To carry out section 503(c) of title 23, United States Code—

"(A) $67,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;

"(B) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2017;

"(C) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2018;

"(D) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; and

"(E) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2020.

"(3) Training and education.—To carry out section 504 of title 23, United States Code, $24,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

"(4) Intelligent transportation systems program.—To carry out sections 512 through 518 of title 23, United States Code, $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

"(5) University transportation centers program.—To carry out section 5505 of title 49, United States Code—

"(A) $72,500,000 for fiscal year 2016;

"(B) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;

"(C) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;

"(D) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; and

"(E) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2020.

"(6) Bureau of transportation statistics.—To carry out chapter 63 of title 49, United States Code, $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

"(b) Administration.—The Federal Highway Administration shall—

"(1) administer the programs described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a); and

"(2) in consultation with relevant modal administrations, administer the programs described in subsection (a)(4).

"(c) Applicability of Title 23, United States Code.—Funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall—

"(1) be available for obligation in the same manner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out using those funds shall be 80 percent, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act [div. A of Pub. L. 114–94, see Tables for classification] (including the amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined by the Secretary [of Transportation]; and

"(2) remain available until expended and not be transferable, except as otherwise provided in this Act."

§502. Surface transportation research, development, and technology

(a) Basic Principles Governing Research and Technology Investments.—

(1) Applicability.—The research, development, and technology provisions of this section shall apply throughout this chapter.

(2) Coverage.—Surface transportation research and technology development shall include all activities within the innovation lifecycle leading to technology development and transfer, as well as the introduction of new and innovative ideas, practices, and approaches, through such mechanisms as field applications, education and training, communications, impact analysis, and technical support.

(3) Federal responsibility.—Funding and conducting surface transportation research and technology transfer activities shall be considered a basic responsibility of the Federal Government when the work—

(A) is of national significance;

(B) delivers a clear public benefit and occurs where private sector investment is less than optimal;

(C) supports a Federal stewardship role in assuring that State and local governments use national resources efficiently;

(D) meets and addresses current or emerging needs;

(E) addresses current gaps in research;

(F) presents the best means to align resources with multiyear plans and priorities;

(G) ensures the coordination of highway research and technology transfer activities, including through activities performed by university transportation centers;

(H) educates transportation professionals; or

(I) presents the best means to support Federal policy goals compared to other policy alternatives.

(4) Role.—Consistent with these Federal responsibilities, the Secretary shall—

(A) conduct research;

(B) partner with State highway agencies and other stakeholders as appropriate to facilitate research and technology transfer activities;

(C) communicate the results of ongoing and completed research;

(D) lead efforts to coordinate national emphasis areas of highway research, technology, and innovation deployment;

(E) leverage partnerships with industry, academia, international entities, and State departments of transportation;

(F) lead efforts to reduce unnecessary duplication of effort; and

(G) lead efforts to accelerate innovation delivery.

(5) Program content.—A surface transportation research program shall include—

(A) fundamental, long-term highway research;

(B) research aimed at significant highway research gaps and emerging issues with national implications; and

(C) research related to all highway objectives seeking to improve the performance of the transportation system.

(6) Stakeholder input.—Federal surface transportation research and development activities shall address the needs of stakeholders. Stakeholders include States, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, tribal governments, the private sector, researchers, research sponsors, and other affected parties, including public interest groups.

(7) Competition and peer review.—Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Secretary shall award, to the maximum extent practicable, all grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for research and development under this chapter based on open competition and peer review of proposals.

(8) Performance review and evaluation.—

(A) In general.—To the maximum extent practicable, all surface transportation research and development projects shall include a component of performance measurement and evaluation.

(B) Performance measures.—Performance measures shall be established during the proposal stage of a research and development project and shall, to the maximum extent possible, be outcome-based.

(C) Program plan.—To the maximum extent practicable, each program pursued under this chapter shall be part of a data-driven, outcome-oriented program plan.

(D) Availability of evaluations.—All evaluations under this paragraph shall be made readily available to the public.

(9) Technological innovation.—The programs and activities carried out under this section shall be consistent with the transportation research and development strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49.

(b) General Authority.—

(1) Research, development, and technology transfer activities.—The Secretary may carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities with respect to—

(A) motor carrier transportation;

(B) all phases of transportation planning and development (including construction, operation, transportation system management and operations, modernization, development, design, maintenance, safety, financing, and traffic conditions); and

(C) the effect of State laws on the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(2) Tests and development.—The Secretary may test, develop, or assist in testing and developing any material, invention, patented article, or process.

(3) Cooperation, grants, and contracts.—The Secretary may carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities related to transportation—

(A) independently;

(B) in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and Federal laboratories; or

(C) by making grants to, or entering into contracts and cooperative agreements with one or more of the following: the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, any Federal laboratory, Federal agency, State agency, authority, association, institution, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, organization, foreign country, or any other person.

(4) Technological innovation.—The programs and activities carried out under this section shall be consistent with the transportation research and development strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49.

(5) Funds.—

(A) Special account.—In addition to other funds made available to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use such funds as may be deposited by any cooperating organization or person in a special account of the Treasury established for this purpose.

(B) Use of funds.—The Secretary shall use funds made available to carry out this chapter to develop, administer, communicate, and promote the use of products of research, development, and technology transfer programs under this chapter.

(6) Pooled funding.—

(A) Cooperation.—To promote effective utilization of available resources, the Secretary may cooperate with a State and an appropriate agency in funding research, development, and technology transfer activities of mutual interest on a pooled funds basis.

(B) Secretary as agent.—The Secretary may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants as the agent for all participating parties in carrying out such research, development, or technology transfer activities.

(C) Transfer of amounts among states or to federal highway administration.—The Secretary may, at the request of a State, transfer amounts apportioned or allocated to that State under this chapter to another State or the Federal Highway Administration to fund research, development, and technology transfer activities of mutual interest on a pooled funds basis.

(D) Transfer of obligation authority.—Obligation authority for amounts transferred under this subsection shall be disbursed in the same manner and for the same amount as provided for the project being transferred.

(7) Prize competitions.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary may use up to 1 percent of the funds made available under section 51001 of the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012 to carry out a program to competitively award cash prizes to stimulate innovation in basic and applied research and technology development that has the potential for application to the national transportation system.

(B) Topics.—In selecting topics for prize competitions under this paragraph, the Secretary shall—

(i) consult with a wide variety of governmental and nongovernmental representatives; and

(ii) give consideration to prize goals that demonstrate innovative approaches and strategies to improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the national transportation system.

(C) Advertising.—The Secretary shall encourage participation in the prize competitions through advertising efforts.

(D) Requirements and registration.—For each prize competition, the Secretary shall publish a notice on a public website that describes—

(i) the subject of the competition;

(ii) the eligibility rules for participation in the competition;

(iii) the amount of the prize; and

(iv) the basis on which a winner will be selected.

(E) Eligibility.—An individual or entity may not receive a prize under this paragraph unless the individual or entity—

(i) has registered to participate in the competition pursuant to any rules promulgated by the Secretary under this section;

(ii) has complied with all requirements under this paragraph;

(iii)(I) in the case of a private entity, is incorporated in, and maintains a primary place of business in, the United States; or

(II) in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;

(iv) is not a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of his or her employment; and

(v) has not received a grant to perform research on the same issue for which the prize is awarded.

(F) Liability.—

(i) Assumption of risk.—

(I) In general.—A registered participant shall agree to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from participation in a competition, whether such injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.

(II) Related entity.—In this subparagraph, the term "related entity" means a contractor, subcontractor (at any tier), supplier, user, customer, cooperating party, grantee, investigator, or detailee.

(ii) Financial responsibility.—A participant shall obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility, in amounts determined by the Secretary, for claims by—

(I) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage, or loss resulting from an activity carried out in connection with participation in a competition, with the Federal Government named as an additional insured under the registered participant's insurance policy and registered participants agreeing to indemnify the Federal Government against third party claims for damages arising from or related to competition activities; and

(II) the Federal Government for damage or loss to Government property resulting from such an activity.

(G) Judges.—

(i) Selection.—Subject to clause (iii), for each prize competition, the Secretary, either directly or through an agreement under subparagraph (H), may appoint 1 or more qualified judges to select the winner or winners of the prize competition on the basis of the criteria described in subparagraph (D).

(ii) Selection.—Judges for each competition shall include individuals from outside the Federal Government, including the private sector.

(iii) Limitations.—A judge selected under this subparagraph may not—

(I) have personal or financial interests in, or be an employee, officer, director, or agent of, any entity that is a registered participant in a prize competition under this paragraph; or

(II) have a familial or financial relationship with an individual who is a registered participant.

(H) Administering the competition.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competition, subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

(I) Funding.—

(i) In general.—

(I) Private sector funding.—A cash prize under this paragraph may consist of funds appropriated by the Federal Government and funds provided by the private sector.

(II) Government funding.—The Secretary may accept funds from other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations for a cash prize under this paragraph.

(III) No special consideration.—The Secretary may not give any special consideration to any private sector entity in return for a donation under this subparagraph.

(ii) Availability of funds.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts appropriated for prize awards under this paragraph—

(I) shall remain available until expended; and

(II) may not be transferred, reprogrammed, or expended for other purposes until after the expiration of the 10-year period beginning on the last day of the fiscal year for which the funds were originally appropriated.

(iii) Savings provision.—Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to permit the obligation or payment of funds in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1341).

(iv) Prize announcement.—A prize may not be announced under this paragraph until all the funds needed to pay out the announced amount of the prize have been appropriated by a governmental source or committed to in writing by a private source.

(v) Prize increases.—The Secretary may increase the amount of a prize after the initial announcement of the prize under this paragraph if—

(I) notice of the increase is provided in the same manner as the initial notice of the prize; and

(II) the funds needed to pay out the announced amount of the increase have been appropriated by a governmental source or committed to in writing by a private source.

(vi) Congressional notification.—A prize competition under this paragraph may offer a prize in an amount greater than $1,000,000 only after 30 days have elapsed after written notice has been transmitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.

(vii) Award limit.—A prize competition under this section may not result in the award of more than $25,000 in cash prizes without the approval of the Secretary.

(J) Compliance with existing law.—The Federal Government shall not, by virtue of offering or providing a prize under this paragraph, be responsible for compliance by registered participants in a prize competition with Federal law, including licensing, export control, and non-proliferation laws, and related regulations.

(K) Notice and annual report.—

(i) In general.—Not later than 30 days prior to carrying out an activity under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the intent to use such authority.

(ii) Reports.—

(I) In general.—The Secretary shall submit to the committees described in clause (i) on an annual basis a report on the activities carried out under subparagraph (A) in the preceding fiscal year if the Secretary exercised the authority under subparagraph (A) in that fiscal year.

(II) Information included.—A report under this subparagraph shall include, for each prize competition under subparagraph (A)—

(aa) a description of the proposed goals of the prize competition;

(bb) an analysis of why the use of the authority under subparagraph (A) was the preferable method of achieving the goals described in item (aa) as opposed to other authorities available to the Secretary, such as contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements;

(cc) the total amount of cash prizes awarded for each prize competition, including a description of the amount of private funds contributed to the program, the source of such funds, and the manner in which the amounts of cash prizes awarded and claimed were allocated among the accounts of the Department for recording as obligations and expenditures;

(dd) the methods used for the solicitation and evaluation of submissions under each prize competition, together with an assessment of the effectiveness of such methods and lessons learned for future prize competitions;

(ee) a description of the resources, including personnel and funding, used in the execution of each prize competition together with a detailed description of the activities for which such resources were used and an accounting of how funding for execution was allocated among the accounts of the agency for recording as obligations and expenditures; and

(ff) a description of how each prize competition advanced the mission of the Department.

(c) Collaborative Research and Development.—

(1) In general.—To encourage innovative solutions to surface transportation problems and stimulate the deployment of new technology, the Secretary may carry out, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative research and development with—

(A) non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, foreign governments, colleges and universities, corporations, institutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and trade associations that are incorporated or established under the laws of any State; and

(B) Federal laboratories.

(2) Cooperation, grants, contracts, and agreements.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may directly initiate contracts, cooperative research and development agreements (as defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)) to fund, and accept funds from, the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, State departments of transportation, cities, counties, and their agents to conduct joint transportation research and technology efforts.

(3) Federal share.—

(A) In general.—The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out under a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under this chapter shall not exceed 80 percent, except that if there is substantial public interest or benefit, the Secretary may approve a greater Federal share.

(B) Non-federal share.—All costs directly incurred by the non-Federal partners, including personnel, travel, and hardware development costs, shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of the cost of the activities described in subparagraph (A).

(4) Use of technology.—The research, development, or use of a technology under a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under this chapter, including the terms under which the technology may be licensed and the resulting royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).

(5) Waiver of advertising requirements.—Section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41 shall not apply to a contract or agreement entered into under this chapter.

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5102, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 422; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §§5201(b)–(g), (i)(1), (j)(1), (k), (l), 5202(a)(1), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1781–1785; Pub. L. 110–244, title I, §111(g)(1), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1605; Pub. L. 111–350, §5(e)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3847; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52002(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 866; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(1)(C), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1581.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 51001 of the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(A), is section 51001 of title I of div. E of Pub. L. 112–141, which is not classified to the Code.

The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is Pub. L. 96–480, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2311, which is classified generally to chapter 63 (§3701 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short title note set out under section 3701 of Title 15 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 502, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 831, related to State assurances of adequate highway relocation assistance program, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 114–94, §6019(d)(1)(C)(i), substituted "transportation research and development strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49" for "transportation research and technology development strategic plan developed under section 508".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, §6019(d)(1)(C)(ii), substituted "transportation research and development strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49" for "transportation research and development strategic plan of the Secretary developed under section 508".

2012—Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(1), which directed insertion of ", development, and technology" after "surface transportation research" in section catchline, was executed by making the insertion after "Surface transportation research", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(B), added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), (C), redesignated par. (1) as (2) and inserted "within the innovation lifecycle" after "activities" and "communications, impact analysis," after "training,". Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), redesignated par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(D)(i), substituted "delivers a clear public benefit and occurs where" for "supports research in which there is a clear public benefit and".

Subsec. (a)(3)(D) to (I). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(D)(ii)–(iv), added subpars. (D) to (H) and redesignated former subpar. (D) as (I).

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), redesignated par. (3) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (a)(4)(B) to (G). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(E), added subpars. (B) to (G) and struck out former subpars. (B) to (D) which read as follows:

"(B) support and facilitate research and technology transfer activities by State highway agencies;

"(C) share results of completed research; and

"(D) support and facilitate technology and innovation deployment."

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (a)(5)(C). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(F), substituted "all highway objectives seeking to improve the performance of the transportation system" for "policy and planning".

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), (G), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and inserted "tribal governments," after "local governments,". Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), (H), redesignated par. (7) as (8), designated first, second, and third sentences as subpars. (A), (B), and (D), respectively, inserted subpar. headings, substituted "All evaluations under this paragraph" for "All evaluations" in subpar. (D), and added subpar. (C). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(2)(A), (I), redesignated par. (8) as (9) and struck out "surface" before "transportation research".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(3)(A), substituted "transportation research and development strategic plan of the Secretary developed under section 508" for "surface transportation research and technology development strategic plan developed under section 508".

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(3)(B), substituted "chapter" for "section" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(6)(C), (D). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(3)(C), added subpars. (C) and (D).

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(3)(D), added par. (7).

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(4)(A), substituted "chapter" for "subsection" and "80" for "50".

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(4)(B), substituted "chapter" for "subsection".

Subsecs. (d) to (j). Pub. L. 112–141, §52002(a)(5), struck out subsecs. (d) to (j) relating to contents of research program, exploratory advanced research, long-term pavement performance program, seismic research, infrastructure investment needs report, Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, and long-term bridge performance program, respectively.

2011—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted "Section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41" for "Section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5)".

2008—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–244 struck out subsec. (h) relating to infrastructure investment needs report to be submitted not later than Jan. 31, 1999, and Jan. 31 of every second year thereafter.

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(2), added subsec. (a). Former subsec. (a) redesignated (b).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (a) as (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(e)(1), inserted "transportation system management and operations," after "operation,".

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(c), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary may carry out this section—

"(A) independently;

"(B) in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and Federal laboratories; or

"(C) by making grants to, or entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or any Federal laboratory, State agency, authority, association, institution, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, organization, foreign country, or person."

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(d), added par. (6).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (b) as (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(f), amended heading and text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development agreements (as defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a))."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (d)(5)(C). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(e)(2), inserted "system management and" before "operations programs".

Subsec. (d)(12) to (14). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(e)(3), added pars. (12) to (14).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(g), amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally, substituting provisions relating to exploratory advanced research for provisions relating to establishment of an advanced research program and authorizing the Secretary to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts in such areas including: characterization of materials used in highway infrastructure; diagnostics for evaluation of the condition of bridge and pavement structures to enable the assessment of risks of failure; design and construction details for composite structures; safety technology-based problems in the areas of pedestrian and bicycle safety, roadside hazards, and composite materials for roadside safety hardware; environmental research, including particulate matter source apportionment and model development; data acquisition techniques for system condition and performance monitoring; and human factors, including prediction of the response of travelers to new technologies.

Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(i)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (f) generally, substituting provisions authorizing tests, monitoring, and data analysis under the long-term pavement performance program through Sept. 30, 2009, for provisions directing the completion of long-term pavement performance program tests through the midpoint of a planned 20-year life of the long-term pavement performance program.

Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(j)(1), amended heading and text of subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) directed the Secretary to establish a seismic research program and to conduct such program in cooperation with the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research at the University of Buffalo and in consultation and cooperation with Federal departments and agencies participating in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(k), added subsec. (h) relating to infrastructure investment needs report to be submitted not later than July 31, 2006, and July 31 of every second year thereafter.

Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (g), relating to infrastructure investment needs report to be submitted not later than Jan. 31, 1999, and Jan. 31 of every second year thereafter, as (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 109–59, §5201(l), added subsec. (i).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 109–59, §5202(a)(1), added subsec. (j).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Smart Community Resource Center

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title V, §25002, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 837, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Resource center.—The term 'resource center' means the Smart Community Resource Center established under subsection (b).

"(2) Smart community.—The term 'smart community' means a community that uses innovative technologies, data, analytics, and other means to improve the community and address local challenges.

"(b) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall work with the modal administrations of the Department [of Transportation] and with such other Federal agencies and departments as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to make available to the public on an Internet website a resource center, to be known as the 'Smart Community Resource Center', that includes a compilation of resources or links to resources for States and local communities to use in developing and implementing—

"(1) intelligent transportation system programs; or

"(2) smart community transportation programs.

"(c) Inclusions.—The resource center shall include links to—

"(1) existing programs and resources for intelligent transportation system or smart community transportation programs, including technical assistance, education, training, funding, and examples of intelligent transportation systems or smart community transportation programs implemented by States and local communities, available from—

"(A) the Department;

"(B) other Federal agencies; and

"(C) non-Federal sources;

"(2) existing reports or databases with the results of intelligent transportation system or smart community transportation programs;

"(3) any best practices developed or lessons learned from intelligent transportation system or smart community transportation programs; and

"(4) such other resources as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(d) Deadline.—The Secretary shall establish the resource center by the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021].

"(e) Updates.—The Secretary shall ensure that the resource center is updated on a regular basis."

Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title V, §25005, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 840, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Eligible entity.—The term 'eligible entity' means—

"(A) a State;

"(B) a political subdivision of a State;

"(C) a Tribal government;

"(D) a public transit agency or authority;

"(E) a public toll authority;

"(F) a metropolitan planning organization; and

"(G) a group of 2 or more eligible entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) applying through a single lead applicant.

"(2) Eligible project.—The term 'eligible project' means a project described in subsection (e).

"(3) Large community.—The term 'large community' means a community with a population of not less than 400,000 individuals, as determined under the most recent annual estimate of the Bureau of the Census.

"(4) Midsized community.—The term 'midsized community" means any community that is not a large community or a rural community.

"(5) Regional partnership.—The term 'regional partnership' means a partnership composed of 2 or more eligible entities located in jurisdictions with a combined population that is equal to or greater than the population of any midsized community.

"(6) Rural community.—The term 'rural community' means a community that is located in an area that is outside of an urbanized area (as defined in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code).

"(7) SMART grant.—The term 'SMART grant' means a grant provided to an eligible entity under the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program established under subsection (b).

"(b) Establishment of Program.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a program, to be known as the 'Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program', under which the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety.

"(c) Distribution.—In determining the projects for which to provide a SMART grant, the Secretary shall consider contributions to geographical diversity among grant recipients, including the need for balancing the needs of rural communities, midsized communities, and large communities, consistent with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (g)(1).

"(d) Applications.—

"(1) In general.—An eligible entity may submit to the Secretary an application for a SMART grant at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

"(2) Transparency.—The Secretary shall include, in any notice of funding availability relating to SMART grants, a full description of the method by which applications under paragraph (1) will be evaluated.

"(3) Selection criteria.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall evaluate applications for SMART grants based on—

"(i) the extent to which the eligible entity or applicable beneficiary community—

     "(I) has a public transportation system or other transit options capable of integration with other systems to improve mobility and efficiency;

     "(II) has a population density and transportation needs conducive to demonstrating proposed strategies;

     "(III) has continuity of committed leadership and the functional capacity to carry out the proposed project;

     "(IV) is committed to open data sharing with the public; and

     "(V) is likely to successfully implement the proposed eligible project, including through technical and financial commitments from the public and private sectors; and

"(ii) the extent to which a proposed eligible project will use advanced data, technology, and applications to provide significant benefits to a local area, a State, a region, or the United States, including the extent to which the proposed eligible project will—

     "(I) reduce congestion and delays for commerce and the traveling public;

     "(II) improve the safety and integration of transportation facilities and systems for pedestrians, bicyclists, and the broader traveling public;

     "(III) improve access to jobs, education, and essential services, including health care;

     "(IV) connect or expand access for underserved or disadvantaged populations and reduce transportation costs;

     "(V) contribute to medium- and long-term economic competitiveness;

     "(VI) improve the reliability of existing transportation facilities and systems;

     "(VII) promote connectivity between and among connected vehicles, roadway infrastructure, pedestrians, bicyclists, the public, and transportation systems[;]

     "(VIII) incentivize private sector investments or partnerships, including by working with mobile and fixed telecommunication service providers, to the extent practicable;

     "(IX) improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution;

     "(X) increase the resiliency of the transportation system; and

     "(XI) improve emergency response.

"(B) Priority.—In providing SMART grants, the Secretary shall give priority to applications for eligible projects that would—

"(i) demonstrate smart city or community technologies in repeatable ways that can rapidly be scaled;

"(ii) encourage public and private sharing of data and best practices;

"(iii) encourage private-sector innovation by promoting industry-driven technology standards, open platforms, technology-neutral requirements, and interoperability;

"(iv) promote a skilled workforce that is inclusive of minority or disadvantaged groups;

"(v) allow for the measurement and validation of the cost savings and performance improvements associated with the installation and use of smart city or community technologies and practices;

"(vi) encourage the adoption of smart city or community technologies by communities;

"(vii) promote industry practices regarding cybersecurity; and

"(viii) safeguard individual privacy.

"(4) Technical assistance.—On request of an eligible entity that submitted an application under paragraph (1) with respect to a project that is not selected for a SMART grant, the Secretary shall provide to the eligible entity technical assistance and briefings relating to the project.

"(e) Use of Grant Funds.—

"(1) Eligible projects.—

"(A) In general.—A SMART grant may be used to carry out a project that demonstrates at least 1 of the following:

"(i) Coordinated automation.—The use of automated transportation and autonomous vehicles, while working to minimize the impact on the accessibility of any other user group or mode of travel.

"(ii) Connected vehicles.—Vehicles that send and receive information regarding vehicle movements in the network and use vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-everything communications to provide advanced and reliable connectivity.

"(iii) Intelligent, sensor-based infrastructure.—The deployment and use of a collective intelligent infrastructure that allows sensors to collect and report real-time data to inform everyday transportation-related operations and performance.

"(iv) Systems integration.—The integration of intelligent transportation systems with other existing systems and other advanced transportation technologies.

"(v) Commerce delivery and logistics.—Innovative data and technological solutions supporting efficient goods movement, such as connected vehicle probe data, road weather data, or global positioning data to improve on-time pickup and delivery, improved travel time reliability, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and reduced labor and vehicle maintenance costs.

"(vi) Leveraging use of innovative aviation technology.—Leveraging the use of innovative aviation technologies, such as unmanned aircraft systems, to support transportation safety and efficiencies, including traffic monitoring and infrastructure inspection.

"(vii) Smart grid.—Development of a programmable and efficient energy transmission and distribution system to support the adoption or expansion of energy capture, electric vehicle deployment, or freight or commercial fleet fuel efficiency.

"(viii) Smart technology traffic signals.—Improving the active management and functioning of traffic signals, including through—

     "(I) the use of automated traffic signal performance measures;

     "(II) implementing strategies, activities, and projects that support active management of traffic signal operations, including through optimization of corridor timing, improved vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle detection at traffic signals, or the use of connected vehicle technologies;

     "(III) replacing outdated traffic signals; or

     "(IV) for an eligible entity serving a population of less than 500,000, paying the costs of temporary staffing hours dedicated to updating traffic signal technology.

"(2) Eligible project costs.—A SMART grant may be used for—

"(A) development phase activities, including—

"(i) planning;

"(ii) feasibility analyses;

"(iii) revenue forecasting;

"(iv) environmental review;

"(v) permitting;

"(vi) preliminary engineering and design work;

"(vii) systems development or information technology work; and

"(viii) acquisition of real property (including land and improvements to land relating to an eligible project); and

"(B) construction phase activities, including—

"(i) construction;

"(ii) reconstruction;

"(iii) rehabilitation;

"(iv) replacement;

"(v) environmental mitigation;

"(vi) construction contingencies; and

"(vii) acquisition of equipment, including vehicles.

"(3) Prohibited uses.—A SMART grant shall not be used—

"(A) to reimburse any preaward costs or application preparation costs of the SMART grant application;

"(B) for any traffic or parking enforcement activity; or

"(C) to purchase or lease a license plate reader.

"(f) Reports.—

"(1) Eligible entities.—Not later than 2 years after the date on which an eligible entity receives a SMART grant, and annually thereafter until the date on which the SMART grant is expended, the eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an implementation report that describes—

"(A) the deployment and operational costs of each eligible project carried out by the eligible entity, as compared to the benefits and savings from the eligible project; and

"(B) the means by which each eligible project carried out by the eligible entity has met the original expectation, as projected in the SMART grant application, including—

"(i) data describing the means by which the eligible project met the specific goals for the project, such as—

     "(I) reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries;

     "(II) reducing traffic congestion or improving travel-time reliability;

     "(III) providing the public with access to real-time integrated traffic, transit, and multimodal transportation information to make informed travel decisions; or

     "(IV) reducing barriers or improving access to jobs, education, or various essential services;

"(ii) the effectiveness of providing to the public real-time integrated traffic, transit, and multimodal transportation information to make informed travel decisions; and

"(iii) lessons learned and recommendations for future deployment strategies to optimize transportation efficiency and multimodal system performance.

"(2) GAO.—Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct, and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of, a review of the SMART grant program under this section.

"(3) Secretary.—

"(A) Report to congress.—Not later than 2 years after the date on which the initial SMART grants are provided under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—

"(i) describes each eligible entity that received a SMART grant;

"(ii) identifies the amount of each SMART grant provided;

"(iii) summarizes the intended uses of each SMART grant;

"(iv) describes the effectiveness of eligible entities in meeting the goals described in the SMART grant application of the eligible entity, including an assessment or measurement of the realized improvements or benefits resulting from each SMART grant; and

"(v) describes lessons learned and recommendations for future deployment strategies to optimize transportation efficiency and multimodal system performance.

"(B) Best practices.—The Secretary shall—

"(i) develop and regularly update best practices based on, among other information, the data, lessons learned, and feedback from eligible entities that received SMART grants;

"(ii) publish the best practices under clause (i) on a publicly available website; and

"(iii) update the best practices published on the website under clause (ii) regularly.

"(g) Authorization of Appropriations.—

"(1) In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $100,000,000 for each of the first 5 fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, of which—

"(A) not more than 40 percent shall be used to provide SMART grants for eligible projects that primarily benefit large communities;

"(B) not more than 30 percent shall be provided for eligible projects that primarily benefit midsized communities; and

"(C) not more than 30 percent shall be used to provide SMART grants for eligible projects that primarily benefit rural communities or regional partnerships.

"(2) Administrative costs.—Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year, not more than 2 percent shall be used for administrative costs of the Secretary in carrying out this section.

"(3) Limitation.—An eligible entity may not use more than 3 percent of the amount of a SMART grant for each fiscal year to achieve compliance with applicable planning and reporting requirements.

"(4) Availability.—The amounts made available for a fiscal year pursuant to this subsection shall be available for obligation during the 2-fiscal-year period beginning on the first day of the fiscal year for which the amounts were appropriated."

Transportation Safety Information Management System Project

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5501, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1820, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall fund and carry out a project to further the development of a comprehensive transportation safety information management system (in this section referred to as 'TSIMS').

"(b) Purposes.—The purpose of the TSIMS project is to further the development of a software application to provide for the collection, integration, management, and dissemination of safety data from and for use among State and local safety and transportation agencies, including driver licensing, vehicle registration, emergency management system, injury surveillance, roadway inventory, and motor carrier databases.

"(c) Funding.—

"(1) Federal funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 shall be available to carry out the TSIMS project under this section.

"(2) State contribution.—The sums authorized in paragraph (1) are intended to supplement voluntary contributions to be made by State departments of transportation and other State safety and transportation agencies."

Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions Research Initiative

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5502, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1820, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a surface transportation congestion solutions research initiative consisting of 2 independent research programs described in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) and designed to develop information to assist State transportation departments and metropolitan planning organizations [to] measure and address surface transportation congestion problems.

"(b) Surface Transportation Congestion Solutions Research Program.—

"(1) Improved surface transportation congestion management system measures.—The purposes of the first research program established under this section shall be—

"(A) to examine the effectiveness of surface transportation congestion management systems since enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Public Law 102–240) [Dec. 18, 1991];

"(B) to identify best case examples of locally designed reporting methods and incorporate such methods in research on national models for developing and recommending improved surface transportation congestion measurement and reporting; and

"(C) to incorporate such methods in the development of national models and methods to monitor, measure, and report surface transportation congestion information.

"(2) Analytical techniques for action on surface transportation congestion.—The purposes of the second research program established under this section shall be—

"(A) to analyze the effectiveness of procedures used by State transportation departments and metropolitan planning organizations to assess surface transportation congestion problems and communicate those problems to decisionmakers; and

"(B) to identify methods to ensure that the results of surface transportation congestion analyses lead to the targeting of funding for programs, projects, or services with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing travel delay, congestion, and system unreliability.

"(c) Technical Assistance and Training.—In fiscal year 2006, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall develop a technical assistance and training program to disseminate the results of the surface transportation congestion solutions research initiative for the purpose of assisting State transportation departments and local transportation agencies with improving their approaches to surface transportation congestion measurement, analysis, and project programming.

"(d) Funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(2), $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out subsection (c) of this subsection."

Thermal Imaging

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5513(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1829, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall make a grant to carry out a demonstration project that uses a thermal imaging inspection system (TIIS) that leverages state-of-the-art thermal imagery technology, integrated with signature recognition software, providing the capability to identify, in real time, faults and failures in tires, brakes and bearings mounted on commercial motor vehicles.

"(2) Use of funds.—Funds shall be used—

"(A) to employ a TIIS in a field environment, along the Interstate, to further assess the system's ability to identify faults in tires, brakes, and bearings mounted on commercial motor vehicles;

"(B) to establish, through statistical analysis, the probability of failure for each component; and

"(C) to develop and integrate a predictive tool into the TIIS, which identifies an impending tire, brake, or bearing failure and provides the use of a time frame in which this failure may occur.

"(3) Funding.—Of the amounts made available under section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2006 shall be available to carry out this subsection."

Study of Future Strategic Highway Research Program

Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5112, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 445, provided that:

"(a) Study.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act [June 9, 1998], the Secretary shall make a grant to, or enter into a cooperative agreement or contract with, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences (in this section referred to as the 'Board') to conduct a study to determine the goals, purposes, research agenda and projects, administrative structure, and fiscal needs for a new strategic highway research program to replace the program established under section 307(d) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act), or a similar effort.

"(b) Consultation.—In conducting the study, the Board shall consult with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and such other entities as the Board determines appropriate to the conduct of the study.

"(c) Report.—Not later than 5 years after making a grant or entering into a cooperative agreement or contract under subsection (a), the Board shall submit a final report on the results of the study to the Secretary, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives."

Commercial Remote Sensing Products and Spatial Information Technologies

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5506, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1823, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish and carry out a program to validate commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies for application to national transportation infrastructure development and construction.

"(b) Program.—

"(1) National policy.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish and maintain a national policy for the use of commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies in national transportation infrastructure development and construction.

"(2) Policy implementation.—The Secretary shall develop new applications of commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies for the implementation of the national policy established and maintained under paragraph (1).

"(c) Cooperation.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out this section in cooperation with a consortium of university research centers.

"(d) Funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $7,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section."

Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5113, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 445, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary shall establish and carry out a program to validate commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies for application to national transportation infrastructure development and construction.

"(b) Program Stages.—

"(1) First stage.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 9, 1998], the Secretary shall establish a national policy for the use of commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies in national transportation infrastructure development and construction.

"(2) Second stage.—After establishment of the national policy under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall develop new applications of commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies for the implementation of the national policy.

"(c) Cooperation.—The Secretary shall carry out this section in cooperation with the Commercial Remote Sensing Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and a consortium of university research centers.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2004."

Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5204(g), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1794, provided that:

"(1) Fundamental properties of asphalts and modified asphalts.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall continue to carry out section 5117(b)(5) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century [Pub. L. 105–178, set out below] (112 Stat. 450).

"(2) Transportation, economic, and land use system.—The Secretary shall continue to carry out section 5117(b)(7) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 450).

"(3) Funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 $4,200,000 shall be available to carry out paragraph (1) and $1,000,000 shall be available to carry out paragraph (2)."

Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5117, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 448, as amended by Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, §9011(g), (h), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 864; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(g) [title III, §3769 [369]], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–439, 2681-478; Pub. L. 107–117, div. B, §1101, Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2330; Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5508, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1824, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary shall carry out a transportation technology innovation and demonstration program in accordance with the requirements of this section.

"(b) Contents of Program.—

"(1) Motor vehicle safety warning system.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall expand and continue the study authorized by section 358(c) of the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104–59] (23 U.S.C. 401 note; 109 Stat. 625) relating to the development of a motor vehicle safety warning system and shall conduct tests of such system.

"(B) Grants.—In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary may make grants to State and local governments.

"(C) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2000 by section 5001(a)(2) of this Act [112 Stat. 419], $700,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(2) Motor carrier advanced sensor control system.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall conduct research on the deployment of a system of advanced sensors and signal processors in trucks and tractor trailers to determine axle and wheel alignment, monitor collision alarm, check tire pressure and tire balance conditions, measure and detect load distribution in the vehicle, and monitor and adjust automatic braking systems.

"(B) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(2) of this Act, $700,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(3) Intelligent transportation infrastructure.—

"(A) Definitions.—In this paragraph:

"(i) Congested area.—The term 'congested area' means a metropolitan area that experiences significant traffic congestion, as determined by the Secretary on an annual basis, including the metropolitan areas of Albany, Atlanta, Austin, Burlington, Charlotte, Columbus, Greensboro, Hartford, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, San Jose, Tuscson, and Tulsa.

"(ii) Deployment area.—The term 'deployment area' means any of the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/Northern New Jersey, Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Salt Lake, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington, District of Columbia.

"(iii) Metropolitan area.—The term 'metropolitan area', including a major transportation corridor serving a metropolitan area, means any area that—

     "(I) has a population exceeding 300,000; and

     "(II) meets criteria established by the Secretary in conjunction with the intelligent vehicle highway systems corridors program.

"(iv) Original contract.—The term 'original contract' means the Department of Transportation contract numbered DTTS 59–99–D–00445 T020013.

"(v) Program.—The term 'program' means the 2-part intelligent transportation infrastructure program carried out under this paragraph.

"(vi) State transportation department.—The term 'State transportation department' means—

     "(I) a State transportation department (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code); and

     "(II) a designee of a State transportation department (as so defined) for the purpose of entering into contracts.

"(vii) Uncommitted funds.—The term 'uncommitted funds' means the total amount of funds that, as of the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU [Aug. 10, 2005], remain uncommitted under the original contract.

"(B) Intelligent transportation infrastructure program.—

"(i) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out a 2-part intelligent transportation infrastructure program in accordance with this paragraph to advance the deployment of an operational intelligent transportation infrastructure system, through measurement of various transportation system activities, to simultaneously—

     "(I) aid in transportation planning and analysis; and

     "(II) make a significant contribution to the ITS program under this title [see Tables for classification].

"(ii) Objectives.—The objectives of the program are—

     "(I) to build or integrate an infrastructure of the measurement of various transportation system metrics to aid in planning, analysis, and maintenance of the Department of Transportation, including the buildout, maintenance, and operation of greater than 40 metropolitan area systems with a total cost not to exceed $2,000,000 for each metropolitan area;

     "(II) to provide private technology commercialization initiatives to generate revenues that will be reinvested in the intelligent transportation infrastructure system;

     "(III) to aggregate data into reports for multipoint data distribution techniques; and

     "(IV) with respect to part I of the program under subparagraph (C), to use an advanced information system designed and monitored by an entity with experience with the Department of Transportation in the design and monitoring of high-reliability, mission-critical voice and data systems.

"(C) Part I.—

"(i) In general.—In carrying out part I of the program, the Secretary shall permit the entity to which the original contract was awarded to use uncommitted funds to deploy intelligent transportation infrastructure systems that have been accepted by the Secretary—

     "(I) in accordance with the terms of the original contract; and

     "(II) in any deployment area, with the consent of the State transportation department for the deployment area.

"(ii) Applicable conditions.—The same asset ownership, maintenance, fixed price contract, and revenue sharing model, and the same competitively selected consortium leader, as were used for the deployment of intelligent transportation infrastructure systems under the original contract before the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU [Aug. 10, 2005] shall apply to each deployment carried out under clause (i).

"(iii) Deployment in congested areas.—If the entity referred to in clause (i) is unable to use the uncommitted funds by deploying intelligent transportation infrastructure systems in deployment areas, as determined by the Secretary, the entity may deploy the systems in accordance with this paragraph in one or more congested areas, with the consent of the State transportation departments for the congested areas.

"(D) Part II.—

"(i) In general.—In carrying out part II of the program, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, contracts for the deployment of intelligent transportation infrastructure systems that have been accepted by the Secretary in congested areas, with the consent of the State transportation departments for the congested areas.

"(ii) Requirements.—The Secretary shall award contracts under clause (i)—

     "(I) for individual congested areas among entities that seek to deploy intelligent transportation infrastructure systems in the congested areas; and

     "(II) on the condition that the terms of each contract awarded requires the entity deploying such system to ensure that the deployed system is compatible (as determined by the Secretary) with systems deployed in other congested areas under this paragraph.

"(iii) Provisions in contracts.—The Secretary shall require that each contract for the deployment of an intelligent transportation infrastructure system under this subparagraph contain such provisions relating to asset ownership, maintenance, fixed price, and revenue sharing as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.

"(E) Use of funds for undeployed systems.—

"(i) In general.—If, under part I or part II of the program, a State transportation department for a deployment area or congested area does not consent by the later of the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU [Aug. 10, 2005], or another date determined jointly by the State transportation department and the deployment area or congested area, to participate in the deployment of an intelligent transportation infrastructure system in the deployment area or congested area, upon application by any other deployment area or congested area that has consented by that date to participate in the deployment of such a system, the Secretary shall distribute any such unused funds to any other deployment or congested area that has consented by that date to participate in the deployment of such a system.

"(ii) No inclusion in cost limitation.—Costs paid using funds provided through a distribution under clause (i) shall not be considered in determining the limitation on maximum cost described in subparagraph (F)(ii).

"(F) Federal share; limits on costs of systems for metropolitan areas.—

"(i) Federal share.—Subject to clause (ii), the Federal share of the cost of any project or activity carried out under the program shall be 80 percent.

"(ii) Limit on costs of system for each metropolitan area.—

     "(I) In general.—Not more than $2,000,000 may be provided under this paragraph for deployment of an intelligent transportation infrastructure system for a metropolitan area.

     "(II) Funding under each part.—A metropolitan area in which an intelligent transportation infrastructure system is deployed under part I or part II under subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively, including through a distribution of funds under subparagraph (E), may not receive any additional deployment under the other part of the program.

"(G) Use of rights-of-way.—

"(i) In general.—An intelligent transportation system project described in this paragraph or paragraph (6) that involves privately owned intelligent transportation system components and is carried out using funds made available from the Highway Trust Fund shall not be subject to any law (including a regulation) of a State or political subdivision of a State prohibiting or regulating commercial activities in the rights-of-way of a highway for which Federal-aid highway funds have been used for planning, design, construction, or maintenance for the project, if the Secretary determines that such use is in the public interest.

"(ii) Effect of subparagraph.—Nothing in this subparagraph affects the authority of a State or political subdivision of a State—

     "(I) to regulate highway safety; or

     "(II) under sections 253 and 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 253, 332(c)(7)).

"(H) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to carry out this paragraph.

"(4) Corrosion control and prevention.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall make a grant to conduct a study on the costs and benefits of corrosion control and prevention. The study shall be conducted in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team of experts from the fields of metallurgy, chemistry, economics, and others, as appropriate. Not later than September 30, 2001, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study results, together with any recommendations.

"(B) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1999 and 2000 by section 5001(a)(1) of this Act [112 Stat. 419], $500,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(5) Fundamental properties of asphalts and modified asphalts.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall continue to carry out section 6016 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 [Pub. L. 102–240, formerly set out as a note below]. Additional areas of the program under such section shall be asphalt-water interaction studies and asphalt-aggregate thin film behavior studies.

"(B) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(1) of this Act, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1998 and $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(6) Advanced Traffic Monitoring and Response Center.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall make grants to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, to establish an advanced traffic monitoring and emergency response center at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The center shall help develop and coordinate traffic monitoring and ITS systems on portions of the Pennsylvania Turnpike system and I–81, coordinate emergency response with State and local governments in the Central Pennsylvania Region and conduct research on emergency response and prototype trauma response.

"(B) Funding.—

"(i) Eligibility under section 5208.—The center established under this paragraph shall be eligible for funding under section 5208 of this Act [set out in a note below].

"(ii) Allocation.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(2) of this Act, $1,667,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(7) Transportation economic and land use system.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall continue development and deployment through the New Jersey Institute of Technology to metropolitan planning organizations of the Transportation Economic and Land Use System.

"(B) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(2) of this Act, $1,000,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(8) Recycled materials resource center.—

"(A) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish at the University of New Hampshire a research program to be known as the 'Recycled Materials Resource Center' (referred to in this paragraph as the 'Center').

"(B) Activities.—

"(i) In general.—The Center shall—

     "(I) systematically test, evaluate, develop appropriate guidelines for, and demonstrate environmentally acceptable and occupationally safe technologies and techniques for the increased use of traditional and nontraditional recycled and secondary materials in transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance;

     "(II) make information available to State transportation departments, the Federal Highway Administration, the construction industry, and other interested parties to assist in evaluating proposals to use traditional and nontraditional recycled and secondary materials in transportation infrastructure construction;

     "(III) encourage the increased use of traditional and nontraditional recycled and secondary materials by using sound science to analyze thoroughly all potential long-term considerations that affect the physical and environmental performance of the materials; and

     "(IV) work cooperatively with Federal and State officials to reduce the institutional barriers that limit widespread use of traditional and nontraditional recycled and secondary materials and to ensure that such increased use is consistent with the sustained environmental and physical integrity of the infrastructure in which the materials are used.

"(ii) Sites and projects under actual field conditions.—In carrying out clause (i)(III), the Secretary may authorize the Center to—

     "(I) use test sites and demonstration projects under actual field conditions to develop appropriate performance data; and

     "(II) develop appropriate tests and guidelines to ensure correct use of recycled and secondary materials in transportation infrastructure construction.

"(C) Review and Evaluation.—

"(i) In general.—Not less often than every 2 years, the Secretary shall review and evaluate the program carried out by the Center.

"(ii) Notification of deficiencies.—In carrying out clause (i), if the Secretary determines that the Center is deficient in carrying out subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall notify the Center of each deficiency and recommend specific measures to address the deficiency.

"(iii) Disqualification.—If, after the end of the 180-day period that begins on the date of notification to the Center under clause (ii), the Secretary determines that the Center has not corrected each deficiency identified under clause (ii), the Secretary may, after notifying the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of the determination, disqualify the Center from further participation under this section.

"(D) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(1) of this Act, $1,500,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph."

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11304, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 531, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall develop guidance for using existing flexibilities with respect to the systems engineering analysis described in part 940 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).

"(b) Implementation.—The Secretary shall ensure that any guidance developed under subsection (a)—

"(1) clearly identifies criteria for low-risk and exempt intelligent transportation systems projects, with a goal of minimizing unnecessary delay or paperwork burden;

"(2) is consistently implemented by the Department [of Transportation] nationwide; and

"(3) is disseminated to Federal-aid recipients.

"(c) Savings Provision.—Nothing in this section prevents the Secretary from amending part 940 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), to reduce State administrative burdens."

Pub. L. 105–178, title V, subtitle C, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 452, as amended by Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, §9011(c), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 863; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(g) [title III, §370], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–439, 2681-478; Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5509, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1828; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1581; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(174), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4325, provided that:

"SEC. 5201. SHORT TITLE.

"This subtitle may be cited as the 'Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1998'.

"SEC. 5202. FINDINGS.

"Congress finds that—

"(1) investments authorized by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 1914 et seq.) [Pub. L. 104–240, see Tables for classification] have demonstrated that intelligent transportation systems can mitigate surface transportation problems in a cost-effective manner; and

"(2) continued investment in architecture and standards development, research, and systems integration is needed to accelerate the rate at which intelligent transportation systems are incorporated into the national surface transportation network, thereby improving transportation safety and efficiency and reducing costs and negative impacts on communities and the environment.

"SEC. 5203. GOALS AND PURPOSES.

"(a) Goals.—The goals of the intelligent transportation system program include—

"(1) enhancement of surface transportation efficiency and facilitation of intermodalism and international trade to enable existing facilities to meet a significant portion of future transportation needs, including public access to employment, goods, and services, and to reduce regulatory, financial, and other transaction costs to public agencies and system users;

"(2) achievement of national transportation safety goals, including the enhancement of safe operation of motor vehicles and nonmotorized vehicles, with particular emphasis on decreasing the number and severity of collisions;

"(3) protection and enhancement of the natural environment and communities affected by surface transportation, with particular emphasis on assisting State and local governments to achieve national environmental goals;

"(4) accommodation of the needs of all users of surface transportation systems, including operators of commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and motorcycles, and including individuals with disabilities; and

"(5) improvement of the Nation's ability to respond to emergencies and natural disasters and enhancement of national defense mobility.

"(b) Purposes.—The Secretary shall implement activities under the intelligent system transportation program to, at a minimum—

"(1) expedite, in both metropolitan and rural areas, deployment and integration of intelligent transportation systems for consumers of passenger and freight transportation;

"(2) ensure that Federal, State, and local transportation officials have adequate knowledge of intelligent transportation systems for full consideration in the transportation planning process;

"(3) improve regional cooperation and operations planning for effective intelligent transportation system deployment;

"(4) promote the innovative use of private resources;

"(5) develop a workforce capable of developing, operating, and maintaining intelligent transportation systems; and

"(6) complete deployment of Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks in a majority of States by September 30, 2003.

"SEC. 5204. GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.

"(a) Scope.—Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, the Secretary shall conduct an ongoing intelligent transportation system program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and advance nationwide deployment of such systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

"(b) Policy.—Intelligent transportation system operational tests and deployment projects funded pursuant to this subtitle shall encourage and not displace public-private partnerships or private sector investment in such tests and projects.

"(c) Cooperation With Governmental, Private, and Educational Entities.—The Secretary shall carry out the intelligent transportation system program in cooperation with State and local governments and other public entities, the United States private sector, the Federal laboratories, and colleges and universities, including historically black colleges and universities and other minority institutions of higher education.

"(d) Consultation With Federal Officials.—In carrying out the intelligent transportation system program, the Secretary, as appropriate, shall consult with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies.

"(e) Technical Assistance, Training, and Information.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain, or evaluate intelligent transportation system technologies and services.

"(f) Transportation Planning.—The Secretary may provide funding to support adequate consideration of transportation system management and operations, including intelligent transportation systems, within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes.

"(g) Information Clearinghouse.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall—

"(A) maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects carried out under this subtitle; and

"(B) on request, make that information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.

"(2) Delegation of authority.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary may delegate the responsibility of the Secretary under this subsection, with continuing oversight by the Secretary, to an appropriate entity not within the Department of Transportation.

"(B) Federal assistance.—If the Secretary delegates the responsibility, the entity to which the responsibility is delegated shall be eligible for Federal assistance under this section.

"(h) Advisory Committees.—

"(1) In general.—In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary may use 1 or more advisory committees.

"(2) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—Any advisory committee so used shall be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

"(i) Procurement Methods.—

"(1) Technical assistance.—The Secretary shall develop appropriate technical assistance and guidance to assist State and local agencies in evaluating and selecting appropriate methods of procurement for intelligent transportation system projects carried out using funds made available from the Highway Trust Fund, including innovative and nontraditional methods such as the Information Technology Omnibus Procurement.

"(2) Intelligent transportation system software.—To the maximum extent practicable, contracting officials shall use as a critical evaluation criterion the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model, or another similar recognized standard risk assessment methodology, to reduce the cost, schedule, and performance risks associated with the development, management, and integration of intelligent transportation system software.

"(j) Evaluations.—

"(1) Guidelines and requirements.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall issue guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of operational tests and deployment projects carried out under this subtitle.

"(B) Objectivity and independence.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity and independence of the evaluator so as to avoid any real or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such test or deployment project or by any other formal evaluation carried out under this subtitle.

"(C) Funding.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish evaluation funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or project that ensure adequate evaluation of the results of the test or project.

"(2) Special rule.—Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the evaluation of any test, deployment project, or program assessment activity under this subtitle shall not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44.

"(k) Use of Rights-of-Way.—Intelligent transportation system projects specified in section 5117(b)(3) and 5117(b)(6) [set out above] and involving privately owned intelligent transportation system components that is carried out using funds made available from the Highway Trust Fund shall not be subject to any law or regulation of a State or political subdivision of a State prohibiting or regulating commercial activities in the rights-of-way of a highway for which Federal-aid highway funds have been utilized for planning, design, construction, or maintenance, if the Secretary of Transportation determines that such use is in the public interest. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to regulate highway safety.

"SEC. 5205. NATIONAL ITS PROGRAM PLAN.

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Updates.—The Secretary shall maintain and update, as necessary, the National ITS Program Plan developed by the Department of Transportation and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America.

"(2) Scope.—The National ITS Program Plan shall—

"(A) specify the goals, objectives, and milestones for the research and deployment of intelligent transportation systems in the context of major metropolitan areas, smaller metropolitan and rural areas, and commercial vehicle operations;

"(B) specify how specific programs and projects will achieve the goals, objectives, and milestones referred to in subparagraph (A), including consideration of the 5- and 10-year timeframes for the goals and objectives;

"(C) identify activities that provide for the dynamic development of standards and protocols to promote and ensure interoperability in the implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies, including actions taken to establish critical standards; and

"(D) establish a cooperative process with State and local governments for determining desired surface transportation system performance levels and developing plans for incorporation of specific intelligent transportation system capabilities into surface transportation systems.

"(b) Reporting.—The plan described in subsection (a) shall be transmitted and updated as part of the transportation research and development strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49, United States Code.

"SEC. 5206. NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS.

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Development, implementation, and maintenance.—Consistent with section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104–113] (15 U.S.C. 272 note; 110 Stat. 783), the Secretary shall develop, implement, and maintain a national architecture and supporting standards and protocols to promote the widespread use and evaluation of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

"(2) Interoperability and efficiency.—To the maximum extent practicable, the national architecture shall promote interoperability among, and efficiency of, intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the United States.

"(3) Use of standards development organizations.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary may use the services of such standards development organizations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(b) Report on Critical Standards.—Not later than June 1, 1999, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science [now Committee on Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives identifying which standards are critical to ensuring national interoperability or critical to the development of other standards and specifying the status of the development of each standard identified.

"(c) Provisional Standards.—

"(1) In general.—If the Secretary finds that the development or balloting of an intelligent transportation system standard jeopardizes the timely achievement of the objectives identified in subsection (a), the Secretary may establish a provisional standard after consultation with affected parties, and using, to the extent practicable, the work product of appropriate standards development organizations.

"(2) Critical standards.—If a standard identified as critical in the report under subsection (b) is not adopted and published by the appropriate standards development organization by January 1, 2001, the Secretary shall establish a provisional standard after consultation with affected parties, and using, to the extent practicable, the work product of appropriate standards development organizations.

"(3) Period of effectiveness.—A provisional standard established under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be published in the Federal Register and remain in effect until the appropriate standards development organization adopts and publishes a standard.

"(d) Waiver of Requirement To Establish Provisional Standard.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary may waive the requirement under subsection (c)(2) to establish a provisional standard if the Secretary determines that additional time would be productive or that establishment of a provisional standard would be counterproductive to achieving the timely achievement of the objectives identified in subsection (a).

"(2) Notice.—The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice describing each standard for which a waiver of the provisional standard requirement has been granted, the reasons for and effects of granting the waiver, and an estimate as to when the standard is expected to be adopted through a process consistent with section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104–113] (15 U.S.C. 272 note; 110 Stat. 783).

"(3) Withdrawal of waiver.—At any time the Secretary may withdraw a waiver granted under paragraph (1). Upon such withdrawal, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice describing each standard for which a waiver has been withdrawn and the reasons for withdrawing the waiver.

"(e) Conformity With National Architecture.—

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall ensure that intelligent transportation system projects carried out using funds made available from the Highway Trust Fund, including funds made available under this subtitle to deploy intelligent transportation system technologies, conform to the national architecture, applicable standards or provisional standards, and protocols developed under subsection (a).

"(2) Secretary's discretion.—The Secretary may authorize exceptions to paragraph (1) for—

"(A) projects designed to achieve specific research objectives outlined in the National ITS Program Plan under section 5205 or the transportation research and development strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49, United States Code; or

"(B) the upgrade or expansion of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of this subtitle [June 9, 1998], if the Secretary determines that the upgrade or expansion—

"(i) would not adversely affect the goals or purposes of this subtitle;

"(ii) is carried out before the end of the useful life of such system; and

"(iii) is cost-effective as compared to alternatives that would meet the conformity requirement of paragraph (1).

"(3) Exceptions.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds used for operation or maintenance of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of this subtitle.

"(f) Spectrum.—The Federal Communications Commission shall consider, in consultation with the Secretary, spectrum needs for the operation of intelligent transportation systems, including spectrum for the dedicated short-range vehicle-to-wayside wireless standard. Not later than January 1, 2000, the Federal Communications Commission shall have completed a rulemaking considering the allocation of spectrum for intelligent transportation systems.

"SEC. 5207. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

"(a) In General.—The Secretary shall carry out a comprehensive program of intelligent transportation system research, development and operational tests of intelligent vehicles and intelligent infrastructure systems, and other similar activities that are necessary to carry out this subtitle.

"(b) Priority Areas.—Under the program, the Secretary shall give higher priority to funding projects that—

"(1) address traffic management, incident management, transit management, toll collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems;

"(2) focus on crash-avoidance and integration of in-vehicle crash protection technologies with other on-board safety systems, including the interaction of air bags and safety belts;

"(3) incorporate human factors research, including the science of the driving process;

"(4) facilitate the integration of intelligent infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies, including magnetic guidance control systems or other materials or magnetics research; or

"(5) incorporate research on the impact of environmental, weather, and natural conditions on intelligent transportation systems, including the effects of cold climates.

"(c) Operational Tests.—Operational tests conducted under this section shall be designed for the collection of data to permit objective evaluation of the results of the tests, derivation of cost-benefit information that is useful to others contemplating deployment of similar systems, and development and implementation of standards.

"(d) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of operational tests and demonstrations under subsection (a) shall not exceed 80 percent.

"[SECS. 5208, 5209. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5509, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1828.]

"SEC. 5210. USE OF FUNDS.

"(a) Outreach and Public Relations Limitation.—

"(1) In general.—For each fiscal year, not more than $5,000,000 of the funds made available to carry out this subtitle shall be used for intelligent transportation system outreach, public relations, displays, scholarships, tours, and brochures.

"(2) Applicability.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to intelligent transportation system training or the publication or distribution of research findings, technical guidance, or similar documents.

"(b) Infrastructure Development.—Funds made available to carry out this subtitle for operational tests and deployment projects—

"(1) shall be used primarily for the development of intelligent transportation system infrastructure; and

"(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall not be used for the construction of physical highway and transit infrastructure unless the construction is incidental and critically necessary to the implementation of an intelligent transportation system project.

"(c) Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Financing and Operations Plan.—The Secretary shall require an applicant for funds made available under sections 5208 and 5209 to submit to the Secretary—

"(1) an analysis of the life-cycle costs of operation and maintenance of intelligent transportation system elements, if the total initial capital costs of the elements exceed $3,000,000; and

"(2) a multiyear financing and operations plan that describes how the project will be cost-effectively operated and maintained.

"(d) Use of Innovative Financing.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary may use up to 25 percent of the funds made available to carry out this subtitle to make available loans, lines of credit, and loan guarantees for projects that are eligible for assistance under this subtitle and that have significant intelligent transportation system elements.

"(2) Consistency with other law.—Credit assistance described in paragraph (1) shall be made available in a manner consistent with the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 [see section 1501 of Pub. L. 105–178, set out as a Short Title of 1998 Amendment note under section 101 of this title].

"SEC. 5211. DEFINITIONS.

"In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:

"(1) Commercial vehicle information systems and networks.—The term 'Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks' means the information systems and communications networks that support commercial vehicle operations.

"(2) Commercial vehicle operations.—The term 'commercial vehicle operations'—

"(A) means motor carrier operations and motor vehicle regulatory activities associated with the commercial movement of goods, including hazardous materials, and passengers; and

"(B) with respect to the public sector, includes the issuance of operating credentials, the administration of motor vehicle and fuel taxes, and roadside safety and border crossing inspection and regulatory compliance operations.

"(3) Corridor.—The term 'corridor' means any major transportation route that includes parallel limited access highways, major arterials, or transit lines.

"(4) Intelligent transportation infrastructure.—The term 'intelligent transportation infrastructure' means fully integrated public sector intelligent transportation system components, as defined by the Secretary.

"(5) Intelligent transportation system.—The term 'intelligent transportation system' means electronics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system.

"(6) National architecture.—The term 'national architecture' means the common framework for interoperability adopted by the Secretary that defines—

"(A) the functions associated with intelligent transportation system user services;

"(B) the physical entities or subsystems within which the functions reside;

"(C) the data interfaces and information flows between physical subsystems; and

"(D) the communications requirements associated with the information flows.

"(7) Standard.—The term 'standard' means a document that—

"(A) contains technical specifications or other precise criteria for intelligent transportation systems that are to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics so as to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for their purposes; and

"(B) may support the national architecture and promote—

"(i) the widespread use and adoption of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States; and

"(ii) interoperability among intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the States.

"(8) State.—The term 'State' has the meaning given the term under section 101 of title 23, United States Code.

"SEC. 5212. PROJECT FUNDING.

"(a) Use of Hazardous Materials Monitoring Systems.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall conduct research on improved methods of deploying and integrating existing ITS projects to include hazardous materials monitoring systems across various modes of transportation.

"(2) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(6) of this Act [112 Stat. 420], $1,500,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(b) Outreach and Technology Transfer Activities.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall continue to support the Urban Consortium's ITS outreach and technology transfer activities.

"(2) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 by section 5001(a)(5) of this Act [112 Stat. 420], $500,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"(c) Translink.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall make grants to the Texas Transportation Institute to continue the Translink Research program.

"(2) Funding.—Of the amounts allocated for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2001 by section 5001(a)(6) of this Act, $1,300,000 per fiscal year shall be available to carry out this paragraph.

"SEC. 5213. REPEAL.

"The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 [Pub. L. 102–240] is amended by striking part B [§§6051–6059] of title VI (23 U.S.C. 307 note; 105 Stat. 2189)."

[Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5509, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1828, provided that the amendment made by section 5509, repealing sections 5208 and 5209 of Pub. L. 105–178, set out above, is effective Oct. 1 2005.]

Research Advisory Committee

Pub. L. 102–240, title VI, §6011, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2179, as amended by Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(175), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4325, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—Not later than 180 days after the date of transmittal of the report to Congress under section 6010 [of Pub. L. 102–240, formerly set out as a note under section 307 of this title], the Secretary shall establish an independent surface transportation research advisory committee (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'advisory committee').

"(b) Purposes.—The advisory committee shall provide ongoing advice and recommendations to the Secretary regarding needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments with respect to short-term and long-term surface transportation research and development. The advisory committee shall also assist in ensuring that such research and development is coordinated with similar research and development being conducted outside of the Department of Transportation.

"(c) Membership.—The advisory committee shall be composed of not less than 20 and not more than 30 members appointed by the Secretary from among individuals who are not employees of the Department of Transportation and who are specially qualified to serve on the advisory committee by virtue of their education, training, or experience. A majority of the members of the advisory committee shall be individuals with experience in conducting surface transportation research and development. The Secretary in appointing the members of the advisory committee shall ensure that representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, other public agencies, colleges and universities, public, private, and nonprofit research organizations, and organizations representing transportation providers, shippers, labor, and the financial community are represented on an equitable basis.

"(d) Chairman.—The chairman of the advisory committee shall be designated by the Secretary.

"(e) Pay and Expenses.—Members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay, except that the Secretary may allow any member, while engaged in the business of the advisory committee or a subordinate committee, travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

"(f) Subordinate Committees.—The Secretary shall establish a subordinate committee to the advisory committee to provide advice on advanced highway vehicle technology research and development, and may establish other subordinate committees to provide advice on specific areas of surface transportation research and development. Such subordinate committees shall be subject to subsections (e), (g), and (i) of this section.

"(g) Assistance of Secretary.—Upon request of the advisory committee, the Secretary shall provide such information, administrative services, support staff, and supplies as the Secretary determines to be necessary for the advisory committee to carry out its functions.

"(h) Reports.—The advisory committee shall, within 1 year after the date of establishment of the advisory committee, and annually thereafter, submit to the Congress a report summarizing its activities under this section.

"(i) Termination.—Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the advisory committee established under this section."

Fundamental Properties of Asphalts and Modified Asphalts

Pub. L. 102–240, title VI, §6016, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2182, as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1419(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1423, required the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration to conduct studies of the fundamental chemical and physical properties of petroleum asphalts and modified asphalts used in highway construction in the United States and to submit reports on the progress of the studies and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1992 to 1996.

Study of Factors Affecting Safe and Efficient Operation of Bridges, Tunnels and Roads Within United States

Pub. L. 95–599, title I, §166, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2722, provided that: "The Secretary of Transportation shall make a full and complete investigation and study of all those factors affecting the safe and efficient operation of bridges, tunnels, and roads within the United States, including, but not limited to, structural, operational, environmental, and civil disturbance factors."

§503. Research and technology development and deployment

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall—

(1) carry out research, development, and deployment activities that encompass the entire innovation lifecycle; and

(2) ensure that all research carried out under this section aligns with the transportation research and development strategic plan of the Secretary under section 6503 of title 49.

(b) Highway Research and Development Program.—

(1) Objectives.—In carrying out the highway research and development program, the Secretary, to address current and emerging highway transportation needs, shall—

(A) identify research topics;

(B) coordinate research and development activities;

(C) carry out research, testing, and evaluation activities;

(D) provide technology transfer and technical assistance;

(E) engage with public and private entities to spur advancement of emerging transformative innovations through accelerated market readiness; and

(F) consult frequently with public and private entities on new transportation technologies.

(2) Improving highway safety.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out research and development activities from an integrated perspective to establish and implement systematic measures to improve highway safety.

(B) Objectives.—In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall carry out research and development activities—

(i) to achieve greater long-term safety gains;

(ii) to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on public roads;

(iii) to fill knowledge gaps that limit the effectiveness of research;

(iv) to support the development and implementation of State strategic highway safety plans;

(v) to advance improvements in, and use of, performance prediction analysis for decisionmaking; and

(vi) to expand technology transfer to partners and stakeholders.

(C) Contents.—Research and technology activities carried out under this paragraph may include—

(i) safety assessments and decisionmaking tools;

(ii) data collection and analysis;

(iii) crash reduction projections;

(iv) low-cost safety countermeasures;

(v) innovative operational improvements and designs of roadway and roadside features;

(vi) evaluation of countermeasure costs and benefits;

(vii) development of tools for projecting impacts of safety countermeasures;

(viii) rural road safety measures;

(ix) safety measures for vulnerable road users, including bicyclists and pedestrians;

(x) safety measures to reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions;

(xi) safety policy studies;

(xii) human factors studies and measures;

(xiii) safety technology deployment;

(xiv) safety workforce professional capacity building initiatives;

(xv) safety program and process improvements; and

(xvi) tools and methods to enhance safety performance, including achievement of statewide safety performance targets.

(3) Improving infrastructure integrity.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out and facilitate highway and bridge infrastructure research and development activities—

(i) to maintain infrastructure integrity;

(ii) to meet user needs; and

(iii) to link Federal transportation investments to improvements in system performance.

(B) Objectives.—In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall carry out research and development activities—

(i) to reduce the number of fatalities attributable to infrastructure design characteristics and work zones;

(ii) to improve the safety and security of highway infrastructure;

(iii) to increase the reliability of lifecycle performance predictions used in infrastructure design, construction, and management;

(iv) to improve the ability of transportation agencies to deliver projects that meet expectations for timeliness, quality, and cost;

(v) to reduce user delay attributable to infrastructure system performance, maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction;

(vi) to improve highway condition and performance through increased use of design, materials, construction, and maintenance innovations;

(vii) to reduce the environmental impacts of highway infrastructure through innovations in design, construction, operation, preservation, and maintenance; and

(viii) to study vulnerabilities of the transportation system to seismic activities and extreme events, including weather, and methods to reduce those vulnerabilities.

(C) Contents.—Research and technology activities carried out under this paragraph may include—

(i) long-term infrastructure performance programs addressing pavements, bridges, tunnels, and other structures;

(ii) short-term and accelerated studies of infrastructure performance;

(iii) research to develop more durable infrastructure materials and systems;

(iv) advanced infrastructure design methods;

(v) accelerated highway and bridge construction;

(vi) performance-based specifications;

(vii) construction and materials quality assurance;

(viii) comprehensive and integrated infrastructure asset management;

(ix) infrastructure safety assurance;

(x) sustainable infrastructure design and construction;

(xi) infrastructure rehabilitation and preservation techniques, including techniques to rehabilitate and preserve historic infrastructure;

(xii) hydraulic, geotechnical, and aerodynamic aspects of infrastructure;

(xiii) improved highway construction technologies and practices;

(xiv) improved tools, technologies, and models for infrastructure management, including assessment and monitoring of infrastructure condition;

(xv) studies to improve flexibility and resiliency of infrastructure systems to withstand extreme weather events and climate variability;

(xvi) studies on the effectiveness of fiber-based additives to improve the durability of surface transportation materials in various geographic regions;

(xvii) studies of infrastructure resilience and other adaptation measures;

(xviii) maintenance of seismic research activities, including research carried out in conjunction with other Federal agencies to study the vulnerability of the transportation system to seismic activity and methods to reduce that vulnerability;

(xix) technology transfer and adoption of permeable, pervious, or porous paving materials, practices, and systems that are designed to minimize environmental impacts, stormwater runoff, and flooding and to treat or remove pollutants by allowing stormwater to infiltrate through the pavement in a manner similar to predevelopment hydrologic conditions; and

(xx) studies on the deployment and revenue potential of the deployment of energy and broadband infrastructure in highway rights-of-way, including potential adverse impacts of the use or nonuse of those rights-of-way.

(D) Lifecycle costs analysis study.—

(i) In general.—In this subparagraph, the term "lifecycle costs analysis" means a process for evaluating the total economic worth of a usable project segment by analyzing initial costs and discounted future costs, such as maintenance, user, reconstruction, rehabilitation, restoring, and resurfacing costs, over the life of the project segment.

(ii) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the best practices for calculating lifecycle costs and benefits for federally funded highway projects, which shall include, at a minimum, a thorough literature review and a survey of current lifecycle cost practices of State departments of transportation.

(iii) Consultation.—In carrying out the study, the Comptroller shall consult with, at a minimum—

(I) the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials;

(II) appropriate experts in the field of lifecycle cost analysis; and

(III) appropriate industry experts and research centers.

(E) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study which shall include—

(i) a summary of the latest research on lifecycle cost analysis; and

(ii) recommendations on the appropriate—

(I) period of analysis;

(II) design period;

(III) discount rates; and

(IV) use of actual material life and maintenance cost data.

(4) Strengthening transportation planning and environmental decisionmaking.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary may carry out research—

(i) to minimize the cost of transportation planning and environmental decisionmaking processes;

(ii) to improve transportation planning and environmental decisionmaking processes; and

(iii) to minimize the potential impact of surface transportation on the environment.

(B) Objectives.—In carrying out this paragraph the Secretary may carry out research and development activities—

(i) to minimize the cost of highway infrastructure and operations;

(ii) to reduce the potential impact of highway infrastructure and operations on the environment;

(iii) to advance improvements in environmental analyses and processes and context sensitive solutions for transportation decisionmaking;

(iv) to improve construction techniques;

(v) to accelerate construction to reduce congestion and related emissions;

(vi) to reduce the impact of highway runoff on the environment;

(vii) to improve understanding and modeling of the factors that contribute to the demand for transportation; and

(viii) to improve transportation planning decisionmaking and coordination.

(C) Contents.—Research and technology activities carried out under this paragraph may include—

(i) creation of models and tools for evaluating transportation measures and transportation system designs, including the costs and benefits;

(ii) congestion reduction efforts;

(iii) transportation and economic development planning in rural areas and small communities;

(iv) improvement of State, local, and tribal government capabilities relating to surface transportation planning and the environment; and

(v) streamlining of project delivery processes.

(5) Reducing congestion, improving highway operations, and enhancing freight productivity.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out research under this paragraph with the goals of—

(i) addressing congestion problems;

(ii) reducing the costs of congestion;

(iii) improving freight movement;

(iv) increasing productivity; and

(v) improving the economic competitiveness of the United States.

(B) Objectives.—In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall carry out research and development activities to identify, develop, and assess innovations that have the potential—

(i) to reduce traffic congestion;

(ii) to improve freight movement; and

(iii) to reduce freight-related congestion throughout the transportation network.

(C) Contents.—Research and technology activities carried out under this paragraph may include—

(i) active traffic and demand management;

(ii) acceleration of the implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems technology;

(iii) advanced transportation concepts and analysis;

(iv) arterial management and traffic signal operation;

(v) congestion pricing;

(vi) corridor management;

(vii) emergency operations;

(viii) research relating to enabling technologies and applications;

(ix) freeway management;

(x) evaluation of enabling technologies;

(xi) impacts of vehicle size and weight on congestion;

(xii) freight operations and technology;

(xiii) operations and freight performance measurement and management;

(xiv) organization and planning for operations;

(xv) planned special events management;

(xvi) real-time transportation information;

(xvii) road weather management;

(xviii) traffic and freight data and analysis tools;

(xix) traffic control devices;

(xx) traffic incident management;

(xxi) work zone management;

(xxii) communication of travel, roadway, and emergency information to persons with disabilities;

(xxiii) research on enhanced mode choice and intermodal connectivity;

(xxiv) techniques for estimating and quantifying public benefits derived from freight transportation projects; and

(xxv) other research areas to identify and address emerging needs related to freight transportation by all modes.

(6) Exploratory advanced research.—The Secretary shall carry out research and development activities relating to exploratory advanced research—

(A) to leverage the targeted capabilities of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center to develop technologies and innovations of national importance;

(B) to develop potentially transformational solutions to improve the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems; and

(C) to support research on non-market-ready technologies in consultation with public and private entities.

(7) Turner-fairbank highway research center.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall continue to operate in the Federal Highway Administration a Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.

(B) Uses of the center.—The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center shall support innovations by leading—

(i) the conduct of highway research and development relating to emerging highway technology;

(ii) the development of understandings, tools, and techniques that provide solutions to complex technical problems through the development of economical and environmentally sensitive designs, efficient and quality-controlled construction practices, and durable materials;

(iii) the development of innovative highway products and practices;

(iv) the conduct of long-term, high-risk research to improve the materials used in highway infrastructure; and

(v) the evaluation of information from accelerated market readiness efforts, including non-market-ready technologies, in consultation with other offices of the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other key partners.

(8) Infrastructure investment needs report.—

(A) In general.—Not later than July 31, 2013, and July 31 of every second year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes estimates of the current conditions and future needs of highways, bridges, and tunnels of the United States, including—

(i) the conditions and performance of the highway network for freight movement;

(ii) intelligent transportation systems;

(iii) resilience needs; and

(iv) the backlog of current highway, bridge, and tunnel needs.

(B) Comparisons.—Each report under subparagraph (A) shall include all information necessary to relate and compare the conditions and service measures used in the previous biennial reports to conditions and service measures used in the current report.

(C) Inclusions.—Each report under subparagraph (A) shall provide recommendations to Congress on changes to the highway performance monitoring system that address—

(i) improvements to the quality and standardization of data collection on all functional classifications of Federal-aid highways for accurate system length, lane length, and vehicle-mile of travel; and

(ii) changes to the reporting requirements authorized under section 315, to reflect recommendations under this paragraph for collection, storage, analysis, reporting, and display of data for Federal-aid highways and, to the maximum extent practical, all public roads.

(9) Analysis tools.—The Secretary may develop interactive modeling tools and databases that—

(A) track the full condition of highway assets, including interchanges, and the reconstruction history of those assets;

(B) can be used to assess transportation options;

(C) allow for the monitoring and modeling of network-level traffic flows on highways; and

(D) further Federal and State understanding of the importance of national and regional connectivity and the need for long-distance and interregional passenger and freight travel by highway and other surface transportation modes.

(c) Technology and Innovation Deployment Program.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out a technology and innovation deployment program relating to all aspects of highway transportation, including planning, financing, operation, structures, use of rights-of-way permissible under applicable law, materials, pavements, environment, construction, and the duration of time between project planning and project delivery, with the goals of—

(A) significantly accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies by the surface transportation community;

(B) providing leadership and incentives to demonstrate and promote state-of-the-art technologies, elevated performance standards, and new business practices in highway construction processes that result in improved safety, faster construction, reduced congestion from construction, and improved quality and user satisfaction;

(C) constructing longer-lasting highways through the use of innovative technologies and practices that lead to faster construction of efficient and safe highways and bridges;

(D) improving highway efficiency, safety, mobility, reliability, service life, environmental protection, and sustainability;

(E) developing and deploying new tools, techniques, and practices to accelerate the adoption of innovation in all aspects of highway transportation; and

(F) disseminating and evaluating information from accelerated market readiness efforts, including non-market-ready technologies, to public and private entities.

(2) Implementation.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall promote, facilitate, and carry out the program established under paragraph (1) to distribute the products, technologies, tools, methods, or other findings that result from highway research and development activities, including research and development activities carried out under this chapter.

(B) Accelerated innovation deployment.—In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(i) establish and carry out demonstration programs;

(ii) provide technical assistance, and training to researchers and developers; and

(iii) develop and deploy improved tools and methods to accelerate the adoption of early-stage and proven innovative practices and technologies and, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, support continued implementation of proven innovative practices and technologies as standard practices.

(C) Implementation of future strategic highway research program findings and results.—

(i) In general.—The Secretary, in consultation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences, shall promote research results and products developed under the future strategic highway research program administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences.

(ii) Basis for findings.—The activities carried out under this subparagraph shall be based on the report submitted to Congress by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences under section 510(e).

(iii) Personnel.—The Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this subsection for administrative costs under this subparagraph.

(D) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subparagraph and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and make publicly available on an internet website a report that describes—

(i) the activities the Secretary has undertaken to carry out the program established under paragraph (1); and

(ii) how and to what extent the Secretary has worked to disseminate non-market-ready technologies to public and private entities.

(3) Accelerated implementation and deployment of pavement technologies.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish and implement a program under the technology and innovation deployment program to promote, implement, deploy, demonstrate, showcase, support, and document the application of innovative pavement technologies, practices, performance, and benefits.

(B) Goals.—The goals of the accelerated implementation and deployment of pavement technologies program shall include—

(i) the deployment of new, cost-effective designs, materials, recycled materials, and practices to extend the pavement life and performance and to improve user satisfaction;

(ii) the reduction of initial costs and lifecycle costs of pavements, including the costs of new construction, replacement, maintenance, and rehabilitation;

(iii) the deployment of accelerated construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic disruption and congestion;

(iv) the deployment of engineering design criteria and specifications for new and efficient practices, products, and materials for use in highway pavements;

(v) the deployment of new nondestructive and real-time pavement evaluation technologies and construction techniques; and

(vi) effective technology transfer and information dissemination to accelerate implementation of new technologies and to improve life, performance, cost effectiveness, safety, and user satisfaction.

(C) High-friction surface treatment application study.—

(i) Definition of institution.—In this subparagraph, the term "institution" means a private sector entity, public agency, research university or other research institution, or organization representing transportation and technology leaders or other transportation stakeholders that, as determined by the Secretary, is capable of working with State highway agencies, the Federal Highway Administration, and the highway construction industry to develop and evaluate new products, design technologies, and construction methods that quickly lead to pavement improvements.

(ii) Study.—The Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with an institution to carry out a study on the use of natural and synthetic calcined bauxite as a high-friction surface treatment application on pavement.

(iii) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, the Secretary shall submit a report on the results of the study under clause (ii) to—

(I) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate;

(II) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;

(III) the Federal Highway Administration; and

(IV) the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

(D) Funding.—The Secretary shall obligate for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 from funds made available to carry out this subsection $12,000,000 to accelerate the deployment and implementation of pavement technology.

(E) Publication.—

(i) In general.—Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Secretary shall issue and make available to the public on an Internet website a report on the cost and benefits from deployment of new technology and innovations that substantially and directly resulted from the program established under this paragraph.

(ii) Inclusions.—The report under clause (i) may include an analysis of—

(I) Federal, State, and local cost savings;

(II) project delivery time improvements;

(III) reduced fatalities;

(IV) congestion impacts;

(V) pavement monitoring and data collection practices;

(VI) pavement durability and resilience;

(VII) stormwater management;

(VIII) impacts on vehicle efficiency;

(IX) the energy efficiency of the production of paving materials and the ability of paving materials to enhance the environment and promote sustainability; and

(X) integration of renewable energy in pavement designs.

(4) Advanced transportation technologies and innovative mobility deployment.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, mobility, efficiency, system performance, intermodal connectivity, and infrastructure return on investment.

(B) Criteria.—The Secretary shall develop criteria for selection of an eligible entity to receive a grant under this paragraph, including how the deployment of technology will—

(i) improve the mobility of people and goods;

(ii) improve the durability and extend the life of transportation infrastructure;

(iii) reduce costs and improve return on investments, including through optimization of existing transportation capacity;

(iv) protect the environment and deliver environmental benefits that alleviate congestion and streamline traffic flow;

(v) measure and improve the operational performance of the applicable transportation network;

(vi) reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes and increase driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety;

(vii) collect, disseminate, and use real-time traffic, work zone, weather, transit, paratransit, parking, and other transportation-related information to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and provide for more efficient, accessible, and integrated transportation and transportation services;

(viii) facilitate account-based payments for transportation access and services and integrate payment systems across modes;

(ix) monitor transportation assets to improve infrastructure management, reduce maintenance costs, prioritize investment decisions, and ensure a state of good repair;

(x) deliver economic benefits by reducing delays, improving system performance, and providing for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and services;

(xi) accelerate the deployment of vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-pedestrian, autonomous vehicles, and other technologies; or

(xii) incentivize travelers—

(I) to share trips during periods in which travel demand exceeds system capacity; or

(II) to shift trips to periods in which travel demand does not exceed system capacity.

(C) Applications.—

(i) Request.—Each fiscal year for which funding is made available for activities under this paragraph, the Secretary shall request applications in accordance with clause (ii).

(ii) Contents.—An application submitted under this subparagraph shall include the following:

(I) Plan.—A plan to deploy and provide for the long-term operation and maintenance of advanced transportation and congestion management technologies to improve safety, mobility, efficiency, system performance, and return on investment.

(II) Objectives.—Quantifiable system performance improvements, such as—

(aa) reducing traffic-related crashes, congestion, and costs;

(bb) optimizing system efficiency;

(cc) improving access to transportation services; and

(dd) facilitating payment for transportation services.

(III) Results.—Quantifiable safety, mobility, and environmental benefit projections such as data-driven estimates of how the project will improve the region's transportation system efficiency and reduce traffic congestion.

(IV) Partnerships.—A plan for partnering with the private sector or public agencies, including multimodal and multijurisdictional entities, research institutions, organizations representing transportation and technology leaders, or other transportation stakeholders.

(V) Leveraging.—A plan to leverage and optimize existing local and regional advanced transportation technology investments.

(D) Grant selection.—

(i) Grant awards.—Each fiscal year for which funding is made available for activities under this paragraph, the Secretary shall award grants to not less than 5 and not more than 10 eligible entities.

(ii) Geographic diversity.—

(I) In general.—Subject to subclause (II), in awarding a grant under this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that grant recipients represent diverse geographic areas of the United States, including urban and rural areas.

(II) Rural set-aside.—Not less than 20 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this paragraph shall be reserved for projects serving rural areas.

(iii) Technology diversity.—In awarding a grant under this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that grant recipients represent diverse technology solutions.

(E) Use of grant funds.—A grant recipient may use funds awarded under this paragraph to deploy advanced transportation and congestion management technologies, including—

(i) advanced traveler information systems;

(ii) advanced transportation management technologies;

(iii) advanced transportation technologies to improve emergency evacuation and response by Federal, State, and local authorities;

(iv) infrastructure maintenance, monitoring, and condition assessment;

(v) advanced public transportation systems;

(vi) transportation system performance data collection, analysis, and dissemination systems;

(vii) advanced safety systems, including vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, technologies associated with autonomous vehicles, and other collision avoidance technologies, including systems using cellular technology;

(viii) integration of intelligent transportation systems with the Smart Grid and other energy distribution and charging systems;

(ix) integrated corridor management systems;

(x) advanced parking reservation or variable pricing systems;

(xi) electronic pricing, toll collection, and payment systems;

(xii) technology that enhances high occupancy vehicle toll lanes, cordon pricing, or congestion pricing;

(xiii) integration of transportation service payment systems;

(xiv) advanced mobility, access, and on-demand transportation service technologies, such as dynamic ridesharing and other shared-use mobility applications and information systems to support human services for elderly and disabled individuals;

(xv) retrofitting dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) technology deployed as part of an existing pilot program to cellular vehicle-to-everything (C–V2X) technology, subject to the condition that the retrofitted technology operates only within the existing spectrum allocations for connected vehicle systems; or

(xvi) advanced transportation technologies, in accordance with the research areas described in section 6503 of title 49.

(F) Report to secretary.—For each eligible entity that receives a grant under this paragraph, not later than 1 year after the entity receives the grant, and each year thereafter, the entity shall submit a report to the Secretary that describes—

(i) deployment and operational costs of the project compared to the benefits and savings the project provides; and

(ii) how the project has met the original expectations projected in the deployment plan submitted with the application, such as—

(I) data on how the project has helped reduce traffic crashes, congestion, costs, and other benefits of the deployed systems;

(II) data on the effect of measuring and improving transportation system performance through the deployment of advanced technologies;

(III) the effectiveness of providing real-time integrated traffic, transit, and multimodal transportation information to the public to make informed travel decisions; and

(IV) lessons learned and recommendations for future deployment strategies to optimize transportation mobility, efficiency, multimodal system performance, and payment system performance.

(G) Report.—Not later than 3 years after the date that the first grant is awarded under this paragraph, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall make available to the public on an Internet website a report that describes the effectiveness of grant recipients in meeting their projected deployment plans, including data provided under subparagraph (F) on how the program has—

(i) reduced traffic-related fatalities and injuries;

(ii) reduced traffic congestion and improved travel time reliability;

(iii) reduced transportation-related emissions;

(iv) optimized multimodal system performance;

(v) improved access to transportation alternatives;

(vi) improved integration of payment systems;

(vii) provided the public with access to real-time integrated traffic, transit, and multimodal transportation information to make informed travel decisions;

(viii) provided cost savings to transportation agencies, businesses, and the traveling public; or

(ix) provided other benefits to transportation users and the general public.

(H) Additional grants.—The Secretary may cease to provide additional grant funds to a recipient of a grant under this paragraph if—

(i) the Secretary determines from such recipient's report that the recipient is not carrying out the requirements of the grant; and

(ii) the Secretary provides written notice 60 days prior to withholding funds to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(I) Funding.—

(i) In general.—From funds made available to carry out subsection (b), this subsection, and sections 512 through 518, the Secretary shall set aside for grants awarded under subparagraph (D) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

(ii) Expenses for the secretary.—Of the amounts set aside under clause (i), the Secretary may set aside $2,000,000 each fiscal year for program reporting, evaluation, and administrative costs related to this paragraph.

(J) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project for which a grant is awarded under this subsection shall not exceed 80 percent of the cost of the project.

(K) Grant limitation.—The Secretary may not award more than 20 percent of the amount described under subparagraph (I) in a fiscal year to a single grant recipient.

(L) Expenses for grant recipients.—A grant recipient under this paragraph may use not more than 5 percent of the funds awarded each fiscal year to carry out planning and reporting requirements.

(M) Grant flexibility.—

(i) In general.—If, by August 1 of each fiscal year, the Secretary determines that there are not enough grant applications that meet the requirements described in subparagraph (C) to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer to the programs specified in clause (ii)—

(I) any of the funds reserved for the fiscal year under subparagraph (I) that the Secretary has not yet awarded under this paragraph; and

(II) an amount of obligation limitation equal to the amount of funds that the Secretary transfers under subclause (I).

(ii) Programs.—The programs referred to in clause (i) are—

(I) the program under subsection (b);

(II) the program under this subsection; and

(III) the programs under sections 512 through 518.

(iii) Distribution.—Any transfer of funds and obligation limitation under clause (i) shall be divided among the programs referred to in that clause in the same proportions as the Secretary originally reserved funding from the programs for the fiscal year under subparagraph (I).

(N) Definitions.—In this paragraph:

(i) Eligible entity.—The term "eligible entity" means a State or local government, a transit agency, metropolitan planning organization, or other political subdivision of a State or local government or a multijurisdictional group or a consortia of research institutions or academic institutions.

(ii) Advanced and congestion management transportation technologies.—The term "advanced transportation and congestion management technologies" means technologies that improve the efficiency, safety, or state of good repair of surface transportation systems, including intelligent transportation systems.

(iii) Multijurisdictional group.—The term "multijurisdictional group" means any combination of State governments, local governments, metropolitan planning agencies, transit agencies, or other political subdivisions of a State for which each member of the group—

(I) has signed a written agreement to implement the advanced transportation technologies deployment initiative across jurisdictional boundaries; and

(II) is an eligible entity under this paragraph.

(5) Accelerated implementation and deployment of advanced digital construction management systems.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish and implement a program under the technology and innovation deployment program established under paragraph (1) to promote, implement, deploy, demonstrate, showcase, support, and document the application of advanced digital construction management systems, practices, performance, and benefits.

(B) Goals.—The goals of the accelerated implementation and deployment of advanced digital construction management systems program established under subparagraph (A) shall include—

(i) accelerated State adoption of advanced digital construction management systems applied throughout the construction lifecycle (including through the design and engineering, construction, and operations phases) that—

(I) maximize interoperability with other systems, products, tools, or applications;

(II) boost productivity;

(III) manage complexity;

(IV) reduce project delays and cost overruns; and

(V) enhance safety and quality;

(ii) more timely and productive information-sharing among stakeholders through reduced reliance on paper to manage construction processes and deliverables such as blueprints, design drawings, procurement and supply-chain orders, equipment logs, daily progress reports, and punch lists;

(iii) deployment of digital management systems that enable and leverage the use of digital technologies on construction sites by contractors, such as state-of-the-art automated and connected machinery and optimized routing software that allows construction workers to perform tasks faster, safer, more accurately, and with minimal supervision;

(iv) the development and deployment of best practices for use in digital construction management;

(v) increased technology adoption and deployment by States and units of local government that enables project sponsors—

(I) to integrate the adoption of digital management systems and technologies in contracts; and

(II) to weigh the cost of digitization and technology in setting project budgets;

(vi) technology training and workforce development to build the capabilities of project managers and sponsors that enables States and units of local government—

(I) to better manage projects using advanced construction management technologies; and

(II) to properly measure and reward technology adoption across projects of the State or unit of local government;

(vii) development of guidance to assist States in updating regulations of the State to allow project sponsors and contractors—

(I) to report data relating to the project in digital formats; and

(II) to fully capture the efficiencies and benefits of advanced digital construction management systems and related technologies;

(viii) reduction in the environmental footprint of construction projects using advanced digital construction management systems resulting from elimination of congestion through more efficient projects; and

(ix) enhanced worker and pedestrian safety resulting from increased transparency.

(C) Funding.—For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, the Secretary shall obligate from funds made available to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 to accelerate the deployment and implementation of advanced digital construction management systems.

(D) Publication.—

(i) In general.—Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall issue and make available to the public on a website a report on—

(I) progress made in the implementation of advanced digital management systems by States; and

(II) the costs and benefits of the deployment of new technology and innovations that substantially and directly resulted from the program established under this paragraph.

(ii) Inclusions.—The report under clause (i) may include an analysis of—

(I) Federal, State, and local cost savings;

(II) project delivery time improvements;

(III) congestion impacts; and

(IV) safety improvements for roadway users and construction workers.

(6) Center of excellence.—

(A) Definitions.—In this paragraph:

(i) Highly automated vehicle.—The term "highly automated vehicle" means a motor vehicle that—

(I) has a taxable gross weight (as defined in section 41.4482(b)–1 of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) of 10,000 pounds or less; and

(II) is equipped with a Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 automated driving system (as defined in the SAE International Recommended Practice numbered J3016 and dated June 15, 2018 (or a subsequent standard adopted by the Secretary)).

(ii) New mobility.—The term "new mobility" includes shared services such as—

(I) docked and dockless bicycles;

(II) docked and dockless electric scooters; and

(III) transportation network companies.

(B) Establishment.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, the Secretary shall establish a Center of Excellence to collect, conduct, and fund research on the impacts of new mobility and highly automated vehicles on land use, urban design, transportation, real estate, equity, and municipal budgets.

(C) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Center of Excellence is established, the Secretary shall submit a report that describes the results of the research regarding the impacts of new mobility and highly automated vehicles to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.

(D) Partnerships.—In establishing the Center of Excellence under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall enter into appropriate partnerships with any institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or public or private research entity.

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5103, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 427; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §§5202(b)(1), (2), 5203(a), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1786–1789; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52003(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 872; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §§6003, 6004, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13006(a)–(c), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 630–637.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(E), is the date of enactment of div. E of Pub. L. 112–141, which was approved July 6, 2012.

The date of enactment of this subparagraph and the date of enactment of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(D), (3)(C)(iii), (6)(B), are the date of enactment of div. A of Pub. L. 117–58, which was approved Nov. 15, 2021.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 503, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 831, related to administration of highway relocation assistance program, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(1), substituted "section 6503 of title 49" for "section 508".

Subsec. (b)(1)(E), (F). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(A), added subpars. (E) and (F).

Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(x) to (xvi). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(B), added cl. (x) and redesignated former cls. (x) to (xv) as (xi) to (xvi), respectively.

Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(viii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(C)(i), inserted ", including weather," after "events".

Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(xv). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(C)(ii)(I), inserted "extreme weather events and" after "withstand".

Subsec. (b)(3)(C)(xx). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(C)(ii)(II)–(IV), added cl. (xx).

Subsec. (b)(6)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(D), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (b)(7)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(E)(i), inserted "innovations by leading" after "support" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(v). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(E)(ii)–(iv), added cl. (v).

Subsec. (b)(8)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(F), substituted "current conditions and future needs of highways, bridges, and tunnels of the United States, including—" and cls. (i) to (iv) for "future highway and bridge needs of the United States and the backlog of current highway and bridge needs."

Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(2)(G), added par. (9).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(A)(i), inserted "use of rights-of-way permissible under applicable law," after "structures," in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1)(F). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(A)(ii)–(iv), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(B)(i), substituted "and deploy improved tools and methods to accelerate the adoption of early-stage and proven innovative practices and technologies and, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, support continued implementation" for "improved tools and methods to accelerate the adoption".

Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(B)(ii), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(C)(ii), added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).

Subsec. (c)(3)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(C)(i), (iii), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D) and substituted "fiscal years 2022 through 2026" for "fiscal years 2016 through 2020". Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).

Subsec. (c)(3)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(C)(i), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E).

Subsec. (c)(3)(E)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(C)(iv)(I), substituted "once every 3 years" for "annually".

Subsec. (c)(3)(E)(ii)(V) to (X). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(C)(iv)(II), added subcls. (V) to (X).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(1), inserted "and innovative mobility" before "deployment" in heading.

Subsec. (c)(4)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(2), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish an advanced transportation and congestion management technologies deployment initiative to provide grants to eligible entities to develop model deployment sites for large scale installation and operation of advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, efficiency, system performance, and infrastructure return on investment."

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(D), added cl. (i). Former cl. (i) redesignated (iii).

Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(A), substituted "optimization" for "the enhanced use".

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(D), added cl. (ii). Former cl. (ii) redesignated (iv).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), redesignated cl. (i) as (iii). Former cl. (iii) redesignated (v).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), (E), redesignated cl. (ii) as (iv) and substituted "protect the environment and deliver" for "deliver". Former cl. (iv) redesignated (vi).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(v). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), redesignated cl. (iii) as (v). Former cl. (v) redesignated (vii).

Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(B), substituted "work zone, weather, transit, paratransit," for "transit," and ", accessible, and integrated transportation and transportation services" for "and accessible transportation".

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(vi), (vii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), redesignated cls. (iv) and (v) as (vi) and (vii), respectively. Former cl. (vii) redesignated (x).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(viii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(F), added cl. (viii).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(ix). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), redesignated cl. (vi) as (ix).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(x). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), (G), redesignated cl. (vii) as (x) and struck out "or" at end.

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(xi). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(C), (H), redesignated cl. (viii) as (xi), inserted "vehicle-to-pedestrian," after "vehicle-to-infrastructure,", and substituted "; or" for period at end.

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(xii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(3)(I), added cl. (xii).

Subsec. (c)(4)(C)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(4)(A), substituted "Each fiscal year for which funding is made available for activities under this paragraph" for "Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and for every fiscal year thereafter".

Subsec. (c)(4)(C)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(4)(B)(i), inserted "mobility," after "safety,".

Subsec. (c)(4)(C)(ii)(II)(dd). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(4)(B)(ii), added item (dd).

Subsec. (c)(4)(D)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(5)(A), substituted "Each fiscal year for which funding is made available for activities under this paragraph" for "Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and for every fiscal year thereafter".

Subsec. (c)(4)(D)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(5)(B), designated existing provisions as subcl. (I), inserted heading, substituted "Subject to subclause (II), in awarding" for "In awarding", and added subcl. (II).

Subsec. (c)(4)(E)(iii) to (x). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(6)(A)–(C), added cls. (iii), (ix), and (x) and redesignated former cls. (iii) to (vii) as (iv) to (viii), respectively. Former cls. (viii) and (ix) redesignated (xi) and (xiv), respectively.

Subsec. (c)(4)(E)(xi). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(6)(A), (D), redesignated cl. (viii) as (xi), inserted ", toll collection," after "pricing", and struck out "or" at end.

Subsec. (c)(4)(E)(xii), (xiii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(6)(E), added cls. (xii) and (xiii).

Subsec. (c)(4)(E)(xiv). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(6)(A), (F), redesignated cl. (ix) as (xiv), substituted ", access, and on-demand transportation service" for "and access", inserted "and other shared-use mobility applications" after "ridesharing", and substituted semicolon for period at end.

Subsec. (c)(4)(E)(xv), (xvi). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(6)(G), added cls. (xv) and (xvi).

Subsec. (c)(4)(F)(ii)(IV). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(7), substituted "mobility, efficiency, multimodal system performance, and payment system performance" for "efficiency and multimodal system performance".

Subsec. (c)(4)(G)(vi) to (ix). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(8), added cl. (vi) and redesignated former cls. (vi) to (viii) as (vii) to (ix), respectively.

Subsec. (c)(4)(I)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(9), substituted "fiscal years 2022 through 2026" for "fiscal years 2016 through 2020".

Subsec. (c)(4)(J). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(10), substituted "80" for "50".

Subsec. (c)(4)(N). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(11)(A), struck out ", the following definitions apply" after "In this paragraph" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(4)(N)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(11)(B), struck out "representing a population of over 200,000" after "metropolitan planning organization".

Subsec. (c)(4)(N)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(b)(11)(C), substituted "any" for "a any" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(a)(3)(D), added par. (5).

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §13006(c), added par. (6).

2015—Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 114–94, §6003(1), substituted "2016 through 2020" for "2013 through 2014".

Subsec. (c)(3)(D). Pub. L. 114–94, §6003(2), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, §6004, added par. (4).

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to technology deployment.

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(a)(1), struck out "initiatives and partnerships" before "program" in heading.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(a)(2), added par. (1) and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: "The Secretary shall develop and administer a national technology deployment initiatives and partnerships program."

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(a)(3), added par. (7) and struck out heading and text of former par. (7). Text read as follows: "Under the program, the Secretary may make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to foster alliances and support efforts to stimulate advances in transportation technology, including—

"(A) the testing and evaluation of products of the strategic highway research program;

"(B) the further development and implementation of technology in areas such as the Superpave system and the use of lithium salts and other alternatives to prevent and mitigate alkali silica reactivity;

"(C) the provision of support for long-term pavement performance product implementation and technology access; and

"(D) other activities to achieve the goals established under paragraph (3)."

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(a)(4), added par. (8) and struck out heading and text of former par. (8). Text read as follows: "Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the progress and results of activities carried out under this section."

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, §5202(b)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall establish and carry out a program to demonstrate the application of innovative material technology in the construction of bridges and other structures."

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §5202(b)(2), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The goals of the program shall include—

"(A) the development of new, cost-effective innovative material highway bridge applications;

"(B) the reduction of maintenance costs and life-cycle costs of bridges, including the costs of new construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of deficient bridges;

"(C) the development of construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic congestion;

"(D) the development of engineering design criteria for innovative products and materials for use in highway bridges and structures;

"(E) the development of cost-effective and innovative techniques to separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic from railroad traffic;

"(F) the development of highway bridges and structures that will withstand natural disasters, including alternative processes for the seismic retrofit of bridges; and

"(G) the development of new nondestructive bridge evaluation technologies and techniques."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(b)(1), added subsec. (c).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(c)(1), added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–59, §5203(d), added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13001(a)–(e), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 622–624, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a program to test the feasibility of a road usage fee and other user-based alternative revenue mechanisms (referred to in this section as 'user-based alternative revenue mechanisms') to help maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund, through pilot projects at the State, local, and regional level.

"(b) Grants.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to carry out pilot projects under this section.

"(2) Applications.—To be eligible for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

"(3) Objectives.—The Secretary shall ensure that, in the aggregate, the pilot projects carried out using funds provided under this section meet the following objectives:

"(A) To test the design, acceptance, equity, and implementation of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms, including among—

"(i) differing income groups; and

"(ii) rural and urban drivers, as applicable.

"(B) To provide recommendations regarding adoption and implementation of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.

"(C) To quantify and minimize the administrative costs of any potential user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.

"(D) To test a variety of solutions, including the use of independent and private third-party vendors, for the collection of data and fees from user-based alternative revenue mechanisms, including the reliability and security of those solutions and vendors.

"(E) To test solutions to ensure the privacy and security of data collected for the purpose of implementing a user-based alternative revenue mechanism.

"(F) To conduct public education and outreach to increase public awareness regarding the need for user-based alternative revenue mechanisms for surface transportation programs.

"(G) To evaluate the ease of compliance and enforcement of a variety of implementation approaches for different users of the surface transportation system.

"(H) To ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the use of innovation.

"(I) To consider, to the greatest extent practicable, the potential for revenue collection along a network of alternative fueling stations.

"(J) To evaluate the impacts of the imposition of a user-based alternative revenue mechanism on—

"(i) transportation revenues;

"(ii) personal mobility, driving patterns, congestion, and transportation costs; and

"(iii) freight movement and costs.

"(K) To evaluate options for the integration of a user-based alternative revenue mechanism with—

"(i) nationwide transportation revenue collections and regulations;

"(ii) toll revenue collection platforms;

"(iii) transportation network company fees; and

"(iv) any other relevant transportation revenue mechanisms.

"(4) Eligible entity.—An entity eligible to apply for a grant under this section is—

"(A) a State or a group of States;

"(B) a local government or a group of local governments; or

"(C) a metropolitan planning organization (as defined in section 134(b) of title 23, United States Code) or a group of metropolitan planning organizations.

"(5) Use of funds.—An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to carry out a pilot project to address 1 or more of the objectives described in paragraph (3).

"(6) Consideration.—The Secretary shall consider geographic diversity in awarding grants under this subsection.

"(7) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of a pilot project carried out under this section may not exceed—

"(A) 80 percent of the total cost of a project carried out by an eligible entity that has not otherwise received a grant under this section; and

"(B) 70 percent of the total cost of a project carried out by an eligible entity that has received at least 1 grant under this section.

"(c) Limitation on Revenue Collected.—Any revenue collected through a user-based alternative revenue mechanism established using funds provided under this section shall not be considered a toll under section 301 of title 23, United States Code.

"(d) Recommendations and Report.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board established under section 13002(g)(1) [of Pub. L. 117–58, set out below], shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—

"(1) summarizes the results of the pilot projects under this section and the national pilot program under section 13002; and

"(2) provides recommendations, if applicable, to enable potential implementation of a nationwide user-based alternative revenue mechanism.

"(e) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—Of the funds made available to carry out section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026[,] $15,000,000 shall be used for pilot projects under this section.

"(2) Flexibility.—If, by August 1 of each fiscal year, the Secretary determines that there are not enough grant applications to meet the requirements of this section for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer to the national pilot program under section 13002 or to the highway research and development program under section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code—

"(A) any funds reserved for a fiscal year under paragraph (1) that the Secretary has not yet awarded under this section; and

"(B) an amount of obligation limitation equal to the amount of funds that the Secretary transfers under subparagraph (A)."

National Motor Vehicle Per-Mile User Fee Pilot

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13002, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 624, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Advisory board.—The term 'advisory board' means the Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board established under subsection (g)(1).

"(2) Commercial vehicle.—The term 'commercial vehicle' has the meaning given the term commercial motor vehicle in section 31101 of title 49, United States Code.

"(3) Highway trust fund.—The term 'Highway Trust Fund' means the Highway Trust Fund established under section 9503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 9503].

"(4) Light truck.—The term 'light truck' has the meaning given the term in section 523.2 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).

"(5) Medium- and heavy-duty truck.—The term 'medium- and heavy-duty truck' has the meaning given the term 'commercial medium- and heavy-duty on-highway vehicle' in section 32901(a) of title 49, United States Code.

"(6) Passenger motor vehicle.—The term 'passenger motor vehicle' has the meaning given the term in section 32101 of title 49, United States Code.

"(7) Per-mile user fee.—The term 'per-mile user fee' means a revenue mechanism that—

"(A) is applied to road users operating motor vehicles on the surface transportation system; and

"(B) is based on the number of vehicle miles traveled by an individual road user.

"(8) Pilot program.—The term 'pilot program' means the pilot program established under subsection (b)(1).

"(9) Volunteer participant.—The term 'volunteer participant' means—

"(A) an owner or lessee of a private, personal motor vehicle who volunteers to participate in the pilot program;

"(B) a commercial vehicle operator who volunteers to participate in the pilot program; or

"(C) an owner of a motor vehicle fleet who volunteers to participate in the pilot program.

"(b) Establishment.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation], in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, and consistent with the recommendations of the advisory board, shall establish a pilot program to demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee—

"(A) to restore and maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund; and

"(B) to improve and maintain the surface transportation system.

"(2) Objectives.—The objectives of the pilot program are—

"(A) to test the design, acceptance, implementation, and financial sustainability of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee;

"(B) to address the need for additional revenue for surface transportation infrastructure and a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee; and

"(C) to provide recommendations relating to the adoption and implementation of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee.

"(c) Parameters.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall—

"(1) provide different methods that volunteer participants can choose from to track motor vehicle miles traveled;

"(2) solicit volunteer participants from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

"(3) ensure an equitable geographic distribution by population among volunteer participants;

"(4) include commercial vehicles and passenger motor vehicles; and

"(5) use components of and, where appropriate, coordinate with—

"(A) the States that received a grant under section 6020 of the FAST Act ([former] 23 U.S.C. 503 note; Public Law 114–94) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021]); and

"(B) eligible entities that received a grant under section 13001 [of Pub. L. 117–58, set out above].

"(d) Methods.—

"(1) Tools.—In selecting the methods described in subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall coordinate with entities that voluntarily provide to the Secretary for use under the pilot program any of the following vehicle-miles-traveled collection tools:

"(A) Third-party on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) devices.

"(B) Smart phone applications.

"(C) Telemetric data collected by automakers.

"(D) Motor vehicle data obtained by car insurance companies.

"(E) Data from the States that received a grant under section 6020 of the FAST Act ([former] 23 U.S.C. 503 note; Public Law 114–94) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021]).

"(F) Motor vehicle data obtained from fueling stations.

"(G) Any other method that the Secretary considers appropriate.

"(2) Coordination.—

"(A) Selection.—The Secretary shall determine which collection tools under paragraph (1) are selected for the pilot program.

"(B) Volunteer participants.—In a manner that the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall enable each volunteer participant to choose 1 of the selected collection tools under paragraph (1).

"(e) Motor Vehicle Per-mile User Fees.—For the purposes of the pilot program, the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish, on an annual basis, per-mile user fees for passenger motor vehicles, light trucks, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which amount may vary between vehicle types and weight classes to reflect estimated impacts on infrastructure, safety, congestion, the environment, or other related social impacts.

"(f) Volunteer Participants.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall—

"(1)(A) ensure, to the extent practicable, that the greatest number of volunteer participants participate in the pilot program; and

"(B) ensure that such volunteer participants represent geographically diverse regions of the United States, including from urban and rural areas; and

"(2) issue policies relating to the protection of volunteer participants, including policies that—

"(A) protect the privacy of volunteer participants; and

"(B) secure the data provided by volunteer participants.

"(g) Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary shall establish an advisory board, to be known as the 'Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board', to assist with—

"(A) providing the Secretary with recommendations related to the structure, scope, and methodology for developing and implementing the pilot program;

"(B) carrying out the public awareness campaign under subsection (h); and

"(C) developing the report under subsection (n).

"(2) Membership.—The advisory board shall include, at a minimum, the following representatives and entities, to be appointed by the Secretary:

"(A) State departments of transportation.

"(B) Any public or nonprofit entity that led a surface transportation system funding alternatives pilot project under section 6020 of the FAST Act ([former] 23 U.S.C. 503 note; Public Law 114–94) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021]).

"(C) Representatives of the trucking industry, including owner-operator independent drivers.

"(D) Data security experts with expertise in personal privacy.

"(E) Academic experts on surface transportation systems.

"(F) Consumer advocates, including privacy experts.

"(G) Advocacy groups focused on equity.

"(H) Owners of motor vehicle fleets.

"(I) Owners and operators of toll facilities.

"(J) Tribal groups or representatives.

"(K) Any other representatives or entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

"(3) Recommendations.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the advisory board is established under paragraph (1), the advisory board shall provide the Secretary with the recommendations described in subparagraph (A) of that paragraph, which the Secretary shall use in implementing the pilot program.

"(h) Public Awareness Campaign.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary, with guidance from the advisory board, may carry out a public awareness campaign to increase public awareness regarding a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee, including distributing information—

"(A) related to the pilot program;

"(B) from the State surface transportation system funding alternatives pilot program under section 6020 of the FAST Act ([former] 23 U.S.C. 503 note; Public Law 114–94) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021]); and

"(C) related to consumer privacy.

"(2) Considerations.—In carrying out the public awareness campaign under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider issues unique to each State.

"(i) Revenue Collection.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Secretary, shall establish a mechanism to collect motor vehicle per-mile user fees established under subsection (e) from volunteer participants, which—

"(1) may be adjusted as needed to address technical challenges; and

"(2) may allow independent and private third-party vendors to collect the motor vehicle per-mile user fees and forward such fees to the Treasury.

"(j) Agreement.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a volunteer participant containing such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary for participation in the pilot program.

"(k) Limitation.—Any revenue collected through the mechanism established under subsection (i) shall not be considered a toll under section 301 of title 23, United States Code.

"(l) Highway Trust Fund.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure that any revenue collected under subsection (i) is deposited into the Highway Trust Fund.

"(m) Payment.—Not more than 60 days after the end of each calendar quarter in which a volunteer participant has participated in the pilot program, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall estimate an amount of payment for each volunteer based on the vehicle miles submitted by the volunteer for the calendar quarter and issue such payment to such volunteer participant.

"(n) Report to Congress.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which volunteer participants begin participating in the pilot program, and each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that includes an analysis of—

"(1) whether the objectives described in subsection (b)(2) were achieved;

"(2) how volunteer participant protections in subsection (f)(2) were complied with;

"(3) whether motor vehicle per-mile user fees can maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and improve and maintain the surface transportation system, which shall include estimates of administrative costs related to collecting such motor vehicle per mile user fees;

"(4) how the privacy of volunteers was maintained; and

"(5) equity impacts of the pilot program, including the impacts of the pilot program on low-income commuters.

"(o) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—Of the funds made available to carry out section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026[,] $10,000,000 shall be used to carry out the pilot program under this section.

"(2) Excess funds.—Any excess funds remaining after carrying out the pilot program under this section shall be available to make grants for pilot projects under section 13001 [of Pub. L. 117–58, set out above]."

Data Integration Pilot Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13004, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 629, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a pilot program—

"(1) to provide research and develop models that integrate, in near-real-time, data from multiple sources, including geolocated—

"(A) weather conditions;

"(B) roadway conditions;

"(C) incidents, work zones, and other nonrecurring events related to emergency planning; and

"(D) information from emergency responders; and

"(2) to facilitate data integration between the Department [of Transportation], the National Weather Service, and other sources of data that provide real-time data with respect to roadway conditions during or as a result of severe weather events, including, at a minimum—

"(A) winter weather;

"(B) heavy rainfall; and

"(C) tropical weather events.

"(b) Requirements.—In carrying out subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall—

"(1) address the safety, resiliency, and vulnerability of the transportation system to disasters; and

"(2) develop tools for decisionmakers and other end-users who could use or benefit from the integrated data described in that subsection to improve public safety and mobility.

"(c) Treatment.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall carry out activities under the pilot program under this section as if—

"(1) those activities were authorized under chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code; and

"(2) the funds made available to carry out the pilot program were made available under that chapter.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended."

Emerging Technology Research Pilot Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13005, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 629, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a pilot program to conduct emerging technology research in accordance with this section.

"(b) Activities.—The pilot program under this section shall include—

"(1) research and development activities relating to leveraging advanced and additive manufacturing technologies to increase the structural integrity and cost-effectiveness of surface transportation infrastructure; and

"(2) research and development activities (including laboratory and test track supported accelerated pavement testing research regarding the impacts of connected, autonomous, and platooned vehicles on pavement and infrastructure performance)—

"(A) to reduce the impact of automated and connected driving systems and advanced driver-assistance systems on pavement and infrastructure performance; and

"(B) to improve transportation infrastructure design in anticipation of increased usage of automated driving systems and advanced driver-assistance systems.

"(c) Treatment.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall carry out activities under the pilot program under this section as if—

"(1) those activities were authorized under chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code; and

"(2) the funds made available to carry out the pilot program were made available under that chapter.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended."

Open Challenge and Research Proposal Pilot Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13006(e), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 638, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish an open challenge and research proposal pilot program under which eligible entities may propose open highway challenges and research proposals that are linked to identified or potential research needs.

"(2) Requirements.—A research proposal submitted to the Secretary by an eligible entity shall address—

"(A) a research need identified by the Secretary or the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration; or

"(B) an issue or challenge that the Secretary determines to be important.

"(3) Eligible entities.—An entity eligible to submit a research proposal under the pilot program under paragraph (1) is—

"(A) a State;

"(B) a unit of local government;

"(C) a university transportation center under section 5505 of title 49, United States Code;

"(D) a private nonprofit organization;

"(E) a private sector organization working in collaboration with an entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D); and

"(F) any other individual or entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(4) Project review.—The Secretary shall—

"(A) review each research proposal submitted under the pilot program under paragraph (1); and

"(B) provide to the eligible entity a written notice that—

"(i) if the research proposal is not selected—

"(I) notifies the eligible entity that the research proposal has not been selected for funding;

"(II) provides an explanation as to why the research proposal was not selected, including if the research proposal does not cover an area of need; and

"(III) if applicable, recommend that the research proposal be submitted to another research program and provide guidance and direction to the eligible entity and the proposed research program office; and

"(ii) if the research proposal is selected, notifies the eligible entity that the research proposal has been selected for funding.

"(5) Federal share.—

"(A) In general.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out under this subsection shall not exceed 80 percent.

"(B) Non-federal share.—All costs directly incurred by the non-Federal partners, including personnel, travel, facility, and hardware development costs, shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out under this subsection."

Research on Connected Vehicle Technology

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, §24219, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 831, provided that: "The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in collaboration with the head of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, shall—

"(1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], expand vehicle-to-pedestrian research efforts focused on incorporating bicyclists and other vulnerable road users into the safe deployment of connected vehicle systems; and

"(2) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress and make publicly available a report describing the findings of the research efforts described in paragraph (1), including an analysis of the extent to which applications supporting vulnerable road users can be accommodated within existing spectrum allocations for connected vehicle systems."

Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6020, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1582, which established a program to provide grants to States to demonstrate user-based alternative revenue mechanisms that utilize a user fee structure to maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13001(f)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 624.

High Performing Steel Bridge Research and Technology Transfer

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5202(c), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1786, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out a program to demonstrate the application of high-performing steel in the construction and rehabilitation of bridges.

"(2) Funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $4,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this subsection."

Steel Bridge Testing

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5202(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1787, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out a program to test steel bridges using a nondestructive technology that is able to detect growing cracks, including subsurface flaws as small as 0.010 inches in length or depth, in the bridges.

"(2) Funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $1,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this subsection.

"(3) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out in accordance with this subsection shall be 80 percent."

§504. Training and education

(a) National Highway Institute.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall operate in the Federal Highway Administration a National Highway Institute (in this subsection referred to as the "Institute"). The Secretary shall administer, through the Institute, the authority vested in the Secretary by this title or by any other law for the development and conduct of education and training programs relating to highways.

(2) Duties of the institute.—In cooperation with State transportation departments, United States industry, and any national or international entity, the Institute shall develop and administer education and training programs of instruction for—

(A) Federal Highway Administration, State, and local transportation agency employees and the employees of any other applicable Federal agency;

(B) regional, State, and metropolitan planning organizations;

(C) State and local police, public safety, and motor vehicle employees; and

(D) United States citizens and foreign nationals engaged or to be engaged in surface transportation work of interest to the United States.

(3) Courses.—

(A) In general.—The Institute shall—

(i) develop or update existing courses in asset management, including courses that include such components as—

(I) the determination of life-cycle costs;

(II) the valuation of assets;

(III) benefit-to-cost ratio calculations; and

(IV) objective decisionmaking processes for project selection; and

(ii) continually develop courses relating to the application of emerging technologies for—

(I) transportation infrastructure applications and asset management;

(II) intelligent transportation systems;

(III) operations (including security operations);

(IV) the collection and archiving of data;

(V) reducing the amount of time required for the planning and development of transportation projects; and

(VI) the intermodal movement of individuals and freight.

(B) Additional courses.—In addition to the courses developed under subparagraph (A), the Institute, in consultation with State transportation departments, metropolitan planning organizations, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, may develop courses relating to technology, methods, techniques, engineering, construction, safety, maintenance, environmental mitigation and compliance, regulations, management, inspection, and finance.

(C) Revision of courses offered.—The Institute shall periodically—

(i) review the course inventory of the Institute; and

(ii) revise or cease to offer courses based on course content, applicability, and need.

(4) Set-aside; federal share.—Not to exceed ½ of 1 percent of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) for the surface transportation block grant program shall be available for expenditure by the State transportation department for the payment of not to exceed 80 percent of the cost of tuition and direct educational expenses (excluding salaries) in connection with the education and training of employees of State and local transportation agencies in accordance with this subsection.

(5) Federal responsibility.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), education and training of employees of Federal, State, and local transportation (including highway) agencies authorized under this subsection may be provided—

(i) by the Secretary at no cost to the States and local governments if the Secretary determines that provision at no cost is in the public interest; or

(ii) by the State through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, individuals, and the Institute.

(B) Payment of full cost by private persons.—Private agencies, international or foreign entities, and individuals shall pay the full cost of any education and training received by them unless the Secretary determines that a lower cost is of critical importance to the public interest.

(6) Training fellowships; cooperation.—The Institute may—

(A) engage in training activities authorized under this subsection, including the granting of training fellowships; and

(B) carry out its authority independently or in cooperation with any other branch of the Federal Government or any State agency, authority, association, institution, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, other national or international entity, or other person.

(7) Collection of fees.—

(A) General rule.—In accordance with this subsection, the Institute may assess and collect fees solely to defray the costs of the Institute in developing or administering education and training programs under this subsection.

(B) Limitation.—Fees may be assessed and collected under this subsection only in a manner that may reasonably be expected to result in the collection of fees during any fiscal year in an aggregate amount that does not exceed the aggregate amount of the costs referred to in subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year.

(C) Persons subject to fees.—Fees may be assessed and collected under this subsection only with respect to—

(i) persons and entities for whom education or training programs are developed or administered under this subsection; and

(ii) persons and entities to whom education or training is provided under this subsection.

(D) Amount of fees.—The fees assessed and collected under this subsection shall be established in a manner that ensures that the liability of any person or entity for a fee is reasonably based on the proportion of the costs referred to in subparagraph (A) that relate to the person or entity.

(E) Use.—All fees collected under this subsection shall be used to defray costs associated with the development or administration of education and training programs authorized under this subsection.

(8) Relation to fees.—The funds made available to carry out this subsection may be combined with or held separate from the fees collected under paragraph (7).

(b) Local Technical Assistance Program.—

(1) Authority.—The Secretary shall carry out a local technical assistance program that will provide access to surface transportation technology to—

(A) highway and transportation agencies in urbanized and rural areas;

(B) contractors that perform work for the agencies; and

(C) infrastructure security staff.

(2) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.—The Secretary may make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to provide education and training, technical assistance, and related support services to—

(A) assist rural, local transportation agencies and tribal governments, and the consultants and construction personnel working for the agencies and governments, to—

(i) develop and expand expertise in road and transportation areas (including pavement, bridge, concrete structures, intermodal connections, safety management systems, intelligent transportation systems, incident response, operations, and traffic safety countermeasures);

(ii) improve roads and bridges;

(iii) enhance—

(I) programs for the movement of passengers and freight; and

(II) intergovernmental transportation planning and project selection; and

(iv) deal effectively with special transportation-related problems by preparing and providing training packages, manuals, guidelines, and technical resource materials;

(B) develop technical assistance for tourism and recreational travel;

(C) identify, package, and deliver transportation technology and traffic safety information to local jurisdictions to assist urban transportation agencies in developing and expanding their ability to deal effectively with transportation-related problems (particularly the promotion of regional cooperation);

(D) operate, in cooperation with State transportation departments and universities—

(i) local technical assistance program centers designated to provide transportation technology transfer services to rural areas and to urbanized areas; and

(ii) local technical assistance program centers designated to provide transportation technical assistance to tribal governments; and

(E) allow local transportation agencies and tribal governments, in cooperation with the private sector, to enhance new technology implementation.

(3) Federal share.—

(A) Local technical assistance centers.—

(i) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out by a local technical assistance center under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be 50 percent.

(ii) Non-federal share.—The non-Federal share of the cost of an activity described in clause (i) may consist of amounts provided to a recipient under subsection (e) or section 505, up to 100 percent of the non-Federal share.

(B) Tribal technical assistance centers.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out by a tribal technical assistance center under paragraph (2)(D)(ii) shall be 100 percent.

(c) Research Fellowships.—

(1) General authority.—The Secretary, acting either independently or in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, may make grants for research fellowships for any purpose for which research is authorized by this chapter.

(2) Dwight david eisenhower transportation fellowship program.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish and implement a transportation research fellowship program for the purpose of attracting qualified students to the field of transportation, which program shall be known as the "Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program".

(B) Use of amounts.—Amounts provided to institutions of higher education to carry out this paragraph shall be used to provide direct support of student expenses.

(d) Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program to improve the preparation of students, particularly women and minorities, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through curriculum development and other activities related to transportation.

(2) Authorized activities.—The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection on the basis of competitive peer review. Grants awarded under this subsection may be used for enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the elementary and secondary school level through such means as—

(A) internships that offer students experience in the transportation field;

(B) programs that allow students to spend time observing scientists and engineers in the transportation field; and

(C) developing relevant curriculum that uses examples and problems related to transportation.

(3) Application and review procedures.—

(A) In general.—An entity described in subparagraph (C) seeking funding under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application, at a minimum, shall include a description of how the funds will be used to serve the purposes described in paragraph (2).

(B) Priority.—In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that will encourage the participation of women and minorities.

(C) Eligibility.—Local educational agencies and State educational agencies, which may enter into a partnership agreement with institutions of higher education, businesses, or other entities, shall be eligible to apply for grants under this subsection.

(4) Definitions.—In this subsection, the following definitions apply:

(A) Institution of higher education.—The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(B) Local educational agency.—The term "local educational agency" has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

(C) State educational agency.—The term "State educational agency" has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

(e) Surface Transportation Workforce Development, Training, and Education.—

(1) Funding.—Subject to project approval by the Secretary, a State may obligate funds apportioned to the State under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 104(b) for surface transportation workforce development, training, and education, including—

(A) tuition and direct educational expenses, excluding salaries, in connection with the education and training of employees of State and local transportation agencies;

(B) employee professional development;

(C) student internships;

(D) pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and career opportunities for on-the-job training;

(E) university, college, community college, or vocational school support;

(F) education activities, including outreach, to develop interest and promote participation in surface transportation careers;

(G) activities associated with workforce training and employment services, such as targeted outreach and partnerships with industry, economic development organizations, workforce development boards, and labor organizations;

(H) activities carried out by the National Highway Institute under subsection (a); and

(I) local technical assistance programs under subsection (b).

(2) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out in accordance with this subsection shall be 100 percent, except for activities carried out under paragraph (1)(I), for which the Federal share shall be 50 percent.

(3) Surface transportation workforce development, training, and education defined.—In this subsection, the term "surface transportation workforce development, training, and education" means activities associated with surface transportation career awareness, student transportation career preparation, and training and professional development for surface transportation workers, including—

(A) activities for women and minorities;

(B) activities that address current workforce gaps, such as work on construction projects, of State and local transportation agencies;

(C) activities to develop a robust surface transportation workforce with new skills resulting from emerging transportation technologies; and

(D) activities to attract new sources of job-creating investment.

(f) Transportation Education and Training Development and Deployment Program.—

(1) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a program to make grants to educational institutions or State departments of transportation, in partnership with industry and relevant Federal departments and agencies—

(A) to develop, test, and review new curricula and education programs to train individuals at all levels of the transportation workforce; or

(B) to implement the new curricula and education programs to provide for hands-on career opportunities to meet current and future needs.

(2) Selection of grant recipients.—In selecting applications for awards under this subsection, the Secretary may consider—

(A) the degree to which the new curricula or education program meets the specific current or future needs of a segment of the transportation industry, States, or regions;

(B) providing for practical experience and on-the-job training;

(C) proposals oriented toward practitioners in the field rather than the support and growth of the research community;

(D) the degree to which the new curricula or program will provide training in areas other than engineering, such as business administration, economics, information technology, environmental science, and law;

(E) programs or curricula that train professionals for work in the transportation field, such as construction, materials, information technology, environmental science, urban planning, and industrial or emerging technology; and

(F) the commitment of industry or a State's department of transportation to the program.

(3) Reporting.—The Secretary shall establish minimum reporting requirements for grant recipients under this subsection, which may include, with respect to a program carried out with a grant under this subsection—

(A) the percentage or number of program participants that are employed during the second quarter after exiting the program;

(B) the percentage or number of program participants that are employed during the fourth quarter after exiting the program;

(C) the median earnings of program participants that are employed during the second quarter after exiting the program;

(D) the percentage or number of program participants that obtain a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma (or a recognized equivalent) during participation in the program or by not later than 1 year after exiting the program; and

(E) the percentage or number of program participants that, during a program year—

(i) are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment; and

(ii) are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment.

(4) Limitations.—The amount of a grant under this subsection shall not exceed $300,000 per year. After a recipient has received 3 years of Federal funding under this subsection, Federal funding may equal not more than 75 percent of a grantee's program costs.

(g) Freight Capacity Building Program.—

(1) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a freight planning capacity building initiative to support enhancements in freight transportation planning in order to—

(A) better target investments in freight transportation systems to maintain efficiency and productivity; and

(B) strengthen the decisionmaking capacity of State transportation departments and local transportation agencies with respect to freight transportation planning and systems.

(2) Agreements.—The Secretary shall enter into agreements to support and carry out administrative and management activities relating to the governance of the freight planning capacity initiative.

(3) Stakeholder involvement.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and other freight planning stakeholders, including the other Federal agencies, State transportation departments, local governments, nonprofit entities, academia, and the private sector.

(4) Eligible activities.—The freight planning capacity building initiative shall include research, training, and education in the following areas:

(A) The identification and dissemination of best practices in freight transportation.

(B) Providing opportunities for freight transportation staff to engage in peer exchange.

(C) Refinement of data and analysis tools used in conjunction with assessing freight transportation needs.

(D) Technical assistance to State transportation departments and local transportation agencies reorganizing to address freight transportation issues.

(E) Facilitating relationship building between governmental and private entities involved in freight transportation.

(F) Identifying ways to target the capacity of State transportation departments and local transportation agencies to address freight considerations in operations, security, asset management, and environmental stewardship in connection with long-range multimodal transportation planning and project implementation.

(5) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out under this section shall be up to 100 percent, and such funds shall remain available until expended.

(6) Use of funds.—Funds made available for the program established under this subsection may be used for research, program development, information collection and dissemination, and technical assistance. The Secretary may use such funds independently or make grants to and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with a Federal agency, State agency, local agency, federally recognized Indian tribal government or tribal consortium, authority, association, nonprofit or for-profit corporation, or institution of higher education, to carry out the purposes of this subsection.

(h) Centers for Surface Transportation Excellence.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall make grants under this section to establish and maintain centers for surface transportation excellence.

(2) Goals.—The goals of a center referred to in paragraph (1) shall be to promote and support strategic national surface transportation programs and activities relating to the work of State departments of transportation in the areas of environment, surface transportation safety, rural safety, and project finance.

(3) Role of the centers.—To achieve the goals set forth in paragraph (2), any centers established under paragraph (1) shall provide technical assistance, information sharing of best practices, and training in the use of tools and decisionmaking processes that can assist States in effectively implementing surface transportation programs, projects, and policies.

(4) Program administration.—

(A) Competition.—A party entering into a contract, cooperative agreement, or other transaction with the Secretary under this subsection, or receiving a grant to perform research or provide technical assistance under this subsection, shall be selected on a competitive basis.

(B) Strategic plan.—The Secretary shall require each center to develop a multiyear strategic plan, that—

(i) is submitted to the Secretary at such time as the Secretary requires; and

(ii) describes—

(I) the activities to be undertaken by the center; and

(II) how the work of the center will be coordinated with the activities of the Federal Highway Administration and the various other research, development, and technology transfer activities authorized under this chapter.

(i) Use of Funds.—The Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this section to carry out activities related to workforce development and technical assistance and training if—

(1) the activities are authorized by another provision of this title; and

(2) the activities are for entities other than employees of the Secretary, such as States, units of local government, Federal land management agencies, and Tribal governments.

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5104, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 429; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5204(a)(1), (b), (d)(1), (e), (h)(1), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1790, 1792-1794; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52004, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1109(c)(4), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1343; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, §9215(vvv), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2191; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11525(s), title III, §13007, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 608, 639.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (d)(4)(B), (C), is classified to section 7801 of Title 20, Education.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 504, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 831, related to Federal reimbursement for highway relocation assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(a)(1)(B), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).

Subsec. (e)(1)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(a)(1)(A), (C), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E) and substituted ", college, community college, or vocational school" for "or community college". Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Subsec. (e)(1)(F) to (I). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(a)(1)(A), (D), added subpar. (G) and redesignated former subpars. (E) to (G) as (F), (H), and (I), respectively.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(a)(2), substituted "paragraph (1)(I)" for "paragraph (1)(G)".

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(a)(3), inserted dash after "including" and subpar. (A) designation before "activities" and added subpars. (B) to (D).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(b)(1), substituted "and Training Development and Deployment" for "Development" in heading.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(b)(2), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall establish a program to make grants to institutions of higher education that, in partnership with industry or State departments of transportation, will develop, test, and revise new curricula and education programs to train individuals at all levels of the transportation workforce."

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(b)(3)(A), substituted "may" for "shall" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(b)(3)(B), inserted "current or future" after "specific".

Subsec. (f)(2)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(b)(3)(C), struck out "in nontraditional departments" after "curricula" and inserted "construction," after "such as" and "or emerging" after "industrial".

Subsec. (f)(3), (4). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(b)(4), (5), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §11525(s), substituted "make grants to" for "make grants or to".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–58, §13007(c), added subsec. (i).

2015—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted "104(b)(2)" for "104(b)(3)" and "surface transportation block grant program" for "surface transportation program".

Subsec. (d)(4)(B), (C). Pub. L. 114–95 substituted "section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965" for "section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)".

2012—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(1)(A), inserted "and the employees of any other applicable Federal agency" before the semicolon at end.

Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(ii)(V). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(1)(B), substituted "reducing the amount of time required for" for "expediting".

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(2), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out by the tribal technical assistance centers under paragraph (2)(D)(ii) shall be 100 percent."

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(3), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted subpar. heading, substituted ", which program" for ". The program", and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(4)(A)(i), substituted "paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 104(b)" for "sections 104(b)(1), 104(b)(2), 104(b)(3), 104(b)(4), and 144(e)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e)(1)(F), (G). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(4)(A)(ii)–(iv), added subpars. (F) and (G).

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(4)(B), inserted ", except for activities carried out under paragraph (1)(G), for which the Federal share shall be 50 percent" before the period at end.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(5), struck out "Pilot" before "Program" in heading.

Subsec. (g)(4)(F). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(6), substituted "stewardship" for "excellence".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 112–141, §52004(7), added subsec. (h).

2005—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §5204(a)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Institute may develop and administer courses in modern developments, techniques, methods, regulations, management, and procedures relating to surface transportation, environmental mitigation and compliance, acquisition of rights-of-way, relocation assistance, engineering, safety, construction, maintenance and operations, contract administration, motor carrier safety activities, inspection, and highway finance."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, §5204(b), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions relating to authority to carry out a local technical assistance program, authority to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts, and Federal share of the cost of activities carried out by tribal technical assistance centers, consisting of pars. (1) to (3), for provisions relating to authority to carry out a local technical assistance program and authority to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts, consisting of pars. (1) and (2).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §5204(d)(1), added subsec. (d).

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 109–59, §5204(e), added subsecs. (e) and (f).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–59, §5204(h)(1), added subsec. (g).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5504, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1822, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development (referred to in this section as the 'Center') to assist, through training, education, and research, in the comprehensive development of small metropolitan and rural regional transportation systems that are responsive to the needs of businesses and local communities.

"(b) Activities.—In carrying out this section, the Center shall—

"(1) provide training, information, and professional resources for small metropolitan and rural regions to pursue innovative strategies to expand the capabilities, capacity, and effectiveness of a region's transportation network, including activities related to freight projects, transit system upgrades, roadways and bridges, and intermodal transfer facilities and operations;

"(2) assist local officials, rural transportation and economic development planners, officials from State departments of transportation and economic development, business leaders, and other stakeholders in developing public-private partnerships to enhance their transportation systems; and

"(3) promote the leveraging of regional transportation planning with regional economic and business development planning to assure that appropriate transportation systems are created.

"(c) Program Administration.—To carry out this section, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall make a grant to, or enter into a cooperative agreement or contract with the National Association of Development Organizations.

"(d) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $625,000 shall be available for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to carry out this section.

"(2) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out in accordance with this subsection shall be 100 percent."

Transportation Scholarship Opportunities Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5505, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1822, provided that:

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Establishment of program.—The Secretary [of Transportation] may establish and implement a scholarship program for the purpose of attracting qualified students for transportation-related critical jobs.

"(2) Partnership.—The Secretary may establish the program in partnership with appropriate nongovernmental institutions.

"(b) Participation.—An operating administration of the Department and the Office of Inspector General may participate in the scholarship program.

"(c) Funding.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary [of Transportation] may use funds available to an operating administration or from the Office of Inspector General of the Department for the purpose of carrying out this section."

§505. State planning and research

(a) General Rule.—Two percent of the sums apportioned to a State for fiscal year 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter under paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 104(b) shall be available for expenditure by the State, in consultation with the Secretary, only for the following purposes:

(1) Engineering and economic surveys and investigations.

(2) The planning of future highway programs and local public transportation systems and the planning of the financing of such programs and systems, including metropolitan and statewide planning under sections 134 and 135.

(3) Development and implementation of management systems, plans, and processes under sections 119, 148, 149, and 167.

(4) Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of surface transportation systems and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation of such systems.

(5) Research, development, and technology transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.

(6) Study, research, and training on the engineering standards and construction materials for transportation systems described in paragraph (5), including the evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing and the regulation and taxation of their use.

(7) The conduct of activities relating to the planning of real-time monitoring elements.

(b) Minimum Expenditures on Research, Development, and Technology Transfer Activities.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), not less than 25 percent of the funds subject to subsection (a) that are apportioned to a State for a fiscal year shall be expended by the State for research, development, and technology transfer activities described in subsection (a), relating to highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.

(2) Waivers.—The Secretary may waive the application of paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year if the State certifies to the Secretary for the fiscal year that total expenditures by the State for transportation planning under sections 134 and 135 will exceed 75 percent of the funds described in paragraph (1) and the Secretary accepts such certification.

(3) Nonapplicability of assessment.—Funds expended under paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be part of the extramural budget of the agency for the purpose of section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).

(c) Implementation of Future Strategic Highway Research Program Findings and Results.—

(1) Funds.—A State shall make available to the Secretary to carry out section 503(c)(2)(C) a percentage of funds subject to subsection (a) that are apportioned to that State, that is agreed to by ¾ of States for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

(2) Treatment of funds.—Funds expended under paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be part of the extramural budget of the agency for the purpose of section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).

(d) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using funds subject to subsection (a) shall be 80 percent unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federal-aid highway program would be best served by decreasing or eliminating the non-Federal share.

(e) Administration of Sums.—Funds subject to subsection (a) shall be combined and administered by the Secretary as a single fund and shall be available for obligation for the period described in section 118(b).

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5105, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 432; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5205, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1795; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52005, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 882; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1104(e)(6), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1332.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 505, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 831, related to highway relocation assistance payments, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted "through (5)" for "through (4)" in introductory provisions.

2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(1)(A), substituted "paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 104(b)" for "section 104 (other than sections 104(f) and 104(h)) and under section 144" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(1)(B), substituted ", plans, and processes under sections 119, 148, 149, and 167" for "under section 303".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(2), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(2), (4), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e) and substituted "section 118(b)" for "section 118(b)(2)".

2005—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 109–59, §5205(1), added par. (7).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §5205(2), substituted "for the period described in section 118(b)(2)" for "for the same period as funds apportioned under section 104(b)(1)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Alaska Highway Study

Pub. L. 87–866, §13, Oct. 23, 1962, 76 Stat. 1149, as amended by Pub. L. 97–449, §2(a), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2439, provided that:

"(a) The Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with the State of Alaska, is hereby authorized to make engineering studies and estimates and planning surveys relative to a highway construction program for the State of Alaska, and, in accordance with treaties or other agreements to be negotiated with Canada by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, engineering studies, estimates, and planning surveys relative to connecting Alaskan roads with Canadian roads at the International boundary.

"(b) On or before May 15, 1964, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Congress which shall include—

"(1) an analysis of the adequacy of the Federal-aid highway program to provide for a satisfactory program in both the populated and the undeveloped areas in Alaska;

"(2) specific recommendations as to the construction of roads through undeveloped areas of Alaska and connection of such roads with Canadian roads at the International boundary; and

"(3) a feasible program for implementing such specific recommendations, including cost estimates, recommendations as to the sharing of cost responsibilities, and other pertinent matters.

"(c) From time to time, either before or after submission of the report provided for in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation may submit recommendations to the Congress with respect to the construction of particular highways to carry out the purposes of this section.

"(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating any obligation in the Congress, express or implied, to carry out the recommendations referred to in subsections (b) and (c).

"(e) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be available until expended, the sum of $800,000 for the purpose of making the studies, surveys, and report authorized by subsections (a) and (b) hereof."

[§§506, 507. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §§52006(a), 52007(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 882]

Section 506, added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5106, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 433; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5206(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1795, related to international highway transportation outreach program.

A prior section 506, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 832; amended Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §137, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1735, related to replacement housing, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Section 507, added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5107, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 434; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5207(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1797, related to surface transportation-environmental cooperative research program.

A prior section 507, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 832, related to expenses incidental to transfer of property, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

[§508. Repealed. Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(1)(A), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1581]

Section, added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5108, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 435; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5208(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1798; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52013, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 897, related to transportation research and development strategic planning.

A prior section 508, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 833, related to highway relocation services, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

[§509. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52008(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 882]

Section, added Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5209(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1800, related to national cooperative freight transportation research program.

A prior section 509, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 833, related to relocation assistance programs on Federal highway projects, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

§510. Future strategic highway research program

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary, in consultation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, shall establish and carry out, acting through the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, the future strategic highway research program.

(b) Cooperative Agreements.—The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the National Academy of Sciences to carry out such activities under this section as the Secretary determines are appropriate.

(c) Program Priorities.—

(1) Program elements.—The program established under this section shall be based on the National Research Council Special Report 260, entitled "Strategic Highway Research: Saving Lives, Reducing Congestion, Improving Quality of Life" and the results of the detailed planning work subsequently carried out in 2002 and 2003 to identify the research areas through National Cooperative Research Program Project 20–58. The research program shall include an analysis of the following:

(A) Renewal of aging highway infrastructure with minimal impact to users of the facilities.

(B) Driving behavior and likely crash causal factors to support improved countermeasures.

(C) Reducing highway congestion due to nonrecurring congestion.

(D) Planning and designing new road capacity to meet mobility, economic, environmental, and community needs.

(2) Dissemination of results.—The research results of the program, expressed in terms of technologies, methodologies, and other appropriate categorizations, shall be disseminated to practicing engineers for their use, as soon as practicable.

(d) Program Administration.—In carrying out the program under this section, the National Research Council shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that—

(1) projects and researchers are selected to conduct research for the program on the basis of merit and open solicitation of proposals and review by panels of appropriate experts;

(2) State department of transportation officials and other stakeholders, as appropriate, are involved in the governance of the program at the overall program level and technical level through the use of expert panels and committees;

(3) the Council acquires a qualified, permanent core staff with the ability and expertise to manage the program and multiyear budget; and

(4) there is no duplication of research effort between the program and any other research effort of the Department.

(e) Report on Implementation of Results.—

(1) Report.—The Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council shall complete a report on the strategies and administrative structure to be used for implementation of the results of the future strategic highway research program.

(2) Components.—The report under paragraph (1) shall include with respect to the program—

(A) an identification of the most promising results of research under the program (including the persons most likely to use the results);

(B) a discussion of potential incentives for, impediments to, and methods of, implementing those results;

(C) an estimate of costs of implementation of those results; and

(D) recommendations on methods by which implementation of those results should be conducted, coordinated, and supported in future years, including a discussion of the administrative structure and organization best suited to carry out those recommendations.

(3) Consultation.—In developing the report, the Transportation Research Board shall consult with a wide variety of stakeholders, including—

(A) the Federal Highway Administration;

(B) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and

(C) the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

(4) Submission.—Not later than February 1, 2009, the report shall be submitted to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(f) Funding.—

(1) Federal share.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out using amounts made available under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section shall be 100 percent, and such funds shall remain available until expended.

(2) Advance payments.—The Secretary may make advance payments as necessary to carry out the program under this section.

(g) Limitation of Remedies.—

(1) Same remedy as if united states.—The remedy against the United States provided by sections 1346(b) and 2672 of title 28 for injury, loss of property, personal injury, or death shall apply to any claim against the National Academy of Sciences for money damages for injury, loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by any negligent or wrongful act or omission by employees and individuals described in paragraph (3) arising from activities conducted under or in connection with this section. Any such claim shall be subject to the limitations and exceptions which would be applicable to such claim if such claim were against the United States. With respect to any such claim, the Secretary shall be treated as the head of the appropriate Federal agency for purposes of sections 2672 and 2675 of title 28.

(2) Exclusiveness of remedy.—The remedy referred to in paragraph (1) shall be exclusive of any other civil action or proceeding for the purpose of determining liability arising from any such act or omission without regard to when the act or omission occurred.

(3) Treatment.—Employees of the National Academy of Sciences and other individuals appointed by the president of the National Academy of Sciences and acting on its behalf in connection with activities carried out under this section shall be treated as if they are employees of the Federal Government under section 2671 of title 28 for purposes of a civil action or proceeding with respect to a claim described in paragraph (1). The civil action or proceeding shall proceed in the same manner as any proceeding under chapter 171 of title 28 or action against the United States filed pursuant to section 1346(b) of title 28 and shall be subject to the limitations and exceptions applicable to such a proceeding or action.

(4) Sources of payments.—Payment of any award, compromise, or settlement of a civil action or proceeding with respect to a claim described in paragraph (1) shall be paid first out of insurance maintained by the National Academy of Sciences, second from funds made available to carry out this section, and then from sums made available under section 1304 of title 31. For purposes of such section, such an award, compromise, or settlement shall be deemed to be a judgment, award, or settlement payable under section 2414 or 2672 of title 28. The Secretary may establish a reserve of funds to carry out this section for making payments under this paragraph.

(h) Implementation.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this section for implementation of research products related to the future strategic highway research program, including development, demonstration, evaluation, and technology transfer activities.

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5210(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1801; amended Pub. L. 111–322, title II, §2203(d), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3526.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 510, added Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §117(b), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1724, related to construction of replacement housing, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Another prior section 510 was renumbered section 511 of this title and subsequently repealed.

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 111–322 added subsec. (h).

§511. Multistate corridor operations and management

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall encourage multistate cooperative agreements, coalitions, or other arrangements to promote regional cooperation, planning, and shared project implementation for programs and projects to improve transportation system management and operations.

(b) Interstate Route 95 Corridor Coalition Transportation Systems Management and Operations.—The Secretary shall make grants under this subsection to States to continue intelligent transportation system management and operations in the Interstate Route 95 corridor coalition region initiated under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Public Law 102–240).

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5211(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1804.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 102–240, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1914. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1991 Amendment note set out under section 101 of Title 49, Transportation, and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 511, formerly 510, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 834; renumbered §511, Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §117(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1724, related to authority of Secretary, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Another prior section 511 was renumbered section 512 of this title and subsequently repealed.

§512. National ITS program plan

(a) In General.—

(1) Updates.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU, the Secretary, in consultation with interested stakeholders (including State transportation departments) shall develop a 5-year National Intelligent Transportation System (in this section referred to as "ITS") program plan.

(2) Scope.—The National ITS program plan shall—

(A) specify the goals, objectives, and milestones for the research and deployment of intelligent transportation systems in the contexts of—

(i) major metropolitan areas;

(ii) smaller metropolitan and rural areas; and

(iii) commercial vehicle operations;

(B) specify the manner in which specific programs and projects will achieve the goals, objectives, and milestones referred to in subparagraph (A), including consideration of a 5-year timeframe for the goals and objectives;

(C) identify activities that provide for the dynamic development, testing, and necessary revision of standards and protocols to promote and ensure interoperability in the implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies, including actions taken to establish standards; and

(D) establish a cooperative process with State and local governments for—

(i) determining desired surface transportation system performance levels; and

(ii) developing plans for accelerating the incorporation of specific intelligent transportation system capabilities into surface transportation systems.

(b) Reporting.—The National ITS program plan shall be submitted and biennially updated.

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5301(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1804; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(1)(D), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1581.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59, which was approved Aug. 10, 2005.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 512, formerly 511, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 834; renumbered §512, Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §117(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1724, related to definitions for chapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–94 struck out "as part of the transportation research and development strategic plan developed under section 508" before period at end.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Intelligent Transportation System Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §§5303–5310, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1806–1813, as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(3), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1582; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(176), (177), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4325, provided that:

"SEC. 5303. GOALS AND PURPOSES.

"(a) Goals.—The goals of the intelligent transportation system program include—

"(1) enhancement of surface transportation efficiency and facilitation of intermodalism and international trade to enable existing facilities to meet a significant portion of future transportation needs, including public access to employment, goods, and services and to reduce regulatory, financial, and other transaction costs to public agencies and system users;

"(2) achievement of national transportation safety goals, including the enhancement of safe operation of motor vehicles and nonmotorized vehicles and improved emergency response to a crash, with particular emphasis on decreasing the number and severity of collisions;

"(3) protection and enhancement of the natural environment and communities affected by surface transportation, with particular emphasis on assisting State and local governments to achieve national environmental goals;

"(4) accommodation of the needs of all users of surface transportation systems, including operators of commercial motor vehicles, passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, including individuals with disabilities; and

"(5) improvement of the Nation's ability to respond to security-related or other manmade emergencies and natural disasters and enhancement of national defense mobility.

"(b) Purposes.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall implement activities under the intelligent system transportation program to, at a minimum—

"(1) expedite, in both metropolitan and rural areas, deployment and integration of intelligent transportation systems for consumers of passenger and freight transportation;

"(2) ensure that Federal, State, and local transportation officials have adequate knowledge of intelligent transportation systems for consideration in the transportation planning process;

"(3) improve regional cooperation and operations planning for effective intelligent transportation system deployment;

"(4) promote the innovative use of private resources;

"(5) facilitate, in cooperation with the motor vehicle industry, the introduction of vehicle-based safety enhancing systems;

"(6) support the application of intelligent transportation systems that increase the safety and efficiency of commercial motor vehicle operations;

"(7) develop a workforce capable of developing, operating, and maintaining intelligent transportation systems; and

"(8) provide continuing support for operations and maintenance of intelligent transportation systems.

"SEC. 5304. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.

"Funds made available to carry out this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title] for operational tests—

"(1) shall be used primarily for the development of intelligent transportation system infrastructure; and

"(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall not be used for the construction of physical highway and public transportation infrastructure unless the construction is incidental and critically necessary to the implementation of an intelligent transportation system project.

"SEC. 5305. GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.

"(a) Scope.—Subject to the provisions of this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall conduct an ongoing intelligent transportation system program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and to provide technical assistance in the nationwide application of those systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

"(b) Policy.—Intelligent transportation system research projects and operational tests funded pursuant to this subtitle shall encourage and not displace public-private partnerships or private sector investment in such tests and projects.

"(c) Cooperation With Governmental, Private, and Educational Entities.—The Secretary shall carry out the intelligent transportation system program in cooperation with State and local governments and other public entities, the private sector firms of the United States, the Federal laboratories, and colleges and universities, including historically Black colleges and universities and other minority institutions of higher education.

"(d) Consultation With Federal Officials.—In carrying out the intelligent transportation system program, the Secretary shall consult with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate.

"(e) Technical Assistance, Training, and Information.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain, or evaluate intelligent transportation system technologies and services.

"(f) Transportation Planning.—The Secretary may provide funding to support adequate consideration of transportation systems management and operations, including intelligent transportation systems, within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes.

"(g) Information Clearinghouse.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall—

"(A) maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects carried out under this subtitle (including the amendments made by this subtitle); and

"(B) make, on request, that information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.

"(2) Agreement.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a third party for the maintenance of the repository for technical and safety data under paragraph (1)(A).

"(B) Federal financial assistance.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement with an entity for the maintenance of the repository, the entity shall be eligible for Federal financial assistance under this section.

"(3) Availability of information.—Information in the repository shall not be subject to sections 552 and 555 of title 5, United States Code.

"(h) Advisory Committee.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on carrying out this subtitle.

"(2) Membership.—The Advisory Committee shall have no more than 20 members, be balanced between metropolitan and rural interests, and include, at a minimum—

"(A) a representative from a State highway department;

"(B) a representative from a local highway department who is not from a metropolitan planning organization;

"(C) a representative from a State, local, or regional transit agency;

"(D) a representative from a metropolitan planning organization;

"(E) a private sector user of intelligent transportation system technologies;

"(F) an academic researcher with expertise in computer science or another information science field related to intelligent transportation systems, and who is not an expert on transportation issues;

"(G) an academic researcher who is a civil engineer;

"(H) an academic researcher who is a social scientist with expertise in transportation issues;

"(I) a representative from a nonprofit group representing the intelligent transportation system industry;

"(J) a representative from a public interest group concerned with safety;

"(K) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the transportation system on land use and residential patterns; and

"(L) members with expertise in planning, safety, and operations.

"(3) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum, perform the following duties:

"(A) Provide input into the development of the Intelligent Transportation System aspects of the 5-year strategic plan under [section] 6503 of title 49, United States Code.

"(B) Review, at least annually, areas of intelligent transportation systems research being considered for funding by the Department, to determine—

"(i) whether these activities are likely to advance either the state-of-the-practice or state-of-the-art in intelligent transportation systems;

"(ii) whether the intelligent transportation system technologies are likely to be deployed by users, and if not, to determine the barriers to deployment; and

"(iii) the appropriate roles for government and the private sector in investing in the research and technologies being considered.

"(4) Report.—Not later than February 1 of each year after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report including—

"(A) all recommendations made by the Advisory Committee during the preceding calendar year;

"(B) an explanation of how the Secretary has implemented those recommendations; and

"(C) for recommendations not implemented, the reasons for rejecting the recommendations.

"(5) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—The Advisory Committee shall be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

"(i) Reporting.—

"(1) Guidelines and requirements.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall issue guidelines and requirements for the reporting and evaluation of operational tests and deployment projects carried out under this subtitle.

"(B) Objectivity and independence.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity and independence of the reporting entity so as to avoid any real or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such test or deployment project or by any other formal evaluation carried out under this subtitle.

"(C) Funding.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish reporting funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or project that ensure adequate reporting of the results of the test or project.

"(2) Special rule.—Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the reporting of any test, deployment project, or program assessment activity under this subtitle shall not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code.

"SEC. 5306. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out a comprehensive program of intelligent transportation system research, development, and operational tests of intelligent vehicles and intelligent infrastructure systems and other similar activities that are necessary to carry out this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title].

"(b) Priority Areas.—Under the program, the Secretary shall give higher priority to funding projects that—

"(1) enhance mobility and productivity through improved traffic management, incident management, transit management, freight management, road weather management, toll collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems and remote sensing products;

"(2) utilize interdisciplinary approaches to develop traffic management strategies and tools to address multiple impacts of congestion concurrently;

"(3) address traffic management, incident management, transit management, toll collection traveler information, or highway operations systems with goals of—

"(A) reducing metropolitan congestion by not less than 5 percent by 2010;

"(B) ensuring that a national, interoperable 5–1–1 system, along with a national traffic information system that includes a user-friendly, comprehensive website, is fully implemented for use by travelers throughout the United States by September 30, 2010; and

"(C)(i) improving incident management response, particularly in rural areas, so that rural emergency response times are reduced by an average of 10 minutes; and

"(ii) improving communication between emergency care providers and trauma centers;

"(4) incorporate research on the impact of environmental, weather, and natural conditions on intelligent transportation systems, including the effects of cold climates;

"(5) enhance intermodal use of intelligent transportation systems for diverse groups, including for emergency and health-related services;

"(6) enhance safety through improved crash avoidance and protection, crash and other notification, commercial motor vehicle operations, and infrastructure-based or cooperative safety systems; and

"(7) facilitate the integration of intelligent infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies.

"(c) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of operational tests and demonstrations under subsection (a) shall not exceed 80 [sic].

"SEC. 5307. NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS.

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Development, implementation, and maintenance.—Consistent with section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104–113] (15 U.S.C. 272 note; 110 Stat. 783), the Secretary [of Transportation] shall develop, implement, and maintain a national architecture and supporting standards and protocols to promote the widespread use and evaluation of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

"(2) Interoperability and efficiency.—To the maximum extent practicable, the national architecture shall promote interoperability among, and efficiency of, intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the United States.

"(3) Use of standards development organizations.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the services of such standards development organizations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(4) Use of expert panel.—

"(A) Designation.—The Secretary shall designate a panel of experts to recommend ways to expedite and streamline the process for developing the standards and protocols to be developed pursuant to paragraph (1).

"(B) Nonapplicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—The expert panel shall not be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

"(C) Deadline for recommendation.—Not later than September 30, 2007, the expert panel shall provide the Secretary with a recommendation relating to such standards development.

"(b) Provisional Standards.—

"(1) In general.—If the Secretary finds that the development or balloting of an intelligent transportation system standard jeopardizes the timely achievement of the objectives identified in subsection (a), the Secretary may establish a provisional standard, after consultation with affected parties, using, to the extent practicable, the work product of appropriate standards development organizations.

"(2) Period of effectiveness.—A provisional standard established under paragraph (1) shall be published in the Federal Register and remain in effect until the appropriate standards development organization adopts and publishes a standard.

"(c) Conformity With National Architecture.—

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall ensure that intelligent transportation system projects carried out using funds made available from the Highway Trust Fund, including funds made available under this subtitle to deploy intelligent transportation system technologies, conform to the national architecture, applicable standards or provisional standards, and protocols developed under subsection (a).

"(2) Secretary's discretion.—The Secretary may authorize exceptions to paragraph (1) for—

"(A) projects designed to achieve specific research objectives outlined in the national intelligent transportation system program plan or the surface transportation research and development strategic plan developed under section 508 of title 23, United States Code; or

"(B) the upgrade or expansion of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005] if the Secretary determines that the upgrade or expansion—

"(i) would not adversely affect the goals or purposes of this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title];

"(ii) is carried out before the end of the useful life of such system; and

"(iii) is cost-effective as compared to alternatives that would meet the conformity requirement of paragraph (1).

"(3) Exceptions.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds used for operation or maintenance of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.

"SEC. 5308. ROAD WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a road weather research and development program to—

"(1) maximize use of available road weather information and technologies;

"(2) expand road weather research and development efforts to enhance roadway safety, capacity, and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts; and

"(3) promote technology transfer of effective road weather scientific and technological advances.

"(b) Stakeholder Input.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

"(c) Contents.—The program established under this section shall solely carry out research and development called for in the National Research Council's report entitled 'A Research Agenda for Improving Road Weather Services'. Such research and development includes—

"(1) integrating existing observational networks and data management systems for road weather applications;

"(2) improving weather modeling capabilities and forecast tools, such as the road surface and atmospheric interface;

"(3) enhancing mechanisms for communicating road weather information to users, such as transportation officials and the public; and

"(4) integrating road weather technologies into an information infrastructure.

"(d) Activities.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—

"(1) enable efficient technology transfer;

"(2) improve education and training of road weather information users, such as State and local transportation officials and private sector transportation contractors; and

"(3) coordinate with transportation weather research programs in other modes, such as aviation.

"(e) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—In awarding funds under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to applications with significant matching funds from non-Federal sources.

"(2) Funds for road weather research and development.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(5) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.

"SEC. 5309. CENTERS FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXCELLENCE.

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish 4 centers for surface transportation excellence.

"(b) Goals.—The goals of the centers for surface transportation excellence are to promote and support strategic national surface transportation programs and activities relating to the work of State departments of transportation in the areas of environment, surface transportation safety, rural safety, and project finance.

"(c) Role of Centers.—To achieve the goals set forth in subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish the 4 centers as follows:

"(1) Environmental excellence.—To provide technical assistance, information sharing of best practices, and training in the use of tools and decision-making processes that can assist States in planning and delivering environmentally sound surface transportation projects.

"(2) Surface transportation safety.—To develop and disseminate advanced transportation safety techniques and innovations in both rural areas and urban communities. The center will use a controlled access highway with state-of-the-art features, to test safety devices and techniques that enhance driver performance, examine advanced pavement and lighting systems, and develop techniques to address older driver and fatigue driver issues.

"(3) Rural safety.—To provide research, training, and outreach on innovative uses of technology to enhance rural safety and economic development, assess local community needs to improve access to mobile emergency treatment, and develop online and seminar training needs of rural transportation practitioners and policy-makers.

"(4) Project finance.—To provide support to State transportation departments in the development of finance plans and project oversight tools and to develop and offer training in state-of-the-art financing methods to advance projects and leverage funds.

"(d) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $3,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.

"(2) Allocation of funds.—Of the funds made available under paragraph (1) the Secretary shall use such amounts as follows:

"(A) $1,250,000 to establish the Center for Environmental Excellence.

"(B) $750,000 to establish the Center for Excellence in Surface Transportation Safety at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

"(C) $875,000 to establish the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute, Minnesota.

"(D) $875,000 to establish the Center for Excellence in Project Finance.

"(3) Applicability of title 23.—Funds authorized by this section shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share shall be 100 percent.

"(e) Program Administration.—

"(1) Competition.—A party entering into a contract, cooperative agreement, or other transaction with the Secretary, or receiving a grant to perform research or provide technical assistance under subsections (d)(2)(A) and (d)(2)(D) shall be selected on a competitive basis, to the maximum extent practicable.

"(2) Strategic plan.—The Secretary shall require each center to develop a multiyear strategic plan that describes—

"(A) the activities to be undertaken; and

"(B) how the work of the center is coordinated with the activities of the Federal Highway Administration and the various other research, development, and technology transfer activities authorized by this title [see Tables for classification]. Such plans shall be submitted to the Secretary by January 1, 2006, and each year thereafter.

"SEC. 5310. DEFINITIONS.

"In this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title], the following definitions apply:

"(1) Incident.—The term 'incident' means a crash, a natural disaster, workzone activity, special event, or other emergency road user occurrence that adversely affects or impedes the normal flow of traffic.

"(2) Intelligent transportation infrastructure.—The term 'intelligent transportation infrastructure' means fully integrated public sector intelligent transportation system components, as defined by the Secretary [of Transportation].

"(3) Intelligent transportation system.—The term 'intelligent transportation system' means electronics, photonics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system.

"(4) National architecture.—The term 'national architecture' means the common framework for interoperability that defines—

"(A) the functions associated with intelligent transportation system user services;

"(B) the physical entities or subsystems within which the functions reside;

"(C) the data interfaces and information flows between physical subsystems; and

"(D) the communications requirements associated with the information flows.

"(5) Project.—The term 'project' means an undertaking to research, develop, or operationally test intelligent transportation systems or any other undertaking eligible for assistance under this subtitle.

"(6) Standard.—The term 'standard' means a document that—

"(A) contains technical specifications or other precise criteria for intelligent transportation systems that are to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics so as to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for their purposes; and

"(B) may support the national architecture and promote—

"(i) the widespread use and adoption of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States; and

"(ii) interoperability among intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the States.

"(7) State.—The term 'State' has the meaning given the term under section 101 of title 23, United States Code.

"(8) Transportation systems management and operations.—The term 'transportation systems management and operations' has the meaning given the term under section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code [section 101(a) of this title does not define the term]."

Environmental Review of Activities That Support Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems

Pub. L. 109–59, title VI, §6010, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1877, provided that:

"(a) Categorical Exclusions.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking process to establish, to the extent appropriate, categorical exclusions for activities that support the deployment of intelligent transportation infrastructure and systems from the requirement that an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement be prepared under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332) in compliance with the standards for categorical exclusions established by that Act [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.].

"(b) Nationwide Programmatic Agreement.—

"(1) Development.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall develop a nationwide programmatic agreement governing the review of activities that support the deployment of intelligent transportation infrastructure and systems in accordance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act ([former] 16 U.S.C. 470f) [see 54 U.S.C. 306108] and the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

"(2) Consultation.—The Secretary shall develop the agreement under paragraph (1) in consultation with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation established under title II of the National Historic Preservation Act (26 [sic] U.S.C. 470i et seq. [former 16 U.S.C. 470i et seq., see 54 U.S.C. 304101 et seq.]) and after soliciting the views of other interested parties.

"(c) Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure and Systems Defined.—In this section, the term 'intelligent transportation infrastructure and systems' means intelligent transportation infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems, as such terms are defined in subtitle C of title V of this Act [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title and provisions set out as a note above]."

§513. Use of funds for ITS activities

(a) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Eligible entity.—The term "eligible entity" means a State or local government, tribal government, transit agency, public toll authority, metropolitan planning organization, other political subdivision of a State or local government, or a multistate or multijurisdictional group applying through a single lead applicant.

(2) Multijurisdictional group.—The term "multijurisdictional group" means a combination of State governments, local governments, metropolitan planning agencies, transit agencies, or other political subdivisions of a State that—

(A) have signed a written agreement to implement an activity that meets the grant criteria under this section; and

(B) is comprised of at least 2 members, each of whom is an eligible entity.

(b) Purpose.—The purpose of this section is to develop, administer, communicate, and promote the use of products of research, technology, and technology transfer programs.

(c) ITS Adoption.—

(1) Innovative technologies and strategies.—The Secretary shall encourage the deployment of ITS technologies that will improve the performance of the National Highway System in such areas as traffic operations, emergency response, incident management, surface transportation network management, freight management, traffic flow information, and congestion management by accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies through the use of—

(A) demonstration programs;

(B) grant funding;

(C) incentives to eligible entities; and

(D) other tools, strategies, or methods that will result in the deployment of innovative ITS technologies.

(2) Comprehensive plan.—To carry out this section, the Secretary shall develop a detailed and comprehensive plan that addresses the manner in which incentives may be adopted, as appropriate, through the existing deployment activities carried out by surface transportation modal administrations.

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5302(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1805; amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, §53001, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 897.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows:

"(a) In General.—For each fiscal year, not more than $250,000 of the funds made available to carry out this subtitle C of title V of the SAFETEA–LU shall be used for intelligent transportation system outreach, public relations, displays, tours, and brochures.

"(b) Applicability.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to intelligent transportation system training, scholarships, or the publication or distribution of research findings, technical guidance, or similar documents."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

§514. Goals and purposes

(a) Goals.—The goals of the intelligent transportation system program include—

(1) enhancement of surface transportation efficiency and facilitation of intermodalism and international trade to enable existing facilities to meet a significant portion of future transportation needs, including public access to employment, goods, and services and to reduce regulatory, financial, and other transaction costs to public agencies and system users;

(2) achievement of national transportation safety goals, including enhancement of safe operation of motor vehicles and nonmotorized vehicles and improved emergency response to collisions, with particular emphasis on decreasing the number and severity of collisions;

(3) protection and enhancement of the natural environment and communities affected by surface transportation, with particular emphasis on assisting State and local governments to achieve national environmental goals;

(4) accommodation of the needs of all users of surface transportation systems, including operators of commercial motor vehicles, passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians (including individuals with disabilities);

(5) enhancement of national defense mobility and improvement of the ability of the United States to respond to security-related or other manmade emergencies and natural disasters; and

(6) enhancement of the national freight system and support to national freight policy goals.

(b) Purposes.—The Secretary shall implement activities under the intelligent transportation system program, at a minimum—

(1) to expedite, in both metropolitan and rural areas, deployment and integration of intelligent transportation systems for consumers of passenger and freight transportation;

(2) to ensure that Federal, State, and local transportation officials have adequate knowledge of intelligent transportation systems for consideration in the transportation planning process;

(3) to improve regional cooperation and operations planning for effective intelligent transportation system deployment;

(4) to promote the innovative use of private resources in support of intelligent transportation system development;

(5) to facilitate, in cooperation with the motor vehicle industry, the introduction of vehicle-based safety enhancing systems;

(6) to support the application of intelligent transportation systems that increase the safety and efficiency of commercial motor vehicle operations;

(7) to develop a workforce capable of developing, operating, and maintaining intelligent transportation systems;

(8) to provide continuing support for operations and maintenance of intelligent transportation systems;

(9) to ensure a systems approach that includes cooperation among vehicles, infrastructure, and users; and

(10) to assist in the development of cybersecurity research in cooperation with relevant modal administrations of the Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies to help prevent hacking, spoofing, and disruption of connected and automated transportation vehicles.

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, §53002(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 898; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §§6005, 6006, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1567.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 114–94, §6005, added par. (6).

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 114–94, §6006, added par. (10).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

§515. General authorities and requirements

(a) Scope.—Subject to the provisions of sections 512 through 518, the Secretary shall conduct an ongoing intelligent transportation system program—

(1) to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems; and

(2) to provide technical assistance in the nationwide application of those systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

(b) Policy.—Intelligent transportation system research projects and operational tests funded pursuant to sections 512 through 518 shall encourage and not displace public-private partnerships or private sector investment in those tests and projects.

(c) Cooperation With Governmental, Private, and Educational Entities.—The Secretary shall carry out the intelligent transportation system program in cooperation with State and local governments and other public entities, the private sector firms of the United States, the Federal laboratories, and institutions of higher education, including historically Black colleges and universities and other minority institutions of higher education.

(d) Consultation With Federal Officials.—In carrying out the intelligent transportation system program, the Secretary shall consult with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate.

(e) Technical Assistance, Training, and Information.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain, or evaluate intelligent transportation system technologies and services.

(f) Transportation Planning.—The Secretary may provide funding to support adequate consideration of transportation systems management and operations, including intelligent transportation systems, within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes.

(g) Information Clearinghouse.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall—

(A) maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects carried out under sections 512 through 518; and

(B) make, on request, that information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.

(2) Agreement.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a third party for the maintenance of the repository for technical and safety data under paragraph (1)(A).

(B) Federal financial assistance.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement with an entity for the maintenance of the repository, the entity shall be eligible for Federal financial assistance under this section.

(3) Availability of information.—Information in the repository shall not be subject to sections 552 and 555 of title 5, United States Code.

(h) Advisory Committee.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the "Advisory Committee") to advise the Secretary on carrying out sections 512 through 518.

(2) Membership.—The Advisory Committee shall have no more than 25 members, be balanced between metropolitan and rural interests, and include, at a minimum—

(A) a representative from a State highway department;

(B) a representative from a local highway department who is not from a metropolitan planning organization;

(C) a representative from a State, local, or regional transit agency;

(D) a representative from a State, local, or regional wildlife, land use, or resource management agency;

(E) a representative from a metropolitan planning organization;

(F) a representative of a national transit association;

(G) a representative of a national, State, or local transportation agency or association;

(H) a private sector user of intelligent transportation system technologies;

(I) a private sector developer of intelligent transportation system technologies, which may include emerging vehicle technologies;

(J) an academic researcher with expertise in computer science or another information science field related to intelligent transportation systems, and who is not an expert on transportation issues;

(K) an academic researcher who is a civil engineer;

(L) an academic researcher who is a social scientist with expertise in transportation issues;

(M) an academic researcher who is a biological or ecological scientist with expertise in transportation issues;

(N) a representative from a nonprofit group representing the intelligent transportation system industry;

(O) a representative from a public interest group concerned with safety;

(P) a representative of a labor organization;

(Q) a representative of a mobility-providing entity;

(R) an expert in traffic management;

(S) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the transportation system on land use and residential patterns;

(T) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the transportation system on terrestrial and aquatic species and the habitat of those species; and

(U) members with expertise in planning, safety, telecommunications, and operations;

(V) an expert in cybersecurity; and

(W) an automobile manufacturer.

(3) Term.—

(A) In general.—The term of a member of the Advisory Committee shall be 3 years.

(B) Renewal.—On expiration of the term of a member of the Advisory Committee, the member—

(i) may be reappointed; or

(ii) if the member is not reappointed under clause (i), may serve until a new member is appointed.

(4) Meetings.—The Advisory Committee—

(A) shall convene not less frequently than twice each year; and

(B) may convene with the use of remote video conference technology.

(5) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum, perform the following duties:

(A) Provide input into the development of the intelligent transportation system aspects of the strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49.

(B) Review, at least annually, areas of intelligent transportation systems programs and research being considered for funding by the Department, to determine—

(i) whether these activities are likely to advance either the state-of-the-practice or state-of-the-art in intelligent transportation systems;

(ii) whether the intelligent transportation system technologies are likely to be deployed by users, and if not, to determine the barriers to deployment; and

(iii) the appropriate roles for government and the private sector in investing in the programs, research, and technologies being considered.

(6) Report.—Not later than May 1 of each year, the Secretary shall make available to the public on a Department of Transportation website a report that includes—

(A) all recommendations made by the Advisory Committee during the preceding calendar year;

(B) an explanation of the manner in which the Secretary has implemented those recommendations; and

(C) for recommendations not implemented, the reasons for rejecting the recommendations.

(7) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—The Advisory Committee shall be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

(i) Reporting.—

(1) Guidelines and requirements.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall issue guidelines and requirements for the reporting and evaluation of operational tests and deployment projects carried out under sections 512 through 518.

(B) Objectivity and independence.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity and independence of the reporting entity so as to avoid any real or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such test or deployment project or by any other formal evaluation carried out under sections 512 through 518.

(C) Funding.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish reporting funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or project that ensure adequate reporting of the results of the test or project.

(2) Special rule.—Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the reporting of any test, deployment project, or program assessment activity under sections 512 through 518 shall not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code.

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, §53003(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 899; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1446(a)(14), title VI, §6007, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1438, 1567; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13008(a), div. B, title V, §25001, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 641, 836; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(178), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4325.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (h)(7). Pub. L. 117–286, which directed amendment of subsec. (h)(5) by substituting "chapter 10 of title 5, united states code" for "federal advisory committee act" in heading and "chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code." for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)." in text, was executed by making the substitutions in subsec. (h)(7) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the prior amendment by Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(4). See 2021 Amendment note, below.

2021—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(1), inserted "(referred to in this subsection as the 'Advisory Committee')" after "an Advisory Committee".

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(A), substituted "25 members" for "20 members" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h)(2)(D) to (W). Pub. L. 117–58, §13008(a) and §25001(2)(D)–(G), added various subpars. and successively redesignated existing subpars., resulting in ultimate redesignations of original subpars. as follows: (D) as (E), (E) as (H), (F) as (J), (G) as (K), (H) as (L), (I) as (N), (J) as (O), (K) as (S), and (L) as (U). For newly added subpars., see notes below.

Subsec. (h)(2)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, §13008(a)(3), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (h)(2)(F), (G). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(D), added subpars. (F) and (G).

Subsec. (h)(2)(I). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(E), added subpar. (I).

Subsec. (h)(2)(J). Pub. L. 117–58, §13008(a)(4), added subpar. (J), which was subsequently redesignated (M) by Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(C).

Subsec. (h)(2)(N). Pub. L. 117–58, §13008(a)(5), added subpar. (N), which was subsequently redesignated (T) by Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(C).

Subsec. (h)(2)(O). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(B), prior to redesignation of subpar. (O) as (U), struck out "utilities," after "telecommunications," and substituted semicolon for period at end.

Subsec. (h)(2)(P) to (R). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(F), added subpars. (P) to (R).

Subsec. (h)(2)(V), (W). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(2)(G), added subpars. (V) and (W).

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(5), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (h)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(3)(A), substituted "section 6503 of title 49" for "section 508".

Subsec. (h)(3)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(3)(B)(i), inserted "programs and" before "research" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(3)(B)(ii), substituted "programs, research, and" for "research and".

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(5), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (h)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 117–58, §25001(4), redesignated pars. (3) to (5) as (5) to (7), respectively.

2015—Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(a)(14), substituted "sections 512 through 518" for "this chapter" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, §6007, in introductory provisions, substituted "May 1 of each year" for "February 1 of each year after the date of enactment of the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012" and "make available to the public on a Department of Transportation website" for "submit to Congress".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by section 13008(a) of Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

§516. Research and development

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall carry out a comprehensive program of intelligent transportation system research and development, and operational tests of intelligent vehicles, intelligent infrastructure systems, and other similar activities that are necessary to carry out this chapter.

(b) Priority Areas.—Under the program, the Secretary shall give higher priority to funding projects that—

(1) enhance mobility and productivity through improved traffic management, incident management, transit management, freight management, road weather management, toll collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems and remote sensing products;

(2) use interdisciplinary approaches to develop traffic management strategies and tools to address multiple impacts of congestion concurrently;

(3) address traffic management, incident management, transit management, toll collection traveler information, or highway operations systems;

(4) incorporate research on the potential impact of environmental, weather, and natural conditions on intelligent transportation systems, including the effects of cold climates;

(5) enhance intermodal use of intelligent transportation systems for diverse groups, including for emergency and health-related services;

(6) enhance safety through improved crash avoidance and protection, crash and other notification, commercial motor vehicle operations, and infrastructure-based or cooperative safety systems, including animal detection systems to reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions; or

(7) facilitate the integration of intelligent infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies.

(c) Federal Share.—The Federal share payable on account of any project or activity carried out under subsection (a) shall not exceed 80 percent.

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, §53004(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 902; amended Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13008(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 641.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 117–58 inserted ", including animal detection systems to reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions" after "systems".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

§517. National architecture and standards

(a) In General.—

(1) Development, implementation, and maintenance.—In accordance with section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note; 110 Stat. 783; 115 Stat. 1241), the Secretary shall develop and maintain a national ITS architecture and supporting ITS standards and protocols to promote the use of systems engineering methods in the widespread deployment and evaluation of intelligent transportation systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

(2) Interoperability and efficiency.—To the maximum extent practicable, the national ITS architecture and supporting ITS standards and protocols shall promote interoperability among, and efficiency of, intelligent transportation systems and technologies implemented throughout the United States.

(3) Use of standards development organizations.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall support the development and maintenance of standards and protocols using the services of such standards development organizations as the Secretary determines to be necessary and whose memberships include representatives of the surface transportation and intelligent transportation systems industries.

(b) Standards for National Policy Implementation.—If the Secretary finds that a standard is necessary for implementation of a nationwide policy relating to user fee collection or other capability requiring nationwide uniformity, the Secretary, after consultation with stakeholders, may establish and require the use of that standard.

(c) Provisional Standards.—

(1) In general.—If the Secretary finds that the development or balloting of an intelligent transportation system standard jeopardizes the timely achievement of the objectives described in subsection (a), the Secretary may establish a provisional standard, after consultation with affected parties, using, to the maximum extent practicable, the work product of appropriate standards development organizations.

(2) Period of effectiveness.—A provisional standard established under paragraph (1) shall be published in the Federal Register and remain in effect until the appropriate standards development organization adopts and publishes a standard.

(d) Conformity With National Architecture.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall ensure that intelligent transportation system projects carried out using amounts made available from the Highway Trust Fund, including amounts made available to deploy intelligent transportation systems, conform to the appropriate regional ITS architecture, applicable standards, and protocols developed under subsection (a) or (c).

(2) Discretion of the secretary.—The Secretary, at the discretion of the Secretary, may offer an exemption from paragraph (1) for projects designed to achieve specific research objectives outlined in the national intelligent transportation system program plan or the surface transportation research and development strategic plan developed under section 508.¹

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, §53005(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 902; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6008, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1567.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is section 12(d) of Pub. L. 104–113, Mar. 7, 1996, 110 Stat. 783, which is set out as a note under section 272 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Section 508, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), was repealed by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(1)(A), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1581, effective Oct. 1, 2015.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted "memberships include representatives of" for "memberships are comprised of, and represent,".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§518. Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications systems deployment

(a) In General.—Not later than July 6, 2016, the Secretary shall make available to the public on a Department of Transportation website a report that—

(1) assesses the status of dedicated short-range communications technology and applications developed through research and development;

(2) analyzes the known and potential gaps in short-range communications technology and applications;

(3) defines a recommended implementation path for dedicated short-range communications technology and applications that—

(A) is based on the assessment described in paragraph (1); and

(B) takes into account the analysis described in paragraph (2);

(4) includes guidance on the relationship of the proposed deployment of dedicated short-range communications to the National ITS Architecture and ITS Standards; and

(5) ensures competition by not preferencing the use of any particular frequency for vehicle to infrastructure operations.

(b) Report Review.—The Secretary shall enter into agreements with the National Research Council and an independent third party with subject matter expertise for the review of the report described in subsection (a).

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, §53006(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 904; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6009, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1567.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–94, in introductory provisions, substituted "Not later than July 6, 2016, the Secretary shall make available to the public on a Department of Transportation website a report" for "Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

§519. Infrastructure development

Funds made available to carry out this chapter for operational tests of intelligent transportation systems—

(1) shall be used primarily for the development of intelligent transportation system infrastructure, equipment, and systems; and

(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall not be used for the construction of physical surface transportation infrastructure unless the construction is incidental and critically necessary to the implementation of an intelligent transportation system project.

(Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6010(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1567.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§520. Transportation Resilience and Adaptation Centers of Excellence

(a) Definition of Center of Excellence.—In this section, the term "Center of Excellence" means a Center of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation designated under subsection (b).

(b) Designation.—The Secretary shall designate 10 regional Centers of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation and 1 national Center of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation, which shall serve as a coordinator for the regional Centers, to receive grants to advance research and development that improves the resilience of regions of the United States to natural disasters and extreme weather by promoting the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure and infrastructure dependent on surface transportation.

(c) Eligibility.—An entity eligible to be designated as a Center of Excellence is—

(1) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)); or

(2) a consortium of nonprofit organizations led by an institution of higher education.

(d) Application.—To be eligible to be designated as a Center of Excellence, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a proposal that includes a description of the activities to be carried out with a grant under this section.

(e) Selection.—

(1) Regional centers of excellence.—The Secretary shall designate 1 regional Center of Excellence in each of the 10 Federal regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regions established by the Office of Management and Budget in the document entitled "Standard Federal Regions" and dated April 1974 (circular A–105).

(2) National center of excellence.—The Secretary shall designate 1 national Center of Excellence to coordinate the activities of all 10 regional Centers of Excellence to minimize duplication and promote coordination and dissemination of research among the Centers.

(3) Criteria.—In selecting eligible entities to designate as a Center of Excellence, the Secretary shall consider—

(A) the past experience and performance of the eligible entity in carrying out activities described in subsection (g);

(B) the merits of the proposal of an eligible entity and the extent to which the proposal would—

(i) advance the state of practice in resilience planning and identify innovative resilience solutions for transportation assets and systems;

(ii) support activities carried out under the PROTECT program under section 176;

(iii) support and build on work being carried out by another Federal agency relating to resilience;

(iv) inform transportation decisionmaking at all levels of government;

(v) engage local, regional, Tribal, State, and national stakeholders, including, if applicable, stakeholders representing transportation, transit, urban, and land use planning, natural resources, environmental protection, hazard mitigation, and emergency management; and

(vi) engage community groups and other stakeholders that will be affected by transportation decisions, including underserved, economically disadvantaged, rural, and predominantly minority communities; and

(C) the local, regional, Tribal, State, and national impacts of the proposal of the eligible entity.

(f) Grants.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall provide to each Center of Excellence a grant of not less than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031 to carry out the activities described in subsection (g).

(g) Activities.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that a Center of Excellence uses the funds from a grant under subsection (f) to promote resilient transportation infrastructure, including through—

(1) supporting climate vulnerability assessments informed by climate change science, including national climate assessments produced by the United States Global Change Research Program under section 106 of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2936), relevant feasibility analyses of resilient transportation improvements, and transportation resilience planning;

(2) development of new design, operations, and maintenance standards for transportation infrastructure that can inform Federal and State decisionmaking;

(3) research and development of new materials and technologies that could be integrated into existing and new transportation infrastructure;

(4) development, refinement, and piloting of new and emerging resilience improvements and strategies, including natural infrastructure approaches and relocation;

(5) development of and investment in new approaches for facilitating meaningful engagement in transportation decisionmaking by local, Tribal, regional, or national stakeholders and communities;

(6) technical capacity building to facilitate the ability of local, regional, Tribal, State, and national stakeholders—

(A) to assess the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure assets and systems;

(B) to develop community response strategies;

(C) to meaningfully engage with community stakeholders; and

(D) to develop strategies and improvements for enhancing transportation infrastructure resilience under current conditions and a range of potential future conditions;

(7) workforce development and training;

(8) development and dissemination of data, tools, techniques, assessments, and information that informs Federal, State, Tribal, and local government decisionmaking, policies, planning, and investments;

(9) education and outreach regarding transportation infrastructure resilience; and

(10) technology transfer and commercialization.

(h) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity under this section, including the costs of establishing and operating a Center of Excellence, shall be 50 percent.

(Added Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13009(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 642.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.