49 CFR §1.98

1. (a)Coordinating, facilitating, and reviewing the Department's research and development programs and activities, except as related to NHTSA;
2. (b)After consultation with Operating Administration and OST offices, making recommendations to the Secretary on all Operating Administration and OST research budgets;
3. (c)Providing leadership on technical, navigation, communication, and systems engineering activities, and spectrum management on behalf of the civil and civilian PNT communities;
4. (d)Directing and administering university transportation research grants;
5. (e)In coordination with FHWA, NHTSA, and FMCSA, conducting vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure research;
6. (f)Advancing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) research and deployment of real-time multi-modal travel information for travelers, carriers, and public agencies;
7. (g)Providing oversight of the activities of the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, the ITS Joint Program Office, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and the Transportation Safety Institute; and
8. (h)Providing technical support to advance the mission of the Secretary's Safety Council.