(a)
(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 508.1
(b)
(1)
(A) identify research topics;
(B) coordinate research and development activities;
(C) carry out research, testing, and evaluation activities; and
(D) provide technology transfer and technical assistance.
(2)
(A)
(B)
(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)
(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 policy studies;
(xi) human factors studies and measures;
(xii) safety technology deployment;
(xiii) safety workforce professional capacity building initiatives;
(xiv) safety program and process improvements; and
(xv) tools and methods to enhance safety performance, including achievement of statewide safety performance targets.
(3)
(A)
(i) to maintain infrastructure integrity;
(ii) to meet user needs; and
(iii) to link Federal transportation investments to improvements in system performance.
(B)
(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 and methods to reduce those vulnerabilities.
(C)
(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 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; and
(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.
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(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)
(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)
(A)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(A)
(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)
(i) to reduce traffic congestion;
(ii) to improve freight movement; and
(iii) to reduce freight-related congestion throughout the transportation network.
(C)
(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)
(A) to leverage the targeted capabilities of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center to develop technologies and innovations of national importance; and
(B) to develop potentially transformational solutions to improve the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems.
(7)
(A)
(B)
(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; and
(iv) the conduct of long-term, high-risk research to improve the materials used in highway infrastructure.
(8)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(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.
(c)
(1)
(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; and
(E) developing and deploying new tools, techniques, and practices to accelerate the adoption of innovation in all aspects of highway transportation.
(2)
(A)
(B)
(i) establish and carry out demonstration programs;
(ii) provide technical assistance, and training to researchers and developers; and
(iii) develop improved tools and methods to accelerate the adoption of proven innovative practices and technologies as standard practices.
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(3)
(A)
(B)
(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)
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(I) Federal, State, and local cost savings;
(II) project delivery time improvements;
(III) reduced fatalities; and
(IV) congestion impacts.
(4)
(A)
(B)
(i) reduce costs and improve return on investments, including through the enhanced use of existing transportation capacity;
(ii) deliver environmental benefits that alleviate congestion and streamline traffic flow;
(iii) measure and improve the operational performance of the applicable transportation network;
(iv) reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes and increase driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety;
(v) collect, disseminate, and use real-time traffic, transit, parking, and other transportation-related information to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and provide for more efficient and accessible transportation;
(vi) monitor transportation assets to improve infrastructure management, reduce maintenance costs, prioritize investment decisions, and ensure a state of good repair;
(vii) deliver economic benefits by reducing delays, improving system performance, and providing for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and services; or
(viii) accelerate the deployment of vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and other technologies.
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(I)
(II)
(aa) reducing traffic-related crashes, congestion, and costs;
(bb) optimizing system efficiency; and
(cc) improving access to transportation services.
(III)
(IV)
(V)
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(E)
(i) advanced traveler information systems;
(ii) advanced transportation management technologies;
(iii) infrastructure maintenance, monitoring, and condition assessment;
(iv) advanced public transportation systems;
(v) transportation system performance data collection, analysis, and dissemination systems;
(vi) 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;
(vii) integration of intelligent transportation systems with the Smart Grid and other energy distribution and charging systems;
(viii) electronic pricing and payment systems; or
(ix) advanced mobility and access technologies, such as dynamic ridesharing and information systems to support human services for elderly and disabled individuals.
(F)
(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 efficiency and multimodal system performance.
(G)
(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) provided the public with access to real-time integrated traffic, transit, and multimodal transportation information to make informed travel decisions;
(vii) provided cost savings to transportation agencies, businesses, and the traveling public; or
(viii) provided other benefits to transportation users and the general public.
(H)
(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)
(i)
(ii)
(J)
(K)
(L)
(M)
(i)
(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)
(I) the program under subsection (b);
(II) the program under this subsection; and
(III) the programs under sections 512 through 518.
(iii)
(N)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(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.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 508, referred to in subsec. (a)(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.
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 paragraph, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(A), (C)(i), (D)(i), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 114–94, which was approved Dec. 4, 2015.
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
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 "
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 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.
Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6020, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1582, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) To test the design, acceptance, and implementation of 2 or more future user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.
"(2) To improve the functionality of such user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.
"(3) To conduct outreach to increase public awareness regarding the need for alternative funding sources for surface transportation programs and to provide information on possible approaches.
"(4) To provide recommendations regarding adoption and implementation of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.
"(5) To minimize the administrative cost of any potential user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.
"(d)
"(1) shall address—
"(A) the implementation, interoperability, public acceptance, and other potential hurdles to the adoption of the user-based alternative revenue mechanism;
"(B) the protection of personal privacy;
"(C) the use of independent and private third-party vendors to collect fees and operate the user-based alternative revenue mechanism;
"(D) market-based congestion mitigation, if appropriate;
"(E) equity concerns, including the impacts of the user-based alternative revenue mechanism on differing income groups, various geographic areas, and the relative burdens on rural and urban drivers;
"(F) ease of compliance for different users of the transportation system; and
"(G) the reliability and security of technology used to implement the user-based alternative revenue mechanism; and
"(2) may address—
"(A) the flexibility and choices of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms, including the ability of users to select from various technology and payment options;
"(B) the cost of administering the user-based alternative revenue mechanism; and
"(C) the ability of the administering entity to audit and enforce user compliance.
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
"(h)
"(1) how the demonstration activities carried out with grant funds meet the objectives described in subsection (c); and
"(2) lessons learned for future deployment of alternative revenue mechanisms that utilize a user fee structure.
"(i)
"(j)
"(1) $15,000,000 shall be used to carry out this section for fiscal year 2016; and
"(2) $20,000,000 shall be used to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020.
"(k)
"(1) any of the funds reserved for the fiscal year under subsection (j) that the Secretary has not yet awarded under this section; and
"(2) an amount of obligation limitation equal to the amount of funds that the Secretary transfers under paragraph (1)."
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)
"(2)
Steel Bridge Testing
Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5202(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1787, provided that:
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
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