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
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—
“(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—
“(B)
other Federal agencies; and
“(C)
non-Federal sources;
“(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—
“(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—
“(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:
“(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.—
“(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.
“(vi) State transportation department.—The term ‘State transportation department’ means—
“(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;
“(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)—
“(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.—
“(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
“(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.—
“(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)—
“(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. 5202. FINDINGS.“Congress finds that—
“(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;
“(4)
promote the innovative use of private resources;
“(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.—
“(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).
“(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.—
“(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
“(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—
“(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.
“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.
“(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—
“(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
“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.
[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.”
