P. L. 109-59 (2005)

Public Law 109-59 – August 10, 2005
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users
(SAFETEA-LU)
As Amended by
Public Law 110-244 – June 6, 2008
SAFETEA–LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008
RITA-Specific Sections of SAFETEA-LU
Page
Title I – Federal-Aid Highways
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Sec. 1122 – Definitions
Sec. 1702 – Project Authorizations (#3891, 4591)
Sec. 1801(e) – National Ferry Database

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Title III – Public Transportation
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Sec. 3036 – Authorizations (University Transportation Research)

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Title IV – Motor Carrier Safety
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Sec. 4149 – Office of Intermodalism

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Title V – Research
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Sec. 5101 – Authorization of Appropriations (Federal Share)

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Sec. 5201(m) – Biobased Transportation Research
Sec. 5208 – Transportation Research and Development Strategic Planning
Sec. 5209 – National Cooperative Freight Research Program

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Sec. 5301 – National ITS Program Plan
Sec. 5302 – Use of Funds
Sec. 5303 – Goals and Purposes
Sec. 5304 – Infrastructure Development
Sec. 5305 – General Authorities and Requirements
Sec. 5306 – Research and Development
Sec. 5307 – National Architecture and Standards
Sec. 5308 – Road Weather Research and Development Program
Sec. 5310 – Definitions

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Sec. 5401 – National University Transportation Centers
Sec. 5402 – University Transportation Research

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Sec. 5506 – Commercial Remote Sensing Products and Spatial Information
Technologies
Sec. 5513 – Research Grants (selected)

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Sec. 5601 – Bureau of Transportation Statistics
o (a) Establishment
o (b) Director
o (c) Responsibilities
o (d) National Transportation Information Needs Assessment
o (e) Intermodal Transportation Database
o (f) National Transportation Library
o (g) National Transportation Atlas Database
o (h) Mandatory Response Authority for Freight Data Collection
o (i) Research and Development Grants
o (j) Limitations on Statutory Construction
o (k) Prohibition on Certain Disclosures
o (l) Transportation Statistics Annual Report
o (m) Data Access
o (n) Proceeds of Data Product Sales
o (o) Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics (ACTS)

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Title VII – Hazardous Materials Safety
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Sec. 7301 – Administrative Authority

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Title I – Federal-Aid Highways
SEC. 1122. DEFINITIONS.
(h) TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS DEFINED.—
Section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(39) TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘transportation systems management and
operations’ means an integrated program to optimize the performance of existing
infrastructure through the implementation of multimodal and intermodal, crossjurisdictional systems, services, and projects designed to preserve capacity and
improve security, safety, and reliability of the transportation system.
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘transportation systems management and
operations’ includes—
‘‘(i) regional operations collaboration and coordination activities between
transportation and public safety agencies; and
‘‘(ii) improvements to the transportation system, such as traffic detection
and surveillance, arterial management, freeway management, demand
management, work zone management, emergency management,
electronic toll collection, automated enforcement, traffic incident
management, roadway weather management, traveler information
services, commercial vehicle operations, traffic control, freight
management, and coordination of highway, rail, transit, bicycle, and
pedestrian operations.’’.1
SEC. 1702. PROJECT AUTHORIZATIONS.
Subject to section 117 of title 23, United States Code, the amount listed for each high priority
project in the following table shall be available (from amounts made available by section
1101(a)(16) of this Act) for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to carry out each such project:
Highway Projects
High Priority Projects
No.

State Project Description

Amount

3891

DE

Hydrogen Storage Research at Delaware State
University in Dover

$2,000,000

4591

NY

For research at the Rochester Institute of Technology
Alternative Fuels and Life-Cycle Engineering

$4,000,000

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§101(h); clarifies eligibility of use of Federal-Aid funding to include ITS deployment and intermodal/multi-modal
projects and operations. See also SAFETEA-LU §5310(8), “Definitions” for ITS Research.

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Section 1801 (e) National Ferry Database.—
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Transportation Statistics,
shall establish and maintain a national ferry database.
(2) Contents.--The database shall contain current information regarding ferry systems,
including information regarding routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding
sources and such other information as the Secretary considers useful.
(3) Update report.--Using information collected through the database, the Secretary shall
periodically modify as appropriate the report submitted under section 1207(c) of the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (23 U.S.C. 129 note; 112 Stat. 185-186).
(4) Requirements.--The Secretary shall—
(A) compile the database not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
and update the database every 2 years thereafter;
(B) ensure that the database is easily accessible to the public; and
(C) make available, from the amounts made available for the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics by section 5101 of this Act, not more than $500,000 for
each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to establish and maintain the database.

Title III – Public Transportation
SEC. 3036. AUTHORIZATIONS.
Section 5338 is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a) FISCAL YEAR 2005.—
(6) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.—
‘‘(A) TRUST FUND.—For fiscal year 2005, $5,208,000 shall be available from
the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out section 5505.
‘‘(B) GENERAL FUND.—In addition to amounts made available under
subparagraph (A), there is authorized to be appropriated $744,000 for fiscal year
2005 to carry out section 5505.
‘‘(C) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—Of the amounts made available or
appropriated under this paragraph—
‘‘(i) $1,984,000 shall be available for grants under section 5505(d) to the
center identified in section 5505(j)(4)(A), as in effect on the day before the
date of enactment of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2005; and
‘‘(ii) $1,984,000 shall be available for grants under section 5505(d) to the
center identified in section 5505(j)(4)(F), as in effect on the day before the
date of enactment of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2005.

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‘‘(D) SPECIAL RULE.—Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the
transportation research conducted by the centers receiving financial assistance
under this section.
‘‘(d) RESEARCH AND UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CENTERS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out transit
cooperative research programs under section 5313, the National Transit Institute under
section 5315, university research centers under section 5506, and national research
programs under sections 5312, 5313, 5314, and 5322 $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2006,
$61,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $65,500,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $69,750,000 for
fiscal year 2009, of which—
‘‘(C) $7,000,000 shall be allocated for each fiscal year to carry out the university
centers program under section 5506.
‘‘(2) UNIVERSITY CENTERS PROGRAM.—
‘‘(A) ALLOCATION.—Of the amounts allocated under paragraph (1)(C), the
following amounts shall be available to provide transportation research, training,
and curriculum development:
‘‘(i) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 for the
University of Tennessee—Knoxville National Transportation Research
Center.
‘‘(ii) $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 for Texas
A&M University—Texas Transportation Institute.
‘‘(iii) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 for Morgan
State University.
‘‘(iv) $400,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for the Small Urban
and Rural Transit Center at North Dakota State University.
‘‘(v) $550,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and $650,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the University Transportation
Center at the University of Alabama.
‘‘(vi) $450,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and $550,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the Injury Control Research Center
at the University of Alabama Birmingham.
‘‘(vii) $550,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and $650,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the Jackson State University
Intermodal Transportation Institute at the Jackson State University.
‘‘(viii) $550,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and $650,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the University Transportation
Center at the University of Denver/Mississippi State University.
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The universities specified in subparagraph (A) shall
be considered to be university transportation centers under section 5506 and shall
be subject to the requirements of subsections (b), (h), (i), (k), (l), and (m) of such
section.

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Title IV – Motor Carrier Safety
SEC. 4149. OFFICE OF INTERMODALISM.
Section 5503 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (e) by inserting ``Amounts reserved under section 5504(d) not awarded
to States as grants may be used by the Director to provide technical assistance under this
subsection.'' after ``organizations.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (h); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) National Intermodal System Improvement Plan.-``(1) In general.--The Director, in consultation with the advisory board established under
section 5502 and other public and private transportation interests, shall develop a plan to
improve the national intermodal transportation system. The plan shall include—
``(A) an assessment and forecast of the national intermodal transportation system's
impact on mobility, safety, energy consumption, the environment, technology,
international trade, economic activity, and quality of life in the United States;
``(B) an assessment of the operational and economic attributes of each passenger
and freight mode of transportation and the optimal role of each mode in the
national intermodal transportation system;
``(C) a description of recommended intermodal and multimodal research and
development projects;
``(D) a description of emerging trends that have an impact on the national
intermodal transportation system;
``(E) recommendations for improving intermodal policy, transportation decisionmaking, and financing to maximize mobility and the return on investment of
Federal spending on transportation;
``(F) an estimate of the impact of current Federal and State transportation policy on
the national intermodal transportation system; and
``(G) specific near and long-term goals for the national intermodal transportation
system.
``(2) Progress reports.--The Director shall submit an initial report on the plan to improve
the national intermodal transportation system 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Surface Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2005, and a follow-up report 2 years
after that, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. The
progress report shall-``(A) describe progress made toward achieving the plan's goals;
``(B) describe challenges and obstacles to achieving the plan's goals;
``(C) update the plan to reflect changed circumstances or new developments; and
``(D) make policy and legislative recommendations the Director believes are
necessary and appropriate to achieve the goals of the plan.

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``(3) Plan development funding.--Such sums as may be necessary from the administrative
expenses of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration shall be reserved by
the Secretary of Transportation each year for the purpose of completing and updating the
plan to improve the national intermodal transportation plan.
``(g) Impact Measurement Methodology; Impact Review.—
The Director and the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall jointly—
``(1) develop, in consultation with the modal administrations, and State and local
planning organizations, common measures to compare transportation investment
decisions across the various modes of transportation; and
``(2) formulate a methodology for measuring the impact of intermodal transportation on-``(A) the environment;
``(B) public health and welfare;
``(C) energy consumption;
``(D) the operation and efficiency of the transportation system;
``(E) congestion, including congestion at the Nation's ports; and
``(F) the economy and employment.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Transportation such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to
carry out this chapter.''.

Title V – Research
Subtitle A—Funding
SEC. 5101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The following sums are authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway
Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account):
(1) SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM.—To carry out sections 502, 503, 506, 507, 509, and 510
of title 23, United States Code, and sections 5201, 5203, 5204, 5309, 5501, 5502, 5503,
5504, 5506, 5511, 5512, and 5513 of this title $196,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2009 shall be available.
(2) TRAINING AND EDUCATION.—To carry out section 504 of title 23, United States
Code, and section 5502 of this Act $26,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through
2009.
(3) BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.—For the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics to carry out section 111 of title 49, United States Code,
$27,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.
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(4) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.—To carry out sections 5505 and
5506 of title 49, United States Code, ‘$40,400,000 for fiscal year 2005, $69,700,000 for
fiscal year 2006, $76,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008, and
$78,900,000 for fiscal year 2009.2
(5) INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) RESEARCH.—To carry out
subtitle C of this title, and section 511 of title 23, United States Code, $110,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.
(6) ITS DEPLOYMENT.—To carry out sections 5208 and 5209 of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 458; 112 Stat. 460), $122,000,000 for fiscal
year 2005.
(b) APPLICABILITY OF TITLE 23, UNITED STATES CODE.—Funds authorized to be
appropriated by subsection (a) shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such
funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; except that the Federal
share of the cost of a project or activity carried out using such funds shall be 50 percent, unless
otherwise expressly provided
Section 5201 (m) Biobased Transportation Research.—
Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act, $12,500,000 for each of fiscal
years 2006 through 2009, equally divided and available, shall be available to carry out biobased
research of national importance at the National Biodiesel Board and at research centers identified
in section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8109).
SEC. 5208. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC
PLANNING.
(a) In General.--Section 508 of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 508. Transportation research and development strategic planning
``(a) In General.—
``(1) Development.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU, the Secretary shall develop a 5-year transportation research and development
strategic plan to guide Federal transportation research and development activities. This
plan shall be consistent with section 306 of title 5, sections 1115 and 1116 of title 31, and
any other research and development plan within the Department of Transportation.
``(2) Contents.--The strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) shall-``(A) describe the primary purposes of the transportation research and development
program, which shall include, at a minimum—
``(i) reducing congestion and improving mobility;
``(ii) promoting safety;
``(iii) promoting security;
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§111(b)(1)(B); correlates UTC funding with annualized authorizations in §5401-5402; no change in total program
authorization.

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``(iv) protecting and enhancing the environment;
``(v) preserving the existing transportation system; and
``(vi) improving the durability and extending the life of transportation
infrastructure;
``(B) for each purpose, list the primary research and development topics that the
Department intends to pursue to accomplish that purpose, which may include the
fundamental research in the physical and natural sciences, applied research,
technology development, and social science research intended for each topic; and
``(C) for each research and development topic, describe—
``(i) the anticipated annual funding levels for the period covered by the strategic
plan; and
``(ii) the additional information the Department expects to gain at the end of the
period covered by the strategic plan as a result of the research and
development in that topic area.
``(3) Considerations.--In developing the strategic plan, the Secretary shall ensure that the
plan—
``(A) reflects input from a wide range of stakeholders;
``(B) includes and integrates the research and development programs of all the
Department's operating administrations, including aviation, transit, rail, and
maritime; and
``(C) takes into account how research and development by other Federal, State,
private sector, and nonprofit institutions contributes to the achievement of
the purposes identified under paragraph (2)(A), and avoids unnecessary
duplication with these efforts.
``(4) Performance plans and reports.--In reports submitted under sections 1115 and 1116
of title 31, the Secretary shall include—
``(A) a summary of the Federal transportation research and development activities
for the previous fiscal year in each topic area;
``(B) the amount of funding spent in each topic area;
``(C) a description of the extent to which the research and development is meeting
the expectations set forth in paragraph (2)(C)(ii); and
``(D) any amendments to the strategic plan.
``(b) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress an
annual report, in conjunction with the President's annual budget request as set forth in
section 1105 of title 31, describing the amount spent in the last completed fiscal year on
transportation research and development and the amount proposed in the current budget
for transportation research and development.
``(c) National Research Council Review.--The Secretary shall enter into an agreement for the
review by the National Research Council of the details of each-``(1) strategic plan under this section;

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``(2) performance plan required under section 1115 of title 31; and
``(3) program performance report required under section 1116 of title 31, with respect to
transportation research and development.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 5 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 508 and inserting the following:
``508. Transportation research and development strategic planning.''
SEC. 5209. NATIONAL COOPERATIVE FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 509. National cooperative freight transportation research program
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and support a national cooperative freight
transportation research program.
``(b) Agreement.--The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of
Sciences to support and carry out administrative and management activities relating to the
governance of the national cooperative freight transportation research program.
``(c) Advisory Committee.--The National Academy of Sciences shall select an advisory
committee consisting of a representative cross-section of freight stakeholders, including
the Department of Transportation, other Federal agencies, State transportation
departments, local governments, nonprofit entities, academia, and the private sector.
``(d) Governance.--The national cooperative freight transportation research program
established under this section shall include the following administrative and management
elements:
``(1) National research agenda.--The advisory committee, in consultation with interested
parties, shall recommend a national research agenda for the program. The agenda shall
include a multiyear strategic plan.
``(2) Involvement.--Interested parties may—
``(A) submit research proposals to the advisory committee;
``(B) participate in merit reviews of research proposals and peer reviews of research
products; and
``(C) receive research results.
``(3) Open competition and peer review of research proposals.--The National Academy
of Sciences may award research contracts and grants under the program through open
competition and merit review conducted on a regular basis.
``(4) Evaluation of research.—
``(A) Peer review.--Research contracts and grants under the program may allow peer
review of the research results.

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``(B) Programmatic evaluations.--The National Academy of Sciences may conduct
periodic programmatic evaluations on a regular basis of research contracts and
grants.
``(5) Dissemination of research findings.--The National Academy of Sciences shall
disseminate research findings to researchers, practitioners, and decisionmakers, through
conferences and seminars, field demonstrations, workshops, training programs,
presentations, testimony to government officials, the World Wide Web, publications for
the general public, and other appropriate means.
``(e) Contents.--The national research agenda required under subsection (d)(1) shall include
research in the following areas:
``(1) Techniques for estimating and quantifying public benefits derived from freight
transportation projects.
``(2) Alternative approaches to calculating the contribution of truck and rail traffic to
congestion on specific highway segments.
``(3) The feasibility of consolidating origins and destinations for freight movement.
``(4) Methods for incorporating estimates of international trade into landside
transportation planning.
``(5) The use of technology applications to increase capacity of highway lanes dedicated
to truck-only traffic.
``(6) Development of physical and policy alternatives for separating car and truck traffic.
``(7) Ways to synchronize infrastructure improvements with freight transportation
demand.
``(8) The effect of changing patterns of freight movement on transportation planning
decisions relating to rest areas.
``(9) Other research areas to identify and address emerging and future research needs
related to freight transportation by all modes.
``(f) Funding.—
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out under this
section shall be up to 100 percent
``(2) Use of non-federal funds.--In addition to using funds authorized for this section, the
National Academy of Sciences may seek and accept additional funding sources
from public and private entities capable of accepting funding from the
Department of Transportation, States, local governments, nonprofit foundations,
and the private sector.
``(3) Period of availability.--Amounts made available to carry out this section shall
remain available until expended.''.
(b) Funding.--Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act, $3,75,000 for
each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out section 509 of such
title.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``509. National cooperative freight transportation research program.''.

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Subtitle C—Intelligent Transportation System Research
SEC. 5301. NATIONAL ITS PROGRAM PLAN.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
‘‘§ 512. National ITS program plan
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(1) UPDATES.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–
LU, the Secretary, in consultation with interested stakeholders (including State
transportation departments) shall develop a 5-year National Intelligent Transportation
System (in this section referred to as ‘ITS’) program plan.
‘‘(2) SCOPE.—The National ITS program plan shall—
‘‘(A) specify the goals, objectives, and milestones for the research and
deployment of intelligent transportation systems in the contexts of—
‘‘(i) major metropolitan areas;
‘‘(ii) smaller metropolitan and rural areas; and
‘‘(iii) commercial vehicle operations;
‘‘(B) specify the manner in which specific programs and projects will achieve the
goals, objectives, and milestones referred to in subparagraph (A), including
consideration of a 5-year timeframe for the goals and objectives;
‘‘(C) identify activities that provide for the dynamic development, testing, and
necessary revision of standards and protocols to promote and ensure
interoperability in the implementation of intelligent transportation system
technologies, including actions taken to establish standards; and
‘‘(D) establish a cooperative process with State and local governments for—
‘‘(i) determining desired surface transportation system performance levels;
and
‘‘(ii) developing plans for accelerating the incorporation of specific
intelligent transportation system capabilities into surface transportation
systems.
‘‘(b) REPORTING.—The National ITS program plan shall be submitted and biennially
updated as part of the transportation research and development strategic plan developed under
section 508.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such chapter is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
‘‘512. National ITS Program Plan.’’.
SEC. 5302. USE OF FUNDS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is further amended by adding at
the end the following:

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‘‘§ 513. Use of funds for ITS activities
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each fiscal year, not more than $250,000 of the funds made
available to carry out this subtitle C of title V of the SAFETEA–LU shall be used for
intelligent transportation system outreach, public relations, displays, tours, and brochures.
‘‘(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to intelligent transportation system
training, scholarships, or the publication or distribution of research findings, technical
guidance, or similar documents.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such chapter is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
‘‘513. Use of funds for ITS activities.’’.
SEC. 5303. GOALS AND PURPOSES.
(a) GOALS.—The goals of the intelligent transportation system program include—
(1) enhancement of surface transportation efficiency and facilitation of intermodalism
and international trade to enable existing facilities to meet a significant portion of future
transportation needs, including public access to employment, goods, and services and to
reduce regulatory, financial, and other transaction costs to public agencies and system
users;
(2) achievement of national transportation safety goals, including the enhancement of
safe operation of motor vehicles and nonmotorized vehicles and improved emergency
response to a crash, with particular emphasis on decreasing the number and severity of
collisions;
(3) protection and enhancement of the natural environment and communities affected by
surface transportation, with particular emphasis on assisting State and local governments
to achieve national environmental goals;
(4) accommodation of the needs of all users of surface transportation systems, including
operators of commercial motor vehicles, passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles
and pedestrians, including individuals with disabilities; and
(5) improvement of the Nation’s ability to respond to security-related or other manmade
emergencies and natural disasters and enhancement of national defense mobility.
(b) PURPOSES.—The Secretary shall implement activities under the intelligent system
transportation program to, at a minimum—
(1) expedite, in both metropolitan and rural areas, deployment and integration of
intelligent transportation systems for consumers of passenger and freight transportation;
(2) ensure that Federal, State, and local transportation officials have adequate knowledge
of intelligent transportation systems for consideration in the transportation planning
process;
(3) improve regional cooperation and operations planning for effective intelligent
transportation system deployment;
(4) promote the innovative use of private resources;
(5) facilitate, in cooperation with the motor vehicle industry, the introduction of vehiclebased safety enhancing systems;

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(6) support the application of intelligent transportation systems that increase the safety
and efficiency of commercial motor vehicle operations;
(7) develop a workforce capable of developing, operating, and maintaining intelligent
transportation systems; and
(8) provide continuing support for operations and maintenance of intelligent
transportation systems.
SEC. 5304. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
Funds made available to carry out this subtitle for operational tests—
(1) shall be used primarily for the development of intelligent transportation system
infrastructure; and
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall not be used for the construction of physical
highway and public transportation infrastructure unless the construction is incidental and
critically necessary to the implementation of an intelligent transportation system project.
SEC. 5305. GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.
(a) SCOPE.—Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, the Secretary shall conduct an ongoing
intelligent transportation system program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent
transportation systems and to provide technical assistance in the nationwide application of those
systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.
(b) POLICY.—Intelligent transportation system research projects and operational tests funded
pursuant to this subtitle shall encourage and not displace public-private partnerships or private
sector investment in such tests and projects.
(c) COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENTAL, PRIVATE, AND EDUCATIONAL
ENTITIES.—The Secretary shall carry out the intelligent transportation system program in
cooperation with State and local governments and other public entities, the private sector firms
of the United States, the Federal laboratories, and colleges and universities, including historically
Black colleges and universities and other minority institutions of higher education.
(d) CONSULTATION WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS.—In carrying out the intelligent
transportation system program, the Secretary shall consult with the heads of other Federal
departments and agencies, as appropriate.
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND INFORMATION.—The Secretary may
provide technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to
implement, operate, maintain, or evaluate intelligent transportation system technologies and
services.
(f) TRANSPORTATION PLANNING.—The Secretary may provide funding to support
adequate consideration of transportation systems management and operations, including
intelligent transportation systems, within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning
processes.

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(g) INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall—
(A) maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of
federally sponsored projects carried out under this subtitle (including the
amendments made by this subtitle); and
(B) make, on request, that information (except for proprietary information and
data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.
(2) AGREEMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a third
party for the maintenance of the repository for technical and safety data under
paragraph (1)(A).
(B) FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—If the Secretary enters into an
agreement with an entity for the maintenance of the repository, the entity shall be
eligible for Federal financial assistance under this section.
(3) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.—Information in the repository shall not be
subject to sections 552 and 555 of title 5, United States Code.

(h) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— Establishment.
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee to advise the
Secretary on carrying out this subtitle.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee shall have no more than 20 members, be
balanced between metropolitan and rural interests, and include, at a minimum—
(A) a representative from a State highway department;
(B) a representative from a local highway department who is not from a
metropolitan planning organization;
(C) a representative from a State, local, or regional transit agency;
(D) a representative from a metropolitan planning organization;
(E) a private sector user of intelligent transportation system technologies;
(F) an academic researcher with expertise in computer science or another
information science field related to intelligent transportation systems, and who is
not an expert on transportation issues;
(G) an academic researcher who is a civil engineer;
(H) an academic researcher who is a social scientist with expertise in
transportation issues;
(I) a representative from a nonprofit group representing the intelligent
transportation system industry;
(J) a representative from a public interest group concerned with safety;
(K) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the
transportation system on land use and residential patterns; and
(L) members with expertise in planning, safety, and operations.
(3) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum, perform the following
duties:
(A) Provide input into the development of the Intelligent Transportation System
aspects of the strategic plan under section 508 of title 23, United States Code.

15

(B) Review, at least annually, areas of intelligent transportation systems research
being considered for funding by the Department, to determine—
(i) whether these activities are likely to advance either the state-of-thepractice or state-of-the-art in intelligent transportation systems;
(ii) whether the intelligent transportation system technologies are likely to
be deployed by users, and if not, to determine the barriers to deployment;
and
(iii) the appropriate roles for government and the private sector in
investing in the research and technologies being considered.
(4) REPORT.—Not later than February 1 of each year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report including—
(A) all recommendations made by the Advisory Committee during the preceding
calendar year;
(B) an explanation of how the Secretary has implemented those
recommendations; and
(C) for recommendations not implemented, the reasons for rejecting the
recommendations.
(5) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The Advisory
Committee shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(i) REPORTING.—
(1) GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall issue guidelines and requirements for
the reporting and evaluation of operational tests and deployment projects carried
out under this subtitle.
(B) OBJECTIVITY AND INDEPENDENCE.—The guidelines and requirements
issued under subparagraph (A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity
and independence of the reporting entity so as to avoid any real or apparent
conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such
test or deployment project or by any other formal evaluation carried out under this
subtitle.
(C) FUNDING.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A)
shall establish reporting funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or
project that ensure adequate reporting of the results of the test or project.
(2) SPECIAL RULE.—Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the Secretary
considers necessary to carry out the reporting of any test, deployment project, or program
assessment activity under this subtitle shall not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44, United
States Code.
SEC. 5306. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary 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.

16

(b) PRIORITY AREAS.—Under the program, the Secretary shall give higher priority to funding
projects that—
(1) enhance mobility and productivity through improved traffic management, incident
management, transit management, freight management, road weather management, toll
collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems and remote sensing
products;
(2) utilize interdisciplinary approaches to develop traffic management strategies and tools
to address multiple impacts of congestion concurrently;
(3) address traffic management, incident management, transit management, toll collection
traveler information, or highway operations systems with goals of—
(A) reducing metropolitan congestion by not less than 5 percent by 2010;
(B) ensuring that a national, interoperable 5–1–1 system, along with a national
traffic information system that includes a user-friendly, comprehensive website, is
fully implemented for use by travelers throughout the United States by September
30, 2010; and
(C)
(i) improving incident management response, particularly in rural areas, so
that rural emergency response times are reduced by an average of 10
minutes; and
(ii) improving communication between emergency care providers and
trauma centers;
(4) incorporate research on the impact of environmental, weather, and natural conditions
on intelligent transportation systems, including the effects of cold climates;
(5) enhance intermodal use of intelligent transportation systems for diverse groups,
including for emergency and health-related services;
(6) enhance safety through improved crash avoidance and protection, crash and other
notification, commercial motor vehicle operations, and infrastructure-based or
cooperative safety systems; and
(7) facilitate the integration of intelligent infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies.
(c) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost of operational tests and demonstrations
under subsection (a) shall not exceed 80.
SEC. 5307. NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—
(1) DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND MAINTENANCE.—Consistent with
section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15
U.S.C. 272 note; 110 Stat. 783), the Secretary shall develop, implement, and maintain a
national architecture and supporting standards and protocols to promote the widespread
use and evaluation of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the
surface transportation systems of the United States.
(2) INTEROPERABILITY AND EFFICIENCY.—To the maximum extent practicable,
the national architecture shall promote interoperability among, and efficiency of,
intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the United States.

17

(3) USE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS.—In carrying out
this section, the Secretary shall use the services of such standards development
organizations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(4) USE OF EXPERT PANEL.—
(A) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary shall designate a panel of experts to
recommend ways to expedite and streamline the process for developing the
standards and protocols to be developed pursuant to paragraph (1).
(B) NONAPPLICABILITY OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—
The expert panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.).
(C) DEADLINE FOR RECOMMENDATION.—Not later than September 30,
2007, the expert panel shall provide the Secretary with a recommendation relating
to such standards development.
(b) PROVISIONAL STANDARDS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary finds that the development or balloting of an
intelligent transportation system standard jeopardizes the timely achievement of the
objectives identified in subsection (a), the Secretary may establish a provisional standard,
after consultation with affected parties, using, to the extent practicable, the work product
of appropriate standards development organizations.
(2) PERIOD OF EFFECTIVENESS.—A provisional standard established under
paragraph (1) shall be published in the Federal Register and remain in effect until the
appropriate standards development organization adopts and publishes a standard.
(c) CONFORMITY WITH NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall
ensure that intelligent transportation system projects carried out using funds made
available from the Highway Trust Fund, including funds made available under this
subtitle to deploy intelligent transportation system technologies, conform to the national
architecture, applicable standards or provisional standards, and protocols developed
under subsection (a).
(2) SECRETARY’S DISCRETION.—The Secretary may authorize exceptions to
paragraph (1) for—
(A) projects designed to achieve specific research objectives outlined in the
national intelligent transportation system program plan or the surface
transportation research and development strategic plan developed under section
508 of title 23, United States Code; or
(B) the upgrade or expansion of an intelligent transportation system in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act 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).

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(3) EXCEPTIONS.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds used for operation or
maintenance of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment
of this Act.
SEC. 5308. ROAD WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a road weather research and
development program to—
(1) maximize use of available road weather information and technologies;
(2) expand road weather research and development efforts to enhance roadway safety,
capacity, and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts; and
(3) promote technology transfer of effective road weather scientific and technological
advances.
(b) STAKEHOLDER INPUT.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, nonprofit organizations,
and the private sector.
(c) CONTENTS.—The program established under this section shall solely carry out research and
development called for in the National Research Council’s report entitled ‘‘A Research Agenda
for Improving Road Weather Services’’. Such research and development includes—
(1) integrating existing observational networks and data management systems for road
weather applications;
(2) improving weather modeling capabilities and forecast tools, such as the road surface
and atmospheric interface;
(3) enhancing mechanisms for communicating road weather information to users, such as
transportation officials and the public; and
(4) integrating road weather technologies into an information infrastructure.
(d) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) enable efficient technology transfer;
(2) improve education and training of road weather information users, such as State and
local transportation officials and private sector transportation contractors; and
(3) coordinate with transportation weather research programs in other modes, such as
aviation.
(e) FUNDING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In awarding funds under this section, the Secretary shall give
preference to applications with significant matching funds from non-Federal sources.
(2) FUNDS FOR ROAD WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.— Of the
amounts made available by section 5101(a)(5) of this Act, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.

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SEC. 5310. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
(1) INCIDENT.—The term ‘‘incident’’ means a crash, a natural disaster, workzone
activity, special event, or other emergency road user occurrence that adversely affects or
impedes the normal flow of traffic.
(2) INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term
‘‘intelligent transportation infrastructure’’ means fully integrated public sector intelligent
transportation system components, as defined by the Secretary.
(3) INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘intelligent
transportation system’’ means electronics, photonics, communications, or information
processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface
transportation system.
(4) NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE.—The term ‘‘national architecture’’ means the
common framework for interoperability that defines—
(A) the functions associated with intelligent transportation system user services;
(B) the physical entities or subsystems within which the functions reside;
(C) the data interfaces and information flows between physical subsystems; and
(D) the communications requirements associated with the information flows.
(5) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘project’’ means an undertaking to research, develop, or
operationally test intelligent transportation systems or any other undertaking eligible for
assistance under this subtitle.
(6) STANDARD.—The term ‘‘standard’’ means a document that—
(A) contains technical specifications or other precise criteria for intelligent
transportation systems that are to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or
definitions of characteristics so as to ensure that materials, products, processes,
and services are fit for their purposes; and
(B) may support the national architecture and promote—
(i) the widespread use and adoption of intelligent transportation system
technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the
United States; and
(ii) interoperability among intelligent transportation system technologies
implemented throughout the States.
(7) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning given the term under section 101 of
title 23, United States Code.
(8) TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS.—The
term ‘‘transportation systems management and operations’’ has the meaning given the
term under section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code.

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Subtitle D—University Transportation Research;
Scholarship Opportunities
SEC. 5401. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5505 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 5505. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION.—The Secretary of
Transportation shall make grants under this section to eligible nonprofit
institutions of higher learning to establish and operate national university
transportation centers.
‘‘(2) ROLE OF CENTERS.—The role of each center shall be to advance
significant transportation research on critical national transportation issues
and to expand the workforce of transportation professionals.
‘‘(b) APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS.—A grant received by an eligible
nonprofit institution of higher learning under this section shall be available for the
same purposes, and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, as a grant made to
a nonprofit institution of higher learning under section 5506.
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘eligible nonprofit institution of higher
learning’ means each of the following:
‘‘(1) University of Alaska.
‘‘(2) Marshall University, West Virginia, on behalf of a consortium of
West Virginia colleges and universities.
‘‘(3) University of Minnesota.
‘‘(4) University of Missouri, Rolla.
‘‘(5) Northwestern University.
‘‘(6) Oklahoma Transportation Center.
‘‘(7) Portland State University, in partnership with the University of
Oregon, Oregon State University, and the Oregon Institute of Technology.
‘‘(8) University of Vermont.
‘‘(9) Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University.
‘‘(10) University of Wisconsin.
‘‘(d) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make a grant under this section to each eligible
nonprofit institution of higher learning in an amount $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2005 and
$3,500,000 in each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to carry out this section.’’.
(b) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(4) of this Act, $20,000,000
for fiscal year 2005 and $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be
available to carry out section 5505 of such title.

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(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for subchapter I of chapter 55 of such title
is amended by striking the item relating to section 5505 and inserting the following:
‘‘5505. National university transportation centers.’’.
SEC. 5402. UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5506 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 5506. UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation shall make grants under this
section to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish and operate university
transportation centers.
‘‘(b) OBJECTIVES.—Grants received under this section shall be used by nonprofit
institutions of higher learning to advance significantly the state-of-the-art in
transportation research and expand the workforce of transportation professionals through
the following programs and activities:
‘‘(1) RESEARCH.—Basic and applied research, the products of which are
judged by peers or other experts in the field of transportation to advance the body
of knowledge in transportation.
‘‘(2) EDUCATION.—An education program relating to transportation that
includes multidisciplinary course work and participation in research.
‘‘(3) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.—An ongoing program of technology transfer
that makes transportation research results available to potential users in a form
that can be implemented, utilized, or otherwise applied.
‘‘(c) REGIONAL, TIER I, AND TIER II CENTERS.—
‘‘(1) REGIONAL AND TIER I CENTERS.—For each of fiscal years 2005
through 2009, the Secretary shall make grants under subsection (a) to nonprofit
institutions of higher learning to establish and operate—
‘‘(A) 10 regional university transportation centers; and
‘‘(B) 10 Tier I university transportation centers.
‘‘(2) TIER II CENTERS.—
‘‘(A) For each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009, the Secretary shall make
grants under subsection (a) to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to
establish and operate 22 Tier II university transportation centers.
‘‘(B) The Tier II centers consist of the following:3
‘‘(i) University of Arkansas, Mack-Blackwell Rural Transportation
Center.
‘‘(ii) University of California, Davis.
3

§111(g)(3)(A); typo correction.

22

‘‘(iii) California State University, San Bernardino.
‘‘(iv) Cleveland State University, Work Zone Safety Institute.
‘‘(v) University of Connecticut.
‘‘(vi) University of Delaware in Newark.
‘‘(vii) University of Detroit Mercy (including the coalition partners
of the university).
‘‘(viii) George Mason University.
‘‘(ix) Hampton University, Eastern Seaboard Intermodal
Transportation Applications Center (ESITAC).
‘‘(x) Kansas State University.
‘‘(xi) Louisiana State University, LTRC-TTEC.
‘‘(xii) University of Massachusetts Amherst.
‘‘(xiii) Michigan Technological University.
‘‘(xiv) University of Nevada Las Vegas.
‘‘(xv) North Carolina State University, Center for Transportation
and the Environment.
‘‘(xvi) Northwestern University.
‘‘(xvii) Ohio Higher Education Transportation Consortium –
University of Akron.
‘‘(xviii) University of Rhode Island.
‘‘(xix) University of Toledo.
‘‘(xx) Utah State University.
‘‘(xxi) Youngstown State University.
‘‘(xxii) University of Memphis.
‘‘(3) LOCATION OF REGIONAL CENTERS.—One regional university
transportation center shall be located in each of the 10 United States Government
regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System.
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—A nonprofit institution of higher learning may not directly
receive a grant under this section for a fiscal year for more than one university
transportation center.
‘‘(d) COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS.—
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.—In order to be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (c)(1), a nonprofit institution of higher learning shall submit to the
Secretary an application that is in such form and contains such information as the
Secretary may require.
‘‘(2) GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA.—Except as otherwise provided by
this section, the Secretary shall select each recipient of a grant under subsection
(c)(1) through a competitive process on the basis of the following:
‘‘(A) The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the
recipient to carry out this section.

23

‘‘(B) The capability of the recipient to provide leadership in making
national and regional contributions to the solution of immediate and longrange transportation problems.
‘‘(C) The recipient’s demonstrated commitment of at least $400,000 each
year in regularly budgeted institutional amounts to support ongoing
transportation research and education programs.
‘‘(D) The recipient’s demonstrated ability to disseminate results of
transportation research and education programs through a statewide or
regionwide continuing education program.
‘‘(E) The strategic plan the recipient proposes to carry out under the grant.
‘‘(e) REGIONAL UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.—
‘‘(1) COMPETITION.—Not later than March 31, 2006, and not later than March
31st of every 4th year thereafter, the Secretary shall complete a competition
among nonprofit institutions of higher learning for grants to establish and operate
the 10 regional university transportation centers referred to in subsection
(c)(1)(A).
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In conducting a competition under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall select a nonprofit institution of higher learning on the basis
of—
‘‘(A) the criteria described in subsection (d)(2);
‘‘(B) the location of the center within the Federal region to be served; and
‘‘(C) whether or not the institution (or, in the case of a consortium of
institutions, the lead institution) demonstrates that it has a wellestablished, nationally recognized program in transportation research and
education, as evidenced by—
‘‘(i) not less than $2,000,000 in highway or public transportation
research expenditures each year for each of the preceding 5 years;
‘‘(ii) not less than 10 graduate degrees awarded in professional
fields closely related to highways and public transportation each
year for each of the preceding 5 years; and
‘‘(iii) not less than 5 tenured or tenure-track faculty members who
specialize on a full-time basis in professional fields closely related
to highways and public transportation who, as a group, have
published a total at least 50 refereed journal publications on
highway or public transportation research during the preceding 5
years.
‘‘(3) GRANT RECIPIENTS.—After selecting a nonprofit institution of higher
learning as a grant recipient on the basis of a competition conducted under this
subsection, the Secretary shall make a grant to the recipient to establish and
operate a regional university transportation center in each of the first 4 fiscal years
beginning after the date of the competition.

24

‘‘(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR FISCAL YEARS 2005 AND 2006.—For fiscal years
2005 and 2006, the Secretary shall make a grant under this section to each of the
10 nonprofit institutions of higher learning that were competitively selected for
grants by the Secretary under this section in July 1999 to operate regional
university transportation centers.
‘‘(5) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make a grant to a nonprofit
institution of higher learning to establish and operate a regional university
transportation center of—
‘‘(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
‘‘(B) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008; and
‘‘(C) $2,250,000 for fiscal year 2009.4
‘‘(f) TIER I UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.—
‘‘(1) COMPETITION.—Not later than June 30, 2006, and not later than June 30
of every 4th year thereafter, the Secretary shall complete a competition among
nonprofit institutions of higher learning for grants to establish and operate the 10
Tier I university transportation centers referred to in subsection (c)(1)(B).
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In conducting a competition under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall select a nonprofit institution of higher learning on the basis
of—
‘‘(A) the criteria described in subsection (d)(2); and
‘‘(B) whether or not the institution (or, in the case of a consortium of
institutions, the lead institution) can demonstrate that it has an established,
recognized program in transportation research and education, as evidenced
by—
‘‘(i) not less than $1,000,000 in highway or public transportation
research expenditures each year for each of the preceding 5 years
or not less than $6,000,000 in such expenditures during the 5
preceding years;
‘‘(ii) not less than 5 graduate degrees awarded in professional
fields closely related to highways and public transportation each
year for each of the preceding 5 years; and
‘‘(iii) not less than 3 tenured or tenure-track faculty members who
specialize on a full-time basis in professional fields closely related
to highways and public transportation who, as a group, have
published a total at least 20 refereed journal publications on
highway or public transportation research during the preceding 5
years.
‘‘(3) GRANT RECIPIENTS.—After selecting a nonprofit institution of higher
learning as a grant recipient on the basis of a competition conducted under this
subsection, the Secretary shall make a grant to the recipient to establish and
4

§116; increases FY09 authorized funding for regional UTCs to $2.250M/UTC.

25

operate a Tier I university transportation center in each of the first 4 fiscal years
beginning after the date of the competition.
‘‘(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR FISCAL YEARS 2005 AND 2006.—For fiscal years
2005 and 2006, the Secretary shall make a grant under this section to each of the
10 nonprofit institutions of higher learning that were competitively selected for
grant awards by the Secretary under this section in May 2002 to operate
university transportation centers (other than regional centers).
‘‘(5) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make a grant of $1,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to a nonprofit institution of higher
learning to establish and operate a Tier I university transportation center.
‘‘(g) TIER II UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.—
‘‘(1) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall make grants to the nonprofit institutions
of higher learning to establish and operate the 22 Tier II university transportation
centers referred to in subsection (c)(2)(B).
‘‘(2) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make a grant of $500,000
for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 to a nonprofit institution of higher
learning to establish and operate a Tier II university transportation center.
‘‘(h) SUPPORT OF NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
RESEARCH.—In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a nonprofit
institution of higher learning shall provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that
the research and education activities of its university transportation center will support
the national strategy for surface transportation research, as identified by—
‘‘(1) the report of the National Highway Research and Technology Partnership
entitled ‘Highway Research and Technology: The Need for Greater Investment’,
dated April 2002; and
‘‘(2) the programs of the National Research and Technology Program of the
Federal Transit Administration.
‘‘(i) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.—
“(1) IN GENERAL. – In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section,
a nonprofit institution of higher learning shall enter into an agreement with the
Secretary to ensure that the institution will maintain total expenditures from all
other sources to establish and operate a university transportation center and
related research activities at a level at least equal to the average level of such
expenditures in its 2 fiscal years prior to award of a grant under this section.

26

“(2) SPECIAL RULE – Nothing in paragraph (1) requires a nonprofit institution
of higher learning designated as a Tier II university transportation center to
maintain total expenditures as described in paragraph (1) in excess of the amount
of the grant awarded to the institution.”5
‘‘(j) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the costs of activities carried out using a
grant made under this section shall be 50 percent of such costs. The non-Federal share
may include funds provided to a recipient under section 503, 504(b), or 505 of title 23.
‘‘(k) PROGRAM COORDINATION.—
‘‘(1) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate the research, education,
and technology transfer activities that grant recipients carry out under this section,
disseminate the results of the research, and establish and operate a clearinghouse
to disseminate the results of the research.
‘‘(2) ANNUAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION.—At least annually, and
consistent with the plan developed under section 508 of title 23, the Secretary
shall review and evaluate programs of grant recipients.
‘‘(3) MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT.—For each of fiscal years 2008 and
2009, the Secretary shall expend not more than 1.5 percent of amounts made
available to carry out this section to carry out management and oversight of the
centers receiving assistance under this section and section 5505.6
‘‘(l) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall carry out this section
acting through the Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration.
‘‘(m) LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Funds made available to
carry out this section shall remain available for obligation by the Secretary for a period
of 2 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which such funds are authorized.’’.
(b) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(4) of this Act, the following
amounts shall be available to carry out section 5506 of such title.
(1) $20,400,000 for fiscal year 2005.
(2) $41,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
(3) $43,900,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for subchapter I of chapter 55 of such title
is amended by striking the item relating to section 5506 and inserting the following:
5

§111(g)(3)(B); exempts Tier II UTCs from needing to maintain expenditures in excess of grant value [the
URI/George Mason fix].
6
§111(g)(3)(c) increases the UTC management and oversight authorization to no more than 1.5% of funding made
available.

27

‘‘5506. University transportation research.’’.
SEC. 5506. COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING PRODUCTS AND SPATIAL
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES.
(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.—
(1) NATIONAL POLICY.—The Secretary 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 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, $7,750,000
for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.
SEC. 5513. RESEARCH GRANTS.
[The grants in section 5513 were assigned variously to FHWA, FMCSA, NHTSA, and RITA.]
(c) Technology Transfer Grant.—
(1) Grant.--The Secretary shall make grants to the Argonne National LaboratoryAdvanced Transportation Technology Center for the purpose of conducting
transportation research and demonstration projects that would lead to the exchange of
research results with the private sector and collaboration with universities at a centralized
location conducive for technology transfer.
(2) Funding.--Of the amounts made available under section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$4,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this
subsection.
(d) Appalachian Regional Commission.—
(1) Grant.--The Secretary shall make a grant to the Appalachian Regional Commission to
conduct a feasibility study for the creation of a system of inland ports and distribution
centers in Appalachia.

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(2) Funding.--Of the amounts made available under section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$500,000 in fiscal year 2006 shall be available to carry out this subsection.
(g) Rural Transportation Research Initiative.—
(1) Grants.--For each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009, the Secretary shall provide a
grant to the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University
for use in carrying out the Rural Transportation Research Initiative.
(2) Funding.-(A) In general.--Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry
out this subsection, and shall remain available until expended.
(B) Cost-sharing.-(i) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of the activities carried out
under this subsection shall be 80 percent.
(ii) Non-federal share.--The fair market value of any materials or services
provided by the non-Federal project sponsor for any activity under this
subsection shall be credited to the non-Federal share.
(h) Hydrogen-Powered Transportation Research Initiative.—
(1) Grants.--For each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009, the Secretary shall provide a
grant to the University of Montana for use in carrying out the Hydrogen-Powered
Transportation Research Initiative.
(2) Funding.-(A) In general.--Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$750,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry
out this subsection, and shall remain available until expended.
(B) Cost-sharing.—
(i) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of the activities carried out
under this subsection shall be 80 percent.
(ii) Non-federal share.--The fair market value of any materials or services
provided by the non-Federal project sponsor for an activity under this subsection
shall be credited to the non-Federal share.
(i) Cold Region and Rural Transportation Research, Maintenance, and Operations.—
(1) Grants.--The Secretary shall provide grants to the Western Transportation Institute at
Montana State University, for use in developing a research facility in Lewistown,
Montana, for basic and applied research and testing on surface transportation issues
facing rural and cold regions.

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(2) Funding.-(A) In general.--Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry
out this subsection, to remain available until expended.
(B) Cost-sharing.-(i) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of the activities carried out
under this subsection shall be 80 percent.
(ii) Non-federal share.--The fair market value of any materials or services
provided by the non-Federal project sponsor for an activity under this section
shall be credited to the non-Federal share.
(j) Advanced Vehicle Technology.—
(1) Grant.--The Secretary shall make a grant to the University of Kansas Transportation
Research Institute for research and development of advanced vehicle technology
concepts, focused on vehicle emissions, fuel cells and catalytic processes, and intelligent
transportation systems.
(2) Funding.--Of the amounts made available under section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$2,500,000 in each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this
subsection.
(k) Asphalt Research Consortium.-(1) Grant.--The Secretary shall make a grant to the asphalt research consortium lead by
the Western Research Institute to research flexible pavement and extending the life-cycle
of asphalts.
(2) Funding.--Of the amounts made available under section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$7,500,000 in each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this
subsection.
(l) Renewable Transportation Systems Research.-(1) Grants.--The Secretary shall make grants to the University of Vermont for research,
development and field testing of hydrogen fuel cell and biofuel transportation technology.
(2) Funding.-(A) In general.--Of the amounts made available for section 5101(a)(1) of this Act,
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 to remain available until expended.
(B) Cost-sharing.-(i) Federal share.--The Federal Share of the cost of activities carried out under
this section shall be 80 percent.
(ii) Non-federal share.--The fair market value of any materials or services
provided by the non-Federal sponsor for activities under this section shall be
credited to the non-Federal share.

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(m) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out in accordance with
this section shall be 80 percent unless otherwise expressly provided by this section or
otherwise determined by the Secretary.

Subtitle F—Bureau of Transportation Statistics
SEC. 5601. BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 111 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 111. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Research and Innovative
Technology Administration a Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
‘‘(b) DIRECTOR.—
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Bureau shall be headed by a Director who shall be
appointed in the competitive service by the Secretary of Transportation.
‘‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director shall be appointed from among
individuals who are qualified to serve as the Director by virtue of their training
and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of transportation statistics.
‘‘(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director of the Bureau shall serve as the Secretary’s
senior advisor on data and statistics and shall be responsible for carrying out the
following duties:
‘‘(1) PROVIDING DATA, STATISTICS, AND ANALYSIS TO
TRANSPORTATION DECISIONMAKERS.—Ensuring that the statistics
compiled under paragraph (5) are designed to support transportation
decisionmaking by the Federal Government, State and local governments,
metropolitan planning organizations, transportation-related associations, the
private sector (including the freight community), and the public.
‘‘(2) COORDINATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.—Working with
the operating administrations of the Department to establish and implement the
Bureau’s data programs and to improve the coordination of information collection
efforts with other Federal agencies.
‘‘(3) DATA MODERNIZATION.—Continually improving surveys and data
collection methods to improve the accuracy and utility of transportation statistics.
‘‘(4) ENCOURAGING DATA STANDARDIZATION.—Encouraging the
standardization of data, data collection methods, and data management and
storage technologies for data collected by the Bureau, the operating

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administrations of the Department of Transportation, States, local governments,
metropolitan planning organizations, and private sector entities.
‘‘(5) TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.—Collecting, compiling, analyzing,
and publishing a comprehensive set of transportation statistics on the performance
and impacts of the national transportation system, including statistics on—
‘‘(A) productivity in various parts of the transportation sector;
‘‘(B) traffic flows for all modes of transportation;
‘‘(C) other elements of the intermodal transportation database established
under subsection (e);
‘‘(D) travel times and measures of congestion;
‘‘(E) vehicle weights and other vehicle characteristics;
‘‘(F) demographic, economic, and other variables influencing traveling
behavior, including choice of transportation mode and goods movement;
‘‘(G) transportation costs for passenger travel and goods movement;
‘‘(H) availability and use of mass transit (including the number of
passengers served by each mass transit authority) and other forms of forhire passenger travel;
‘‘(I) frequency of vehicle and transportation facility repairs and other
interruptions of transportation service;
‘‘(J) safety and security for travelers, vehicles, and transportation systems;
‘‘(K) consequences of transportation for the human and natural
environment;
‘‘(L) the extent, connectivity, and condition of the transportation system,
building on the national transportation atlas database developed under
subsection (g); and
‘‘(M) transportation-related variables that influence the domestic economy
and global competitiveness.
‘‘(6) NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE.—Building and
disseminating the transportation layer of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure
developed under Executive Order No. 12906, including coordinating the
development of transportation geospatial data standards, compiling intermodal
geospatial data and collecting geospatial data that is not being collected by others.
‘‘(7) ISSUING GUIDELINES.—Issuing guidelines for the collection of
information by the Department required for statistics to be compiled under
paragraph (5) in order to ensure that such information is accurate, reliable,
relevant, and in a form that permits systematic analysis.
‘‘(8) REVIEW SOURCES AND RELIABILITY OF STATISTICS.—
Reviewing and reporting to the Secretary on the sources and reliability of the
statistics proposed by the heads of the operating administrations of the
Department to measure outputs and outcomes as required by the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103–62;107 Stat. 285), and the

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amendments made by such Act, and carrying out such other reviews of the
sources and reliability of other data collected or statistical information published
by the heads of the operating administrations of the Department as shall be
requested by the Secretary.
‘‘(9) MAKING STATISTICS ACCESSIBLE.—Making the statistics published
under this subsection readily accessible to the public.
‘‘(d) INFORMATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the
SAFETEA–LU, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National
Research Council to develop and publish a National transportation information
needs assessment (referred to in this subsection as the ‘assessment’). The
assessment shall be submitted to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of
Congress not later than 24 months after such agreement is entered into.
‘‘(2) CONTENT.—The assessment shall—
‘‘(A) identify, in order of priority, the transportation data that is not being
collected by the Bureau, operating administrations of the Department, or
other Federal, State, or local entities, but is needed to improve
transportation decisionmaking at the Federal, State, and local levels and to
fulfill the requirements of subsection (c)(5);
‘‘(B) recommend whether the data identified in subparagraph (A) should
be collected by the Bureau, other parts of the Department, or by other
Federal, State, or local entities, and whether any data is of a higher priority
than data currently being collected;
‘‘(C) identify any data the Bureau or other Federal, State, or local entity is
collecting that is not needed;
‘‘(D) describe new data collection methods (including changes in surveys)
and other changes the Bureau or other Federal, State, or local entity should
implement to improve the standardization, accuracy, and utility of
transportation data and statistics; and
‘‘(E) estimate the cost of implementing any recommendations.
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—In developing the assessment, the National Research
Council shall consult with the Department’s Advisory Council on Transportation
Statistics and a representative cross-section of transportation community
stakeholders as well as other Federal agencies, including the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
‘‘(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which
the National Research Council submits the assessment under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that describes—
‘‘(A) how the Department plans to fill the data gaps identified under
paragraph (2)(A);

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‘‘(B) how the Department plans to stop collecting data identified under
paragraph (2)(C);
‘‘(C) how the Department plans to implement improved data collection
methods and other changes identified under paragraph (2)(D);
‘‘(D) the expected costs of implementing subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)
of this paragraph;
‘‘(E) any findings of the assessment under paragraph (1) with which the
Secretary disagrees, and why; and
‘‘(F) any proposed statutory changes needed to implement the findings of
the assessment under paragraph (1).
‘‘(e) INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION DATABASE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In consultation with the Under Secretary for Policy, the
Assistant Secretaries, and the heads of the operating administrations of the
Department, the Director shall establish and maintain a transportation database for
all modes of transportation.
‘‘(2) USE.—The database shall be suitable for analyses carried out by the Federal
Government, the States, and metropolitan planning organizations.
‘‘(3) CONTENTS.—The database shall include—
‘‘(A) information on the volumes and patterns of movement of goods,
including local, interregional, and international movement, by all modes of
transportation and intermodal combinations and by relevant classification;
‘‘(B) information on the volumes and patterns of movement of people,
including local, interregional, and international movements, by all modes
of transportation (including bicycle and pedestrian modes) and intermodal
combinations and by relevant classification;
‘‘(C) information on the location and connectivity of transportation
facilities and services; and
‘‘(D) a national accounting of expenditures and capital stocks on each
mode of transportation and intermodal combination.

‘‘(f) NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION LIBRARY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall establish and maintain a National
Transportation Library, which shall contain a collection of statistical and other
information needed for transportation decisionmaking at the Federal, State, and
local levels.
‘‘(2) ACCESS.—The Director shall facilitate and promote access to the Library,
with the goal of improving the ability of the transportation community to share
information and the ability of the Director to make statistics readily accessible
under subsection (c)(9).

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‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—The Director shall work with other transportation
libraries and transportation information providers, both public and private, to
achieve the goal specified in paragraph (2).
‘‘(g) NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION ATLAS DATABASE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall develop and maintain a national
transportation atlas database that is comprised of geospatial databases that
depict—
‘‘(A) transportation networks;
‘‘(B) flows of people, goods, vehicles, and craft over the networks; and
‘‘(C) social, economic, and environmental conditions that affect or are
affected by the networks.
‘‘(2) INTERMODAL NETWORK ANALYSIS.—The databases shall be
able to support intermodal network analysis.
‘‘(h) MANDATORY RESPONSE AUTHORITY FOR FREIGHT DATA
COLLECTION.—Whoever, being the owner, official, agent, person in charge, or
assistant to the person in charge of any freight corporation, company, business,
institution, establishment, or organization of any nature whatsoever, neglects or refuses,
when requested by the Director or other authorized officer, employee, or contractor of the
Bureau, to answer completely and correctly to the best of the individual’s knowledge all
questions relating to the corporation, company, business, institution, establishment, or
other organization, or to make available records or statistics in the individual’s official
custody, contained in a data collection request prepared and submitted under the authority
of subsection (c)(1), shall be fined not more than $500; but if the individual willfully
gives a false answer to such a question, the individual shall be fined not more than
$10,000.
‘‘(i) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.—The Secretary may make
grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, public and nonprofit
private entities (including State transportation departments, metropolitan planning
organizations, and institutions of higher education) for—
‘‘(1) investigation of the subjects specified in subsection (c)(5) and research and
development of new methods of data collection, standardization, management,
integration, dissemination, interpretation, and analysis;
‘‘(2) demonstration programs by States, local governments, and metropolitan
planning organizations to coordinate data collection, reporting, management,
storage, and archiving to simplify data comparisons across jurisdictions;
‘‘(3) development of electronic clearinghouses of transportation data and related
information, as part of the National Transportation Library under subsection (f);
and
‘‘(4) development and improvement of methods for sharing geographic data, in
support of the database under subsection (g) and the National Spatial Data
Infrastructure.

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‘‘(j) LIMITATIONS ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in
this section shall be construed—
‘‘(1) to authorize the Bureau to require any other department or agency to collect
data; or
‘‘(2) to reduce the authority of any other officer of the Department to collect and
disseminate data independently.
‘‘(k) PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DISCLOSURES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An officer, employee, or contractor of the Bureau
may not—
‘‘(A) make any disclosure in which the data provided by an individual or
organization under subsection (c) can be identified;
‘‘(B) use the information provided under subsection (c) for a nonstatistical
purpose; or
‘‘(C) permit anyone other than an individual authorized by the Director to
examine any individual report provided under subsection (c).
‘‘(2) COPIES OF REPORTS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—No department, bureau, agency, officer, or
employee of the United States (except the Director in carrying out this
section) may require, for any reason, a copy of any report that has been
filed under subsection (c) with the Bureau or retained by an individual
respondent.
‘‘(B) LIMITATION ON JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.—A copy of a
report described in subparagraph (A) that has been retained by an
individual respondent or filed with the Bureau or any of its employees,
contractors, or agents—
‘‘(i) shall be immune from legal process; and
‘‘(ii) shall not, without the consent of the individual concerned, be
admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any action, suit, or
other judicial or administrative proceedings.
‘‘(C) APPLICABILITY.—This paragraph shall apply only to reports that
permit information concerning an individual or organization to be
reasonably determined by direct or indirect means.
‘‘(3) INFORMING RESPONDENT OF USE OF DATA.—In a case in which the
Bureau is authorized by statute to collect data or information for a nonstatistical
purpose, the Director shall clearly distinguish the collection of the data or
information, by rule and on the collection instrument, so as to inform a respondent
who is requested or required to supply the data or information of the nonstatistical
purpose.

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‘‘(l) TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS ANNUAL REPORT.—The Director shall
submit to the President and Congress a transportation statistics annual report which shall
include information on items referred to in subsection (c)(5), documentation of methods
used to obtain and ensure the quality of the statistics presented in the report, and
recommendations for improving transportation statistical information.
‘‘(m) DATA ACCESS.—The Director shall have access to transportation and
transportation-related information in the possession of any Federal agency, except
information—
‘‘(1) the disclosure of which to another Federal agency is expressly prohibited by
law; or
‘‘(2) the disclosure of which the agency possessing the information determines
would significantly impair the discharge of authorities and responsibilities which
have been delegated to, or vested by law, in such agency.
‘‘(n) PROCEEDS OF DATA PRODUCT SALES.—Notwithstanding section 3302 of
title 31, funds received by the Bureau from the sale of data products, for necessary
expenses incurred, may be credited to the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass
Transit Account) for the purpose of reimbursing the Bureau for the expenses.
‘‘(o) ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.—
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish an advisory council on
transportation statistics.
‘‘(2) FUNCTION.—The function of the advisory council established under this
subsection is to—
‘‘(A) advise the Director on the quality, reliability, consistency,
objectivity, and relevance of transportation statistics and analyses
collected, supported, or disseminated by the Bureau and the Department;
‘‘(B) provide input to and review the report to Congress under subsection
(d)(4); and
‘‘(C) advise the Director on methods to encourage cooperation and
interoperability of transportation data collected by the Bureau, the
operating administrations of the Department, States, local governments,
metropolitan planning organizations, and private sector entities.
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The advisory council established under this subsection
shall be composed of not fewer than 9 and not more than 11 members appointed
by the Director, who are not officers or employees of the United States. Each
member shall have expertise in transportation data collection or analysis or
application; except that 1 member shall have expertise in economics, 1 member
shall have expertise in statistics, and 1 member shall have experience in

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transportation safety. At least 1 member shall be a senior official of a State
department of transportation. Members shall include representation of a crosssection of transportation community stakeholders.
‘‘(4) TERMS OF APPOINTMENT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), members
of the advisory council shall be appointed to staggered terms not to exceed
3 years. A member may be renominated for 1 additional 3-year term.
‘‘(B) CURRENT MEMBERS.—Members serving on the Advisory
Council on Transportation Statistics as of the date of enactment of the
SAFETEA–LU shall serve until the end of their appointed terms.
‘‘(5) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall apply to the advisory council
established under this subsection, except that section 14 of such Act shall not
apply.’’.

Title VII – Hazardous Materials Transportation
Subtitle C—Research and Innovative Technology Administration
SEC. 7301. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY.
Section 112 is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES.—The Administrator may enter into grants
and cooperative agreements with Federal agencies, State and local government agencies,
other public entities, private organizations, and other persons—
‘‘(1) to conduct research into transportation service and infrastructure assurance;
and
‘‘(2) to carry out other research activities of the Administration.”

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