Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2010 for certain surface transportation research and development (R&D) activities.
Amends Federal highway law to revise requirements for transportation: (1) research strategic planning, requiring development of a five-year transportation R&D strategic plan to guide Federal transportation R&D activities; and (2) deployment grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a National Multimodal Trends Policy Research Program that systematically addresses critical short-term, medium-term, and long-term social science issues affecting and affected by the transportation system.
Directs the Secretary to implement programs to promote and demonstrate the application of innovative pavement technologies and technologies in highway safety.
Establishes the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program.
Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Research Council to develop a National Transportation Information Needs Assessment.
Requires the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to establish an Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics.
Directs the Secretary to establish a Future Strategic Highway Research Program.
Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to revise the Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1998 and rename it the Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 2005.
Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2010 for: (1) transit R&D; (2) highway safety R&D; and (3) motor carrier R&D.
Directs the Secretary to establish an Innovative Practices and Technologies Demonstration and Deployment Program.
Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary (or the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development when required for urban transportation planning) to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to: (1) conduct competent R&D and investigations into the theoretical or practical problems of urban transportation; and (2) train individuals to conduct further R&D or obtain employment in an organization that plans, builds, operates, or manages an urban transportation system.
Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a motor carrier R&D program; (2) a multimodal energy and climate change program to study the relationship of transportation, energy, and climate change as part of the National Climate Change Technology Initiative and the Climate Change Research Initiative; (3) a national cooperative freight transportation R&D program; (4) data exchange formats to ensure that highway and transit monitoring systems data, including statewide incident reporting systems, can readily be exchanged across jurisdictional boundaries; and (5) a planning capacity building initiative to support enhancements in transportation planning.
Directs the President shall establish a Next Generation National Transportation Policy Study Commission.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 242 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 242
To authorize appropriations to the Department of Transportation for
surface transportation research and development, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 6, 2005
Mr. Ehlers introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations to the Department of Transportation for
surface transportation research and development, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Surface
Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
TITLE I--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Goals, principles, and processes.
Sec. 103. Transportation research and development strategic planning.
Sec. 104. Surface transportation research and development.
Sec. 105. Technology deployment.
Sec. 106. Training and education.
Sec. 107. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Sec. 108. State planning and research.
Sec. 109. Future Strategic Highway Research Program.
Sec. 110. University transportation research.
Sec. 111. Intelligent Transportation Systems.
TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 202. Innovative Practices and Technologies Demonstration and
Deployment Program.
Sec. 203. National Transit Institute.
Sec. 204. Human resource programs.
Sec. 205. Highway safety research and development.
Sec. 206. Motor carrier research and development program.
Sec. 207. Transportation, energy, and environment.
Sec. 208. National cooperative freight transportation research and
development program.
Sec. 209. Next Generation National Transportation Policy Study
Commission.
Sec. 210. Real-time system management information program.
Sec. 211. Planning capacity building initiative.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Research and development are critical to developing and
maintaining a transportation system that meets the goals of
safety, mobility, economic vitality, efficiency, equity, and
environmental protection.
(2) Federally sponsored surface transportation research and
development has produced many successes. The development of
rumble strips has increased safety; research on materials has
increased the lifespan of pavements, saving money and reducing
the disruption caused by construction; and Geographic
Information Systems have improved the management and efficiency
of transit fleets.
(3) Despite these important successes, the Federal surface
transportation research and development investment represents
less than one percent of overall government spending on surface
transportation.
(4) While Congress increased funding for overall
transportation programs by about 40 percent in the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, funding for
transportation research and development remained relatively
flat.
(5) The Federal investment in research and development
should be balanced between short-term applied and long-term
fundamental research and development. The investment should
also cover a wide range of research areas, including research
on materials and construction, research on operations, research
on transportation trends and human factors, and research
addressing the institutional barriers to deployment of new
technologies.
(6) Therefore, Congress finds that it is in the United
States interest to increase the Federal investment in
transportation research and development, and to conduct
research in critical research gaps, in order to ensure that the
transportation system meets the goals of safety, mobility,
economic vitality, efficiency, equity, and environmental
protection.
TITLE I--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated for each
of fiscal years 2005 through 2010, to carry out this title and the
amendments made by this title (other than sections 108 and 109) and
other programs described in subsection (b), the greater of--
(1) 1.08 percent of the amounts made available in each
fiscal year from the Highway Trust Fund; or
(2) $500,000,000.
(b) Programs.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under
subsection (a)--
(1) 50 percent shall be for carrying out sections 502, 503,
506, 507, 508, and 510 of title 23, United States Code, section
5113(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century,
and section 104(d) of this Act, for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2010, of which--
(A) not less than $20,000,000 shall be for the
Surface Transportation Environment and Planning
Cooperative Research Program under section 507 of title
23, United States Code, for each of those fiscal years;
(B) not less than $10,000,000 shall be for advanced
exploratory research under section 502(d) of title 23,
United States Code, for each of those fiscal years; and
(C) not less than $5,000,000 shall be for the
National Multimodal Trends Policy Research Program
under section 104(d) of this Act for each of those
fiscal years;
(2) 6.5 percent shall be for carrying out section 504 of
title 23, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2010;
(3) 7.5 percent shall be for carrying out section 111 of
title 49, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2010, of which not less than $5,000,000 shall be for
research and development grants under subsection (i)(2) of such
section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010;
(4) 11.5 percent shall be for carrying out section 5505 of
title 49, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2010; and
(5) 24.5 percent shall be for carrying out the Intelligent
Transportation Systems Act of 2005 for each of fiscal years
2005 through 2010.
SEC. 102. GOALS, PRINCIPLES, AND PROCESSES.
(a) Goals.--The Federal Government shall support surface
transportation research and development to help achieve the goals
established for the surface transportation system as set forth in the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, including supporting
economic vitality, improving safety and security, increasing mobility,
protecting and enhancing the environment, improving integration between
modes of transportation, promoting efficiency, and emphasizing the
preservation of the existing transportation system.
(b) Basic Principles Governing Research and Development.--
(1) Coverage.--Surface transportation research and
development shall include all activities leading to technology
development and transfer, as well as the introduction of new
and innovative ideas, practices, and approaches, through such
mechanisms as field applications, education and training, and
technical support.
(2) Federal responsibility.--The Federal Government shall
fund and conduct surface transportation research and
development and technology transfer activities that--
(A) are of national significance;
(B) support research and development in which there
is a clear public benefit, and private sector
investment is less than optimal due to market failure;
(C) support research and development that the
Secretary determines is critical that is not otherwise
being conducted by the public or private sector; or
(D) support a Federal stewardship role in ensuring
that State and local governments use national resources
efficiently.
(3) Role.--Consistent with these Federal responsibilities,
the Secretary of Transportation shall--
(A) conduct research and development;
(B) support and facilitate research and development
and technology transfer activities by State highway
agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and
local governments;
(C) share results of completed research and
development; and
(D) support and facilitate technology and
innovation deployment.
(4) Program content.--The surface transportation research
and development program shall include--
(A) fundamental, long-term research;
(B) research and development aimed at significant
research gaps, and emerging issues with national
implications; and
(C) research related to policy and planning.
(c) Processes.--
(1) Stakeholder input.--Federal surface transportation
research and development activities shall address the needs of
stakeholders. Stakeholders include States, metropolitan
planning organizations, local governments, the private sector,
researchers, research sponsors, and other affected parties,
including public interest groups.
(2) Competition and peer review.--Except as otherwise
provided in this Act, the Secretary shall award all grants,
contracts, and cooperative agreements for research and
development under this Act based on open competition and peer
review of proposals.
(3) Performance review and evaluation.--To the maximum
extent practicable, all surface transportation research and
development projects shall include a component of performance
measurement and evaluation. Performance measures shall be
established during the proposal stage of a research and
development project and shall, to the maximum extent possible,
be outcome-based. All evaluations shall be made readily
available to the public.
SEC. 103. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLANNING.
(a) Amendment.--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 Surface Transportation Research and
Development Act of 2005, 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;
``(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 not-for-profit 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 Congress an
annual report, along with the President's annual budget request,
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 section 508;
``(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 title 23,
United States Code, is amended by striking the item related to section
508 and inserting the following:
``508. Transportation research and development strategic planning.''.
SEC. 104. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Surface Transportation Research and Development.--Section 502
of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``may'' and
inserting ``shall''; and
(B) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) of
paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(B) all phases of transportation planning and
development (including construction, transportation
system management and operation, modernization,
development, design, maintenance, safety, data
collection, performance analysis, multimodal
assessment, financing, demand forecasting, and traffic
conditions);
``(C) institutional arrangements and support; and
``(D) the effect of State laws on the activities
described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).'';
(2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
``(c) Contents of Research and Development Program.--The Secretary
shall include in surface transportation research, development, and
technology transfer programs carried out under this title coordinated
activities in the following areas:
``(1) Research and development on materials and structures
to improve the durability of surface transportation
infrastructure and extend the life of pavements and bridges,
including, as appropriate--
``(A) development of nondestructive evaluation
equipment for use with existing infrastructure
facilities and with next-generation infrastructure
facilities that use advanced materials;
``(B) standardized estimates, developed in
conjunction with the National Institute of Standards
and Technology and other appropriate organizations, of
useful life under various conditions for advanced
materials of use in surface transportation;
``(C) research on the effects of climate conditions
(such as freezing, thawing, and precipitation) on
highway construction materials, and development of
materials that can withstand climatic conditions; and
``(D) economic highway geometrics, structures, and
desirable weight and size standards for vehicles using
the public highways and the feasibility of uniformity
in State regulations with respect to such standards.
``(2) Research and development on the operation and
management of the surface transportation system to improve
efficiency, productivity, and safety, including, as
appropriate--
``(A) technologies and practices that reduce costs
and minimize disruptions associated with the
construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of
surface transportation systems, including responses to
natural disasters;
``(B) research and system analysis to facilitate
and integrate bicycle and pedestrian travel in the
transportation system, including within National Parks
and in areas adjacent to National Park land;
``(C) development of dynamic simulation models of
surface transportation systems for--
``(i) predicting capacity, safety, and
infrastructure durability problems;
``(ii) evaluating the extent to which
projects are likely to achieve their stated
objectives; and
``(iii) testing the strengths and
weaknesses of proposed revisions to surface
transportation operations and management
programs;
``(D) improvement of life cycle cost analysis,
including--
``(i) establishing the appropriate analysis
period and discount rates;
``(ii) learning how to value and properly
consider use costs;
``(iii) determining tradeoffs between
reconstruction and rehabilitation; and
``(iv) establishing methodologies for
balancing higher initial costs of new
technologies and improved or advanced materials
against lower maintenance costs;
``(E) research on the effects of climatic
conditions (such as freezing, thawing, and
precipitation) on the costs of highway construction
materials and maintenance;
``(F) research, development, and technology
transfer related to asset management; and
``(G) evaluation of traffic calming measures that
promote community preservation, transportation mode
choice, and safety.
``(3) Research, development, and technology transfer to
improve safety.
``(4) Research and development to support the evaluation of
how the surface transportation system and individual surface
transportation projects meet the goals of the surface
transportation system stated in section 102(a) of the Surface
Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005, including,
as appropriate--
``(A) development, use, and dissemination of
indicators, including appropriate computer programs for
collecting and analyzing data on the status of
infrastructure facilities, to measure the performance
of the surface transportation systems of the United
States, including productivity, efficiency, energy use,
air quality, congestion, safety, maintenance, and other
factors that reflect system performance; and
``(B) research on, and dissemination of
recommendations and best practices aimed at addressing,
nontechnical barriers to technology deployment (such as
fragmented local authority, rigid procurement rules,
and privacy and liability considerations).
``(5) To assess how the surface transportation system
affects and is affected by social systems, including, as
appropriate--
``(A) research aimed at understanding how emerging
trends (including demographic, economic, and social
trends) will affect surface transportation usage and
needs;
``(B) research on how land use affects and is
affected by surface transportation investments; and
``(C) telecommuting and the linkages between
transportation, information technology, and community
development, and the impact of technological change and
economic restructuring on travel demand.
``(6) Environmental research and development, including
research described in the Transportation Research Board Special
Report 268, entitled `Surface Transportation Environmental
Research: A Long-Term Strategy' published in 2002.
``(7) Exploratory advanced research in any of the preceding
areas.
``(8) Any other surface transportation research and
development topics that the Secretary determines, in accordance
with the strategic planning process under section 508, to be
critical.'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``exploratory''
after ``shall establish an''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following new paragraphs:
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the research program under
this subsection shall be to achieve breakthroughs in
transportation research. Exploratory advanced research should
have a broader objective, longer time frame, multidisciplinary
nature, and have both a higher risk and a higher potential
payoff than for problem-solving research.
``(3) Workshop.--The Secretary shall convene a workshop
with appropriate researchers and policymakers from Federal and
State agencies, as well as academic researchers. The purpose of
the workshop shall be to determine priority areas of
exploratory advanced research and to identify the best way to
accomplish this research (such as through federally funded
research and development centers or academic researchers). The
workshop shall include a diverse group of stakeholders. The
Secretary shall make the results of the workshop widely
available to the public. The workshop shall be held within 6
months after the date of the enactment of this paragraph.
``(4) Grant program.--The Secretary may administer a
competitive, peer-reviewed grant program to support exploratory
advanced research.
``(5) Report.--The President's annual budget request to the
Congress shall indicate the amount of funding used in the
previous fiscal year, and proposed for the next fiscal year, to
support exploratory advanced research under this subsection,
including the amount used to support extramural research grants
in exploratory advanced research under this subsection.'';
(4) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``(105 Stat.'' and
all that follows through ``performance program'' and inserting
``and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century'';
(5) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections
(g) and (h), respectively, and by inserting after subsection
(e) the following new subsection:
``(f) Long-Term Bridge Performance Program.--
``(1) Authority.--The Secretary shall establish a 20-year,
long-term bridge performance program.
``(2) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.--Under
the program, the Secretary shall make grants and enter into
cooperative agreements and contracts to--
``(A) monitor, material-test, and evaluate test
bridges;
``(B) analyze the data obtained in carrying out
subparagraph (A); and
``(C) prepare products to fulfill program
objectives and meet future bridge technology needs.'';
(6) in subsection (h)(2), as so redesignated by paragraph
(5) of this subsection, by striking ``biannual reports'' and
all that follows through ``21st Century'' and inserting
``previous reports under this subsection''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate in the
Federal Highway Administration a Turner-Fairbank Highway
Research Center.
``(2) Uses of the center.--The Turner-Fairbank Highway
Research Center shall support the--
``(A) conduct of highway research and development
related to new highway technology;
``(B) 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; and
``(C) development of innovative highway products
and practices.''.
(b) Geospatial Information Systems.--Section 5113 of the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (23 U.S.C. 502 note) is
amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Program.--
``(1) National policy.--The Secretary shall establish and
maintain a national policy for the use of commercial remote
sensing products and geospatial information technologies in
national transportation infrastructure development and
construction.
``(2) Policy implementation.--The Secretary shall develop
new applications of commercial remote sensing products and
geospatial information technologies for the implementation of
the national policy established and maintained under paragraph
(1).''.
(c) Environment and Planning.--
(1) Amendment.--Section 507 of title 23, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 507. Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative
Research Program
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and
support a collaborative, public-private, multimodal surface
transportation environment and planning cooperative research
and development program.
``(2) Program.--The program established under paragraph (1)
shall solely carry out research and development called for in
the Transportation Research Board Special Report 268, entitled
`Surface Transportation Environmental Research: A Long-Term
Strategy', published in 2002, which included the following
research and development areas:
``(A) Human Health.
``(B) Ecology and Natural Systems.
``(C) Environmental and Social Justice.
``(D) Emerging Technologies.
``(E) Land Use.
``(F) Planning and Performance Measures.
``(b) Administration.--
``(1) Agreement.--The Secretary shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council, or another
nonprofit research organization, such as the Health Effects
Institute, to administer the program established under
subsection (a)(1).
``(2) Dissemination of research and development findings.--
The organization described in paragraph (1) and the Department
of Transportation shall proactively disseminate research and
development findings under this section to researchers,
practitioners, and decisionmakers.
``(c) Advisory Board.--
``(1) Establishment.--The organization described in
subsection (b)(1) shall establish an advisory board.
``(2) Membership.--The advisory board shall be balanced,
and shall include--
``(A) representatives from pubic interest groups
representing the environment;
``(B) representatives of State, regional, and local
transportation agencies, including metropolitan
planning organizations and transit agencies;
``(C) representatives of State environmental
agencies;
``(D) transportation and environmental scientists
and engineers; and
``(E) representatives of Federal agencies,
including the Department of Transportation, the
Environmental Protection Agency, and the National
Science Foundation.
``(3) Responsibilities.--The advisory board shall--
``(A) develop an annual research and development
agenda to carry out research and development activities
described in subsection (a)(2);
``(B) solicit research proposals to carry out the
research and development agenda, and oversee peer
review of proposals;
``(C) develop project selection criteria through an
open and public consultation process with stakeholders;
and
``(D) select projects for funding.
``(4) Criteria.--In developing criteria, the advisory board
shall give priority to proposals that--
``(A) are designed to develop fundamental
knowledge;
``(B) are interdisciplinary and involve
partnerships; and
``(C) include significant matching funds.
``(d) Project Funding.--In addition to using funds authorized for
this section, the organization described in subsection (b)(1) is
encouraged to seek and accept additional funding sources from public
and private entities.
``(e) Annual Report.--The organization described in subsection
(b)(1) shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary and the Congress an
annual report that includes a project summary for every project funded
under this section. Each summary shall describe the project, summarize
its status and funding levels, and identify sources of funding.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The analysis for chapter 5 of
title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
related to section 507 and inserting the following:
``507. Surface transportation environment and planning cooperative
research program.''.
(d) National Multimodal Trends Policy Research and Development
Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a National
Multimodal Trends Policy Research and Development Program that
systematically addresses critical short-term, medium-term, and
long-term social science issues affecting and affected by the
transportation system.
(2) Contents.--The program to be carried out under this
subsection shall include research and development on--
(A) how, and the extent to which, the overall
transportation system is meeting the goals set forth in
the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, and
how to improve evaluation methodologies and performance
measures;
(B) the development of policy analysis tools and
methods for use by decisionmakers;
(C) the critical factors and major trends affecting
the success and performance of the Nation's
transportation system, as well as how such information
can be incorporated into national, State, and local
decisionmaking;
(D) economic, demographic, and social trends that
are affecting and are affected by the transportation
system, including such topics as--
(i) economic trends, including
international trade and its effects on the
transportation of people and goods, rapidly
changing information technology, the changing
nature of metropolitan economies,
diversification of employment sites, and
innovations in goods movement;
(ii) demographic trends, changing
residential patterns, and the aging of the
population; and
(iii) social trends, including income
disparity, access of underserved populations to
jobs, services and health care, including the
needs of low-income, minority, and transit-
dependent populations in urban and rural areas,
the needs of rural populations, and the effects
of new technologies on driver behavior;
(E) how institutional factors affect the
development and successful deployment of new
technologies; and
(F) other critical issues identified by the
Advisory Board established under paragraph (4).
(3) Establishment.--The Secretary shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council to establish the
advisory board under paragraph (4) and to administer the
program.
(4) Advisory board.--
(A) Membership.--A majority of members of the
advisory board shall be experts in a broad array of
social science fields. Additional members of the
advisory board shall be balanced among representatives
of Federal, State, and local transportation agencies,
other agencies with appropriate expertise, metropolitan
planning organizations, transit operating agencies, and
environmental and other nonprofit organizations,
including representatives of community-based
orgainzations.
(B) Responsibilities.--The advisory board shall--
(i) develop a detailed research and
development agenda, which shall serve as the
basis of the annual project solicitation;
(ii) annually solicit project proposals,
through open competition and peer review of
research and development proposals; and
(iii) develop project selection criteria,
through an open and public consultation process
with stakeholders.
(5) Dissemination of research and development findings.--
The National Research Council and the Department of
Transportation shall disseminate research and development
findings under this subsection to researchers, practitioners,
and decisionmakers.
(e) Road Weather Research and Development Program.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a road
weather research and development program to--
(A) maximize use of available road weather
information and technologies;
(B) expand road weather research and development
efforts to enhance roadway safety, capacity, and
efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts; and
(C) promote technology transfer of effective road
weather scientific and technological advances.
(2) Stakeholder input.--In carrying out this subsection,
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.
(3) Contents.--The program established under this
subsection 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--
(A) integrating existing observational networks and
data management systems for road weather applications;
(B) improving weather modeling capabilities and
forecast tools, such as the road surface and
atmospheric interface;
(C) enhancing mechanisms for communicating road
weather information to users, such as transportation
officials and the public; and
(D) integrating road weather technologies into an
information infrastructure.
(4) Activities.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall--
(A) enable efficient technology transfer;
(B) improve education and training of road weather
information users, such as State and local
transportation officials and private sector
transportation contractors; and
(C) coordinate with transportation weather research
programs in other modes, such as aviation.
(5) Funding.--In awarding funds under this subsection, the
Secretary shall give preference to applications with
significant matching funds from non-Federal sources. From the
amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 101(b)(1),
there shall be available $5,000,000 for carrying out this
subsection for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010.
SEC. 105. TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT.
(a) Technology Deployment Program.--Section 503(a) of title 23,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Initiatives
and Partnerships'';
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall develop and
administer a national technology deployment program.'';
(3) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
``(7) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.--
``(A) In general.--Under the program, the Secretary
shall make grants to, and enter into cooperative
agreements and contracts with, States, other Federal
agencies, universities and colleges, private sector
entities, and nonprofit organizations to pay the
Federal share of the cost of research, development, and
technology transfer concerning innovative materials.
``(B) Applications.--To receive a grant under this
subsection, an entity described in subparagraph (A)
shall submit an application to the Secretary. The
application shall be in such form and contain such
information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary
shall select and approve the applications based on open
competition and peer review, and on whether the project
that is the subject of the grant serves the purpose of
the program described in paragraph (2).'';
(4) by striking paragraph (8);
(5) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
(6) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) Technology and information transfer.--The Secretary
shall ensure that the information and technology resulting from
research and development conducted under paragraph (3) is made
available to State and local transportation departments and
other interested parties as specified by the Secretary.
``(9) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a
project under this section shall be determined by the
Secretary.''.
(b) Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 503(b) of title 23, United States
Code, is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and carry
out a program to promote, demonstrate, evaluate, and document
the application of innovative designs, materials and
construction methods in the construction, repair, and
rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures.''.
(2) Goals.--Section 503(b) of such title is amended by
striking paragraph (2) and inserting:
``(2) Goals.--The goals of the program shall include--
``(A) the development of new, cost-effective,
innovative highway bridge applications;
``(B) the development of construction techniques to
increase safety and reduce construction time and
traffic congestion;
``(C) the development of engineering design
criteria for innovative products, materials, and
structural systems for use in highway bridges and
structures;
``(D) the reduction of maintenance costs and life-
cycle costs of bridges, including the costs of new
construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of
deficient bridges;
``(E) the development of highway bridges and
structures that will withstand natural disasters and
terrorist attacks;
``(F) the documentation and wide dissemination of
objective evaluations of the performance and benefits
of these innovative designs, materials, and
construction methods; and
``(G) the effective transfer of resulting
information and technology.''.
(c) Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program.--Section
503 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding after
subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and
implement a program to promote, demonstrate, support, and
document the application of innovative pavement technologies,
practices, performance, and benefits.
``(2) Goals.--The goals of the innovative pavement research
and deployment program shall include--
``(A) the deployment of new, cost-effective
innovative designs, materials, and practices to extend
pavement life and performance and to improve customer
satisfaction;
``(B) the reduction of initial costs and life-cycle
costs of pavements, including the costs of new
construction, replacement, maintenance, and
rehabilitation;
``(C) the deployment of accelerated construction
techniques, including innovative pavement materials, to
increase safety and reduce construction time and
traffic disruption and congestion;
``(D) the deployment of engineering design criteria
and specifications for innovative practices, products,
and materials for use in highway pavements;
``(E) the deployment of new nondestructive and real
time pavement evaluation technologies and techniques;
``(F) evaluation, refinement, and documentation of
the performance and benefits of innovative technologies
deployed to improve life, performance, cost
effectiveness, safety, and customer satisfaction;
``(G) effective technology transfer and information
dissemination to accelerate implementation of
innovative technologies and to improve life,
performance, cost effectiveness, safety, and customer
satisfaction; and
``(H) the development of designs and materials to
reduce storm water runoff.
``(3) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.--
``(A) In general.--Under the program, the Secretary
shall make grants to, and enter into cooperative
agreements and contracts with States, other Federal
agencies, universities and colleges, private sector
entities, and nonprofit organizations for research,
development, and technology transfer for innovative
safety technologies.
``(B) Applications.--To receive a grant under this
subsection, an entity described in subparagraph (A)
shall submit an application to the Secretary. The
application shall be in such form and contain such
information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary
shall select and approve the applications based on open
competition and peer review, and on whether the project
that is the subject of the grant meets the goals of the
program described in paragraph (2).
``(4) Technology and information transfer.--The Secretary
shall take such action as is necessary to ensure that the
information and technology resulting from research conducted
under paragraph (3) is made available to State and local
transportation departments and other interested parties as
specified by the Secretary.''.
(d) Safety Innovation Deployment Program.--Section 503 of title 23,
United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by
adding the following:
``(d) Safety Innovation Deployment Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and
implement a program to demonstrate the application of
innovative technologies in highway safety.
``(2) Goals.--The goals of the program shall include--
``(A) the deployment and evaluation of safety
technologies and innovations at state and local levels;
and
``(B) the deployment of best practices in training,
management, design, and planning.
``(3) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.--
``(A) In general.--Under the program, the Secretary
shall make grants to, and enter into cooperative
agreements and contracts with States, other Federal
agencies, universities and colleges, private sector
entities, and nonprofit organizations for research,
development, and technology transfer for innovative
safety technologies.
``(B) Applications.--To receive a grant under this
subsection, an entity described in subparagraph (A)
shall submit an application to the Secretary. The
application shall be in such form and contain such
information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary
shall select and approve the applications based on open
competition and peer review, and on whether the project
that is the subject of the grant meets the goals of the
program described in paragraph (2).
``(4) Technology and information transfer.--The Secretary
shall take such action as is necessary to ensure that the
information and technology resulting from research conducted
under paragraph (3) is made available to State and local
transportation departments and other interested parties as
specified by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 106. TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
(a) National Highway Institute.--Section 504(a) of title 23, United
States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the
following:
``(3) Courses.--
``(A) In general.--The Institute shall develop or
update courses in the subject areas of asset
management, application of emerging technologies,
including intelligent transportation systems,
techniques, methods, regulations, information
technology, general management, environmental
stewardship, acquisition of rights-of-way, relocation
assistance, engineering, safety, transportation system
management and operations, construction, maintenance,
contract administration, inspection, and finance.
``(B) Additional courses.--In addition to the
courses in the subject matter areas described in
subparagraph (A), the Institute, in consultation with
State transportation departments and the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials, may develop other courses as it considers
necessary.
``(C) Revision of courses offered.--The Institute
shall periodically--
``(i) review the course inventory of the
Institute; and
``(ii) revise or cease to offer courses
based on course content, applicability, and
need.''.
(b) Local Technical Assistance Program.--Section 504(b) of title
23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Federal share.--
``(A) Grants.--The grant funds authorized to carry
out this subsection may be used to cover up to 50
percent of the program costs relating to local
technical assistance. Funds available for technology
transfer and training purposes under this title and
title 49 may be used to cover the remaining 50 percent
of the program costs.
``(B) Tribal technical assistance centers.--The
Federal share of the cost of activities carried out by
the tribal technical assistance centers under paragraph
(2)(D)(ii) of this subsection shall be 100 percent.''.
(c) Surface Transportation Workforce Development, Training, and
Education.--Section 504 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(d) Surface Transportation Workforce Development, Training, and
Education.--
``(1) Funding.--Subject to project approval by the
Secretary, a State may obligate funds apportioned to it under
sections 104(b)(1), (3), and (4) and 144(e) of this title for
surface transportation workforce development, training and
education, including--
``(A) tuition and direct educational expenses,
excluding salaries, in connection with the education
and training of employees of State and local
transportation agencies;
``(B) employee professional development;
``(C) student internships; or
``(D) education outreach activities to develop
interest and promote participation in surface
transportation careers.
``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of
activities carried out in accordance with this subsection shall
be 100 percent.''.
(d) Definitions and Declaration of Policy.--Section 101(a) of title
23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by--
(A) striking ``and'' after subparagraph (G);
(B) striking the period after subparagraph (H) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) adding after subparagraph (H) the following:
``(I) surface transportation workforce development,
training, and education.'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (34) through (37) as
paragraphs (35) through (38) respectively; and
(3) by adding after paragraph (33), as redesignated by this
Act, the following:
``(34) Surface transportation workforce development,
training, and education.--The term `surface transportation
workforce development, training, and education' means
activities associated with surface transportation career
awareness, student transportation career preparation, and
training and professional development for surface
transportation workers, including activities for women and
minorities.''.
(e) Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education
Program.--Section 504 of title 23, United States Code, as amended by
this section, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(e) Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education
Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the
Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education
Program to improve the preparation of students, particularly
women and minorities, in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics through curriculum development and other activities
related to transportation.
``(2) Authorized activities.--The Secretary shall award
grants under this subsection on the basis of competitive, peer
review. Grants awarded under this subsection may be used for
enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at
the elementary and secondary school level through such means
as--
``(A) internships that offer students experience in
the transportation field;
``(B) programs that allow students to spend time
observing scientists and engineers in the
transportation field; and
``(C) developing relevant curriculum that uses
examples and problems related to transportation.
``(3) Application and review procedures.--
``(A) In general.--An entity described in
subparagraph (C) seeking funding under this subsection
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require. Such application, at a
minimum, shall include a description of how the funds
will be used and a description of how the funds will be
used to serve the purposes described in paragraph (2).
``(B) Priority.--In making awards under this
subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to
applicants that will encourage the participation of
women and minorities.
``(C) Eligibility.--Local education agencies and
State education agencies, which may partner with
institutions of higher education, businesses, or other
entities, shall be eligible to apply for grants under
this subsection.
``(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
``(A) the term `institution of higher education'
has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
``(B) the term `local educational agency' has the
meaning given that term in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801); and
``(C) the term `State educational agency' has the
meaning given that term in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Transportation to carry out this subsection $500,000 for fiscal
year 2006 and such sums as may be necessary thereafter.''.
SEC. 107. BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.
Section 111 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 111. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Transportation a Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
``(b) Director.--
``(1) Appointment.--The Bureau shall be headed by a
Director who shall be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate.
``(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.
``(3) Reporting.--The Director shall report directly to the
Secretary.
``(4) Term.--The term of the Director shall be 5 years. The
Director may continue to serve after the expiration of the term
until a successor is appointed and confirmed.
``(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 administrations of the Department of
Transportation, States, local governments, metropolitan
planning organizations, and private sector entities.
``(5) Compiling transportation statistics.--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
(g);
``(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 for-hire
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, 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 of Transportation
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. The
Bureau shall review and report to the Secretary of
Transportation 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, and the
amendments made by such Act, and shall carry 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.
``(8) Making statistics accessible.--Making the statistics
published under this subsection readily accessible.
``(d) Information Needs Assessment.--
``(1) In general.--Within 60 days after the date of the
enactment of the Surface Transportation Research and
Development Act of 2005, the Secretary shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council to develop and
publish a National Transportation Information Needs Assessment.
The Assessment shall be transmitted to the Secretary and the
Congress not later than 24 months after such arrangement is
entered into.
``(2) Content.--The Assessment shall--
``(A) identify, in priority order, transportation
data that is not being collected by the Bureau,
Department of Transportation operating administrations,
or other Federal, State, or local entities, but is
needed to improve transportation decisionmaking at the
Federal, State, and local level 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 a
higher priority than data currently being collected;
``(C) identify any data the Bureau or other
Federal, State, and local entities 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, and local entities
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 6 months after
the National Research Council transmits the Needs Assessment
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit a report to
the Committee on Science and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, that
describes--
``(A) how the Department plans to fill the data
gaps identified under paragraph (2)(A);
``(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 Needs Assessment under
paragraph (1) with which the Secretary disagrees, and
why; and
``(F) any proposed statutory changes needed to
implement the findings if the Needs Assessment under
paragraph (1).
``(e) Intermodal Transportation Data Base.--
``(1) In general.--In consultation with the Under Secretary
for Policy, the Assistant Secretaries, and the heads of the
operating administrations of the Department of Transportation,
the Director shall establish and maintain a transportation data
base for all modes of transportation.
``(2) Use.--The data base shall be suitable for analyses
carried out by the Federal Government, the States, and
metropolitan planning organizations.
``(3) Contents.--The data base 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)(8).
``(3) Coordination.--The Director shall work with other
transportation libraries and other transportation information
providers, both public and private, to achieve the goal
specified in paragraph (2).
``(g) National Transportation Atlas Data Base.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall develop and maintain
geospatial data bases 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 data bases 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 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 his/her knowledge all
questions relating to the corporation, company, business, institution,
establishment, or other organization, or to records or statistics in
his/her official custody, contained in a data collection request
prepared and submitted as part of the collection of freight data, shall
be fined not more than $500; and if the individual willfully gives a
false answer to a question, 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 harmonize 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 national transportation
atlas data base under subsection (g) and the National Spatial
Data Infrastructure developed under Executive Order No. 12906.
``(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 of Transportation to collect and disseminate data
independently.
``(k) Prohibition on Certain Disclosures.--
``(1) In general.--An officer or employee 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) Prohibition on requests for certain data.--
``(A) Government agencies.--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) Courts.--Any 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
proceeding.
``(C) Applicability.--This paragraph shall apply
only to reports that permit information concerning an
individual or organization to be reasonably inferred by
direct or indirect means.
``(3) Data collected for nonstatistical purposes.--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 that is requested or required to supply the
data or information of the nonstatistical purpose.
``(l) Transportation Statistics Annual Report.--The Director shall
transmit 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) 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.
``(n) Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Director of the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics shall establish an Advisory Council
on Transportation Statistics.
``(2) Function.--It shall be the function of the Advisory
Council established under this subsection to--
``(A) advise the Director of the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics on the quality, reliability,
consistency, objectivity, and relevance of
transportation statistics and analyses collected,
supported, or disseminated by the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics and the Department of
Transportation;
``(B) provide input to and review the report to
Congress under subsection (d)(4); and
``(C) advise the Director on methods to encourage
harmonization and interoperability of transportation
data collected by the Bureau, the operating
administrations of the Department of Transportation,
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 15 members
appointed by the Director, who are not officers or employees of
the United States, including--
``(A) 2 members with specific expertise in
economics;
``(B) 3 members with expertise in statistics; and
``(C) additional members with expertise in
transportation statistics, analysis, or policy.
Members shall include representatives of a cross-section of
transportation community stakeholders.
``(4) Terms of appointment.--(A) Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), members shall be appointed to staggered terms
not to exceed 3 years. A member may be renominated for one
additional 3-year term.
``(B) Members serving on the Advisory Council on
Transportation Statistics as of the date of enactment of the
Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005
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 the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to
such Advisory Council.''.
SEC. 108. STATE PLANNING AND RESEARCH.
Section 505 of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 505. State planning and research
``(a) In General.--Two and a half percent of the sums apportioned
to a State for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter under
section 104 (other than subsections (f) and (h)) and under sections 105
and 144 shall be available for expenditure by the State, in
consultation with the Secretary, only for the following purposes:
``(1) Engineering and economic surveys and investigations.
``(2) The planning of future highway programs and local
public transportation systems, the planning of the financing of
such programs and systems, including metropolitan and Statewide
planning under sections 134 and 135, freight planning, safety
planning, transportation systems management and operations
planning, transportation-related land use planning, and
transportation-related growth management activities within
these planning processes, and planning capacity building
activities.
``(3) Development and implementation of infrastructure
management and traffic monitoring systems, and for asset
management.
``(4) Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of
highway, local public transportation, bicycle, and pedestrian
systems and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation of
their use.
``(5) Research, development, and technology transfer
activities necessary in connection with the planning, design,
construction, management, maintenance, regulation, and taxation
of the use of highway, local public transportation, and
intermodal transportation systems, including innovative
techniques for ensuring representative public input (e.g.
deliberative polling).
``(6) Research on the effects of design standards on
intermodal coordination, such as the highway-rail interface,
and on safe pedestrian access to transit on arterial roads and
urban highways.
``(7) Study, research and development, and training on the
engineering standards and construction materials, including
accreditation of inspection and testing, for highway, local
public transportation, bicycle, pedestrian, and intermodal
transportation systems.
``(b) Minimum Expenditures on Research, Development, and Technology
Transfer Activities.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), not less than
25 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a)
to a State for a fiscal year shall be expended by the State for
research, development, and technology transfer activities
described in subsection (a), relating to highway, public
transportation, bicycle, pedestrian, and intermodal
transportation systems.
``(2) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive the application of
paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year if the
State certifies to the Secretary for the fiscal year that the
funds described in paragraph (1) are not needed for research,
development, and technology transfer and the Secretary accepts
such certification.
``(3) Nonapplicability of assessment.--Funds expended under
paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be part of the
extramural budget of the agency for the purpose of section 9 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
``(c) Minimum Expenditures for Improving the Quality of Collection
and Reporting of Strategic Surface Transportation Data.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), not less than
10 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a)
for a fiscal year to a State shall be expended by the State to
improve the collection and reporting of strategic surface
transportation data to provide critical information about the
extent, condition, use, performance, and financing of the
Nation's surface transportation system (including intermodal
connectors) for passenger and freight movement.
``(2) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive the application of
paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year if the
State certifies to the Secretary for the fiscal year that the
State is collecting and reporting strategic data consistent
with quality assurance guidelines developed cooperatively with
the States and the Secretary approves such certification.
``(d) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project
carried out using funds subject to subsection (a) shall be matched in
accordance with section 120(b) unless the Secretary determines that the
interests of the surface transportation program would be best served
without such matching.''.
SEC. 109. FUTURE STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Amendment.--Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 509. Future Strategic Highway Research Program
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
shall establish and support a grant program to be known as the Future
Strategic Highway Research Program.
``(b) Program.--The program established under this section shall
implement the Transportation Research Board Special Report 260,
entitled `Strategic Highway Research: Saving Lives, Reducing
Congestion, Improving Quality of Life', which included the following
research areas:
``(1) Accelerating the renewal of America's highways.
``(2) Making a significant improvement in highway safety.
``(3) Providing a highway system with reliable travel
times.
``(4) Providing highway capacity in support of the Nation's
economic, environmental, multi-modal transportation, and social
goals.
``(c) Administration.--The Secretary shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council to administer the
program established under subsection (a).
``(d) Period of Availability.--Funds set aside to carry out this
section shall remain available for the fiscal year for which such funds
are made available and the three succeeding fiscal years.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation from the Highway Trust
Fund, for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010, $75,000,000 to carry
out this section.
``(f) Program Administration.--In carrying out the program under
this section, the Secretary, through the agreement with the National
Research Council, shall ensure that the selection of awards shall be
based on open competition and peer review, and that a balanced group of
stakeholders is represented on all committees and panels established to
implement the program. Proposals that involve partnerships and include
significant matching funds shall be encouraged, although no matching
funds are required.
``(g) Programmatic Evaluations.--Within 3 years after the first
research and development project grants, cooperative agreements, or
contracts are awarded under this section, the Comptroller General shall
review the program under this section, and recommend improvements. The
review shall assess the degree to which projects funded under this
section have addressed the research and development topics identified
in the Transportation Research Board Special Report 260, including
identifying those topics which have not yet been addressed.
``(h) Annual Progress and Performance Report.--The National
Research Council shall produce an annual progress and performance
report for the program under this section. The report shall summarize
the status, funding, and sponsors of all funded projects by the
research and development areas specified in subsection (b). The report
shall be submitted to the Secretary, to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives, and to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
of the Senate.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 5 of title 23,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``509. Future strategic highway research program.''.
SEC. 110. UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.
Section 5505 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 5505. University transportation research
``(a) Regional Centers.--The Secretary of Transportation shall make
grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish and
operate 1 university transportation center in each of the 10 United
States Government regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regional
Boundary System.
``(b) Other Centers.--The Secretary shall make 16 grants to
nonprofit institutions of higher learning, in addition to grants made
under subsection (a), to establish and operate university
transportation centers.
``(c) Role of Centers.--The role of each center shall be to address
transportation management and research and development matters, with
special attention to increasing the number of highly skilled
individuals entering the field of transportation.
``(d) Selection of Grant Recipients.--
``(1) Applications.--In order to be eligible to receive a
grant under this section, 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) Selection criteria.--Except as otherwise provided by
this section, the Secretary shall select each recipient of a
grant under this section through an open competition, peer-
reviewed process on the basis of the following:
``(A) The capability of the recipient to provide
leadership in making national and regional
contributions to the solution of immediate and long-
range transportation problems.
``(B) The recipient's establishment of a surface
transportation program by the date of the award, which
encompasses several modes of transportation.
``(C) The recipient's demonstrated ability to
disseminate results of transportation research and
education programs through a statewide or regionwide
continuing education program.
``(D) The strategic plan the recipient proposes to
carry out under the grant.
``(e) Objectives.--The Secretary shall ensure that each university
transportation center receiving a grant under this section shall
conduct the following programs and activities:
``(1) Basic and applied research and development that
supports the Department's research and development agenda
consistent with section 508 of title 23.
``(2) An education program that includes multidisciplinary
course work, faculty and student participation in research and
development, and an opportunity for practical experience.
``(3) An ongoing program of technology transfer that makes
research and development results available to potential users
in a form that can be implemented, utilized, or otherwise
applied.
``(f) Maintenance of Effort.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an applicant shall--
``(1) enter into an agreement with the Secretary to ensure
that the applicant will maintain total expenditures from all
other sources to establish and operate a university
transportation center and related educational and research and
development activities at a level that is at least equal to the
average level of those expenditures during the 2 fiscal years
before the date on which the grant is provided;
``(2) submit to the Secretary an annual report on the
projects and activities of the university transportation center
for which funds are made available for the fiscal year covered
by the report, a description of--
``(A) the educational activities carried out by the
center (including a detailed summary of the budget for
those educational activities);
``(B) each research and development project carried
out by the center, including--
``(i) the identity of the principal
investigator working on a research and
development project; and
``(ii) the overall funding amount for each
research and development project (including the
amounts expended for the project as of the date
of the report); and
``(C) overall technology transfer and
implementation efforts of the center; and
``(3) make use of National Research Council, Transportation
Research Board, and Transportation Research Information
Services online databases for--
``(A) program development and strategic planning;
``(B) reporting of activities funded under this
section; and
``(C) input and dissemination of results and
reports from completed research and development.
``(g) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the costs of activities
carried out using a grant made under subsection (a) is 80 percent of
costs, and under subsection (b) is 50 percent of costs. The non-Federal
share may include funds provided to a recipient under section 503,
504(b), or 505 of title 23, United States Code.
``(h) Program Coordination.--
``(1) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate the
research and development, education, training, and technology
transfer activities that grant recipients carry out under this
section.
``(2) Annual review and evaluation.--At least annually and
consistent with the plan developed by the recipient under
subsection (f)(2), the Secretary shall review and evaluate
programs the grant recipients carry out.
``(3) Funding limitation.--The Secretary may use not more
than 1 percent of amounts made available from Government
sources to carry out this subsection.
``(i) Limitation on Availability of Funds.--Funds made available to
carry out this program shall remain available for obligation for a
period of 2 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which such
funds are authorized.
``(j) Transportation Education Development Pilot Program.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
program to make grants to institutions of higher education that
in partnership with industry or State Departments of
Transportation will develop, test, and revise new curricula and
education programs to train individuals at all levels of the
transportation workforce.
``(2) Selection of grant recipients.--In selecting
applications for awards under this subsection, the Secretary
shall consider--
``(A) the degree to which the new curricula or
education program meets the specific needs of a segment
of the transportation industry, States, or regions;
``(B) providing for practical experience and on-
the-job training;
``(C) proposals oriented toward practitioners in
the field rather than the support and growth of the
research community;
``(D) the degree to which the new curricula or
program will provide training in areas other than
engineering, such as business administration,
economics, information technology, environmental
science, and law;
``(E) programs or curricula in nontraditional
departments which train professionals for work in the
transportation field, such as materials, information
technology, environmental science, urban planning, and
industrial technology; and
``(F) industry or a State's Department of
Transportation commitment to the program.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--From amounts
authorized under section 101(b)(4) of the Surface
Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005 for
carrying out this section, for each of fiscal years 2005, 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, there shall be available for
carrying out this subsection $4,500,000.
``(4) Limitations.--No individual grant under this
subsection shall exceed $750,000 per year. After a recipient
has received 3 years of Federal funding under this subsection,
Federal funding may equal no more than 75 percent of a
grantee's program costs.
``(k) National Transportation Security Centers.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish not
more than 4 National Transportation Security Centers at
institutions of higher education to conduct research,
education, and professional training on all aspects of surface
transportation security, with emphasis on utilization of
intelligent transportation systems, technologies, and
architectures.
``(2) Selection criteria.--The Secretary shall make grants
using a competitive peer-reviewed procedure that gives priority
to--
``(A) institutions with a commitment to
transportation security issues;
``(B) proposals that include partnerships with
other institutions of higher education, federally
funded research and development centers, or other
nonprofit laboratories;
``(C) proposals to conduct both practical and
theoretical research and technical systems analysis;
and
``(D) proposals to develop professional training
programs.''.
SEC. 111. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.
(a) Amendment.--Subtitle C of title V of the Transportation Equity
Act for the 21st Century is amended to read as follows:
``Subtitle C--Intelligent Transportation Systems
``SEC. 5201. SHORT TITLE.
``This subtitle may be cited as the `Intelligent Transportation
Systems Act of 2005'.
``SEC. 5202. GOALS AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Goals.--The goals of the intelligent transportation system
program include--
``(1) enhancement of surface transportation efficiency and
facilitation of intermodalism and international trade to enable
existing facilities to meet a significant portion of future
transportation needs, including public access to employment,
goods, and services, and to reduce regulatory, financial, and
other transaction costs to public agencies and system users;
``(2) achievement of national transportation safety goals,
including the enhancement of safe operation of motor vehicles
and nonmotorized vehicles, with particular emphasis on
decreasing the number and severity of collisions;
``(3) protection and enhancement of the natural environment
and communities affected by surface transportation, with
particular emphasis on assisting State and local governments to
achieve national environmental goals;
``(4) accommodation of the needs of all users of surface
transportation systems, including operators of commercial
vehicles, passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles, and
including pedestrians and individuals with disabilities; and
``(5) improvement of the Nation's ability to respond to
security related or other man-made emergencies and natural
disasters, and enhancement of national defense mobility.
``(b) Purposes.--The Secretary shall implement activities under the
intelligent transportation system program to, at a minimum--
``(1) develop and test emerging technologies to meet the
goals described in subsection (a);
``(2) expedite deployment and ensure integration and
interoperability of proven intelligent transportation systems;
``(3) analyze the likelihood of utilization of intelligent
transportation system technologies by the intended user
community;
``(4) ensure that Federal, State, and local transportation
officials have adequate knowledge of intelligent transportation
systems for full consideration in the transportation planning
process;
``(5) improve regional cooperation and operations planning
for effective intelligent transportation system deployment;
``(6) promote the innovative use of private resources;
``(7) develop a workforce capable of developing, operating,
and maintaining intelligent transportation systems; and
``(8) evaluate costs and benefits of intelligent
transportation systems projects.
``SEC. 5203. GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.
``(a) Scope.--Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, the
Secretary shall conduct an ongoing intelligent transportation system
program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent
transportation systems and advance nationwide deployment of proven
systems through research on barriers to deployment as a component of
the surface transportation systems of the United States.
``(b) Policy.--Intelligent transportation system research,
development, operational tests, and deployment projects funded pursuant
to this subtitle shall encourage and not displace public-private
partnerships or private sector investment in such research and
development tests and projects.
``(c) Cooperation With Governmental, Private, and Educational
Entities.--The Secretary shall carry out the intelligent transportation
system program in cooperation with State and local governments and
other public entities, the United States private sector, federally
funded research and development centers, and colleges and universities,
including historically black colleges and universities and other
minority institutions of higher education.
``(d) Consultation With Federal Officials.--In carrying out the
intelligent transportation system program, the Secretary, as
appropriate, may consult with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary
of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the National
Science Foundation, and the heads of other Federal departments and
agencies.
``(e) Technical Assistance, Training, and Information.--The
Secretary shall provide technical assistance, training, and information
to State and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain,
or evaluate intelligent transportation system technologies and
services.
``(f) Transportation Planning.--The Secretary may provide funding
to support adequate consideration of transportation system management
and operations within metropolitan and statewide transportation
planning processes.
``(g) Information Clearinghouse.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) maintain a repository for technical and
safety data collected as a result of federally
sponsored projects carried out under this subtitle; and
``(B) make that information (except for proprietary
information and data) readily available to all users of
the repository.
``(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 delegates responsibility under subparagraph
(A), the entity to which the responsibility is
delegated shall be eligible for Federal financial
assistance under this section.
``(h) Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an
Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on carrying out this
subtitle.
``(2) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall have no
more than 20 members, be balanced between metropolitan and
rural interests, and include, at a minimum--
``(A) a representative from a State highway
department;
``(B) a representative from a local highway
department who is not from a metropolitan planning
organization;
``(C) a representative from a State, local, or
regional transit agency;
``(D) a representative from a metropolitan planning
organization;
``(E) a private sector user of intelligent
transportation system technologies;
``(F) an academic researcher with expertise in
computer science or another information science field
related to intelligent transportation systems, and who
is not an expert on transportation issues;
``(G) an academic researcher who is a civil
engineer;
``(H) an academic researcher who is a social
scientist with expertise in transportation issues;
``(I) a representative from a not-for-profit 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.
``(B) Review, at least annually, areas of
intelligent transportation systems research being
considered for funding by the Department, to
determine--
``(i) whether these activities are likely
to advance either the state-of-the-practice or
state-of-the-art in intelligent transportation
systems;
``(ii) whether the intelligent
transportation system technologies are likely
to be deployed by users, and, if not, to
determine the barriers to deployment; and
``(iii) the appropriate roles for
government and the private sector in investing
in the research and technologies being
considered.
``(4) Report.--Not later than February 1 of each year after
the date of enactment of the Surface Transportation Research
and Development Act of 2005, the Secretary shall transmit to
the Committee on Science and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, 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) Evaluations.--
``(1) Guidelines and requirements.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall issue
guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of
operational tests and model deployment projects carried
out under this subtitle.
``(B) Content.--Such evaluations shall include
specific, quantitative measures to determine whether a
technology is meeting its intended goal. To the maximum
extent practicable, these measures shall evaluate the
outcome of the technology (such as accidents avoided or
decreased travel times or travel time variability).
``(C) Objectivity and independence.--The guidelines
and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall
include provisions to ensure the objectivity and
independence of the evaluator so as to avoid any real
or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence
on the outcome by parties to any such test or
deployment project or by any other formal evaluation
carried out under this subtitle.
``(D) Funding.--The guidelines and requirements
issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish
evaluation funding levels, based on the size and scope
of each test or project, that ensure adequate
evaluation of the results of the test or project.
``(E) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall make
readily available through the Internet all information
collected through evaluations carried out under this
subsection.
``(2) Special rule.--Any survey, questionnaire, or
interview that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out
the evaluation of any test, deployment project, or program
assessment activity under this subtitle shall not be subject to
chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code.
``SEC. 5204. USING INFORMATION FROM INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.
``(a) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare a report assessing the
value of current and anticipated data collected from intelligent
transportation system technologies to determine whether and how that
data should be used for real-time traffic management, planning,
performance monitoring, program assessment, and policy applications.
``(b) Assessment.--In preparing the report under subsection (a),
the Secretary should assess--
``(1) the extent to which data should be centralized
nationally in support of national planning and goals, what
information should be aggregated regionally, and what
information should be kept locally;
``(2) the need for data standards;
``(3) public and private data sources other than
intelligent transportation system data sources (such as roadway
characteristics inventories and incident information) that,
combined with intelligent transportation system data, would
enhance the utility of intelligent transportation system data
to decisionmakers, and how these data sources can be merged;
and
``(4) how to make data accessible to users.
``(c) Consultation.--In developing the strategy under this section,
the Secretary shall consult with the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics and the advisory committee established under section
5203(h).
``(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall transmit to the
Committee on Science and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the report developed under
this section.
``SEC. 5205. 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) Goal.--The goal of the national architecture and
standards shall be to ensure, whenever it is appropriate,
interoperability among, and efficiency of, intelligent
transportation system technologies implemented throughout the
United States.
``(3) Use of standards development organizations.--In
carrying out this section, the Secretary may use the services
of such standards development organizations as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(4) Standard validation.--The Secretary shall ensure that
new standards promulgated for intelligent transportation system
technologies that are funded by the Department are tested and
validated, whenever it is appropriate, and shall ensure that
the results of such testing and validation are made publicly
available.
``(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)(1) and (2), the
Secretary may establish a provisional standard after
consultation with affected parties, and using, to the extent
practicable, the work product of appropriate standards
development organizations.
``(2) 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 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 and development objectives outlined in the
National ITS 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 the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century, if the Secretary determines that the upgrade
or expansion--
``(i) would not adversely affect the goals
or purposes of this subtitle;
``(ii) is carried out before the end of the
useful life of such system; and
``(iii) is cost-effective as compared to
alternatives that would meet the conformity
requirement of paragraph (1).
``(3) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds
used for operation or maintenance of an intelligent
transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of
the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
``SEC. 5206. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a comprehensive
program of research, development, and operational tests of intelligent
vehicles and intelligent infrastructure systems, as well as research
into barriers to their deployment, and other similar activities that
are necessary to carry out this subtitle.
``(b) Priority Areas.--Under the program, the Secretary shall give
higher priority to funding projects that--
``(1) are aimed at reducing congestion and improving
mobility and efficiency;
``(2) are aimed at improving safety;
``(3) are aimed at improving security by focusing on
responding to security-related emergencies, and preventing such
emergencies;
``(4) incorporate human factors research, including the
science of the driving process;
``(5) develop methods to address nontechnical barriers to
the deployment of intelligent transportation system
technologies, and the best ways to develop partnerships to
successfully deploy intelligent transportation system
technologies;
``(6) facilitate the integration of intelligent
infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies;
``(7) incorporate research on the impact of environmental,
weather, and natural conditions on intelligent transportation
systems, including the effects of cold climates;
``(8) utilize interdisciplinary approaches to develop
traffic management strategies and tools to address multiple
impacts of congestion concurrently;
``(9) are aimed at improving the efficiency of goods
movement, such as through real-time tracking and management; or
``(10) facilitate high-performance transportation systems,
through methods such as congestion pricing, real-time facility
management, rapid emergency response, and just-in-time transit.
``(c) Operational Tests.--Operational tests shall be used to
evaluate promising technologies that have not yet been demonstrated.
Operational tests conducted under this section shall be designed for
the collection of data to permit objective evaluation of the results of
the tests, derivation of cost-benefit information that is useful to
others contemplating deployment of similar systems, and development and
implementation of standards.
``(d) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of operational
tests and demonstrations under subsection (a) shall not exceed 80
percent.
``SEC. 5207. USE OF FUNDS.
``(a) Congestion Reduction.--At least \1/3\ of funds made available
under section 5206 for intelligent transportation systems research and
development shall be used to research, develop, and operationally test
technologies whose primary purpose is to reduce congestion.
``(b) Outreach and Public Relations Limitation.--
``(1) In general.--For each fiscal year, not more than
$5,000,000 of the funds made available to carry out this
subtitle shall be used for intelligent transportation system
outreach, public relations, displays, scholarships, tours, and
brochures.
``(2) Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to
intelligent transportation system training or the publication
or distribution of research findings, technical guidance, or
similar documents.
``(c) 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 transit
infrastructure unless the construction is incidental and
critically necessary to the implementation of an intelligent
transportation system project.
``SEC. 5208. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
``(1) Intelligent transportation infrastructure.--The term
`intelligent transportation infrastructure' means fully
integrated public sector intelligent transportation system
components, as defined by the Secretary.
``(2) Intelligent transportation system.--The term
`intelligent transportation system' means electronics,
communications, or information processing used singly or in
combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface
transportation system.
``(3) National architecture.--The term `national
architecture' means the common framework for interoperability
adopted by the Secretary that defines--
``(A) the functions associated with intelligent
transportation system user services;
``(B) the physical entities or subsystems within
which the functions reside;
``(C) the data interfaces and information flows
between physical subsystems; and
``(D) the communications requirements associated
with the information flows.
``(4) 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.
``(5) State.--The term `State' has the meaning given the
term under section 101 of title 23, United States Code.''.
(b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The items relating to subtitle C
of title V in the table of contents of the Transportation Equity Act
for the 21st Century are amended to read as follows:
``Subtitle C--Intelligent Transportation Systems
``Sec. 5201. Short title.
``Sec. 5202. Goals and purposes.
``Sec. 5203. General authorities and requirements.
``Sec. 5204. Using information from intelligent transportation systems.
``Sec. 5205. National architecture and standards.
``Sec. 5206. Research and development.
``Sec. 5207. Use of funds.
``Sec. 5208. Definitions.''.
TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Transit Research and Development.--There are authorized to be
appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund to the Secretary of
Transportation to carry out sections 5312, 5313, 5314, 5315, and 5322
of title 49, United States Code, and section 202 of this Act, relating
to research and development, such sums as may be necessary for each of
the fiscal years 2005 through 2010.
(b) Highway Safety Research and Development.--There are authorized
to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund to the Secretary of
Transportation to carry out section 403 of title 23, United States
Code, relating to research and development, such sums as may be
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2010.
(c) Motor Carrier Research and Development.--There are authorized
to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund to the Secretary of
Transportation to carry out section 31108 of title 49, United States
Code, relating to research and development, such sums as may be
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2010.
SEC. 202. INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES DEMONSTRATION AND
DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish
an Innovative Practices and Technologies Demonstration and Deployment
Program.
(b) Program Goals.--The goals of the program are to--
(1) demonstrate promising new transit practices and
technologies, including new business models for managing and
operating transit systems, that may increase ridership,
increase accessibility, reduce cost, improve customer
satisfaction, and improve safety;
(2) evaluate, refine, and document the performance,
benefits, and costs of innovative transit practices and
technologies; and
(3) effectively disseminate information to accelerate
deployment of innovative transit practices and technologies.
(c) Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Contracts.--The Secretary
may make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts
with, transit agencies, States, other Federal agencies, universities
and colleges, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations to
pay the Federal share of the cost of demonstration and deployment
projects concerning innovative practices and technologies.
(d) Applications.--To receive a grant, cooperative agreement, or
contract under this section, an entity described in subsection (c)
shall submit an application to the Secretary. The application shall be
in such form and contain such information as the Secretary may require.
The Secretary shall select and approve the applications through an open
competition based on the following criteria:
(1) Whether the project meets the goals of the program.
(2) Peer review of the proposal.
(3) The likelihood that the project will result in more
widespread deployment of the practice or technology being
proposed.
(4) Preference shall be given to an application that
represents a public-private partnership.
(e) Technology and Information Transfer.--The Secretary shall
ensure that information about innovative practices and technologies
supported under this section is made available to transit agencies,
State and local transportation departments, and other interested
parties. Information disseminated under this subsection shall include
both the costs and benefits of deploying an innovative practice or
technology, and shall document--
(1) best practices for adopting successful practices or
technologies; and
(2) the transferability of these practices and
technologies.
(f) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project
under this section shall be determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 203. NATIONAL TRANSIT INSTITUTE.
Section 5315 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``public mass transportation'' and
inserting ``public transportation'';
(B) by striking ``mass'' after ``Government-aid''
and inserting ``public''; and
(C) in paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (10) by
striking ``mass'' each place it appears before
``transportation'' and inserting ``public''; and
(2) in subsection (d) by striking ``mass'' each place it
appears.
SEC. 204. HUMAN RESOURCE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Section 5322 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the beginning
of the first sentence of the section; and
(2) by adding the following at the end:
``(b) Grants to Higher Learning Institutions.--
``(1) The Secretary (or the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development when required by section 5334(i) of this title) may
make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning--
``(A) to conduct competent research and development
and investigations into the theoretical or practical
problems of urban transportation; and
``(B) to train individuals to conduct further
research and development or obtain employment in an
organization that plans, builds, operates, or manages
an urban transportation system.
``(2) Research and investigations under this subsection
include--
``(A) the design and use of urban public
transportation systems and urban roads and highways;
``(B) the interrelationship between various modes
of urban and interurban transportation;
``(C) the role of transportation planning in
overall urban planning;
``(D) public preferences in transportation;
``(E) the economic allocation of transportation
resources; and
``(F) the legal, financial, engineering, and
esthetic aspects of urban transportation.
``(3) When making a grant under this subsection, the
Secretary shall give preference to an institution that brings
together knowledge and expertise in the various social science
and technical disciplines related to urban transportation
problems.
``(c) Fellowships.--
``(1) The Secretary may make grants to States, local
governmental authorities, and operators of public
transportation systems to provide fellowships to train
personnel employed in managerial, technical, and professional
positions in the mass transportation field.
``(2) A fellowship under this subsection may be for not
more than one year of training in an institution that offers a
program applicable to the public transportation industry. The
recipient of the grant shall select an individual on the basis
of demonstrated ability and for the contribution the individual
reasonably can be expected to make to an efficient public
transportation operation. A grant for a fellowship may not be
more than the lesser of $65,000 or 75 percent of--
``(A) tuition and other charges to the fellowship
recipient;
``(B) additional costs incurred by the training
institution and billed to the grant recipient; and
``(C) the regular salary of the fellowship
recipient for the period of the fellowship to the
extent the salary is actually paid or reimbursed by the
grant recipient.
``(d) Other Grants.--The Secretary may make grants to State and
local governmental authorities for projects that will use innovative
techniques and methods in managing and providing public
transportation.''.
SEC. 205. HIGHWAY SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 403(a) (Authority of the Secretary) of title 23, United
States Code, is amended by adding the following paragraphs at the end:
``(4) Emergency medical services.--In addition to the
authority provided under this subsection, the Secretary is
authorized to use funds appropriated to carry out this section
to enhance coordination among Federal agencies involved with
State, local, tribal, and community-based emergency medical
services. In exercising this authority, the Secretary may
coordinate with State and local governments, the Bureau of
Indian Affairs on behalf of Indian tribes, private industry,
and other interested parties; collect and exchange emergency
medical services data and information; examine emergency
medical services needs, best practices, and related technology;
and develop emergency medical services standards and
guidelines, and plans for the assessment of emergency medical
services systems.
``(5) International cooperation.--In addition to the
authority provided under this subsection, the Secretary is
authorized to use funds appropriated to carry out this section
to participate and cooperate in international activities to
enhance highway safety by such means as exchanging safety
information; conducting safety research and development; and
examining safety needs, best practices, and new technology.
``(6) National motor vehicle crash causation survey.--In
addition to the authority provided under this subsection, the
Secretary is authorized to use funds appropriated to carry out
this section to develop and conduct a nationally representative
survey to collect on-scene motor vehicle crash causation
data.''.
SEC. 206. MOTOR CARRIER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title 49, United States Code, is amended by
repealing section 31108 and inserting the following new section, to
read as follows:
``Sec. 31108. Motor carrier research and development program
``(a) Research, Development, and Technology Transfer Activities.--
``(1) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish and
carry out a motor carrier research and development program. The
Secretary may carry out research, development, technology, and
technology transfer activities with respect to--
``(A) the causes of accidents, injuries and
fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles; and
``(B) means of reducing the number and severity of
accidents, injuries and fatalities involving commercial
motor vehicles.
``(2) The Secretary may test, develop, or assist in testing
and developing any material, invention, patented article, or
process related to the research and development program.
``(3) The Secretary may use the funds appropriated to carry
out this section for training or education of commercial motor
vehicle safety personnel, including, but not limited to,
training in accident reconstruction and detection of controlled
substances or other contraband, and stolen cargo or vehicles.
``(4) The Secretary may carry out this section--
``(A) independently;
``(B) in cooperation with other Federal
departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and
federally funded research and development centers; or
``(C) by making grants to, or entering into
contracts or cooperative agreements with, any federally
funded research and development center, State agency,
authority, association, institution, for-profit or non-
profit corporation, organization, foreign country, or
person.
``(5) The Secretary shall use funds made available to carry
out this section to develop, administer, communicate, and
promote the use of products of research, technology, and
technology transfer programs under this section.
``(b) Collaborative Research and Development.--
``(1) To advance innovative solutions to problems involving
commercial motor vehicle and motor carrier safety, security,
and efficiency, and to stimulate the deployment of emerging
technology, the Secretary may carry out, on a cost-shared
basis, collaborative research and development with--
``(A) non-Federal entities, including State and
local governments, foreign governments, colleges and
universities, corporations, institutions, partnerships,
and sole proprietorships that are incorporated or
established under the laws of any State; and
``(B) federally funded research and development
centers.
``(2) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may
enter into cooperative research and development agreements (as
defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)).
``(3) (A) The Federal share of the cost of activities
carried out under a cooperative research and development
agreement entered into under this subsection shall not exceed
50 percent, except that if there is substantial public interest
or benefit, the Secretary may approve a greater Federal share.
``(B) All costs directly incurred by the non-Federal
partners, including personnel, travel, and hardware or software
development costs, shall be credited toward the non-Federal
share of the cost of the activities described in subparagraph
(A).
``(4) The research, development, or use of a technology
under a cooperative research and development agreement entered
into under this subsection, including the terms under which the
technology may be licensed and the resulting royalties may be
distributed, shall be subject to the Stevenson-Wydler
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).
``(5) Section 3705 of title 41, United States Code, shall
not apply to a contract or agreement entered into under this
section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning
of chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by revising
the item relating to section 31108 to read as follows:
``31108. Motor carrier research and development program.''.
SEC. 207. TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT.
(a) In General.--As part of the National Climate Change Technology
Initiative and the Climate Change Research Initiative, the Secretary
shall establish and carry out a multimodal energy and climate change
program to study the relationship of transportation, energy, and
climate change.
(b) Contents.--The program to be carried out under this section
shall include, but not be limited to, research and development designed
to--
(1) identify, develop and evaluate strategies to improve
energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
transportation sources; and
(2) identify and evaluate the potential effects of climate
changes on the Nation's transportation systems, and strategies
to address these effects.
(c) Project Selection.--Activities to be undertaken in this program
will be determined by an internal steering committee established by the
Secretary of Transportation. This intermodal committee shall include
representatives from the Office of the Secretary and operating
administrations within the Department of Transportation as designated
by the Secretary.
(d) Grants, Cooperative Agreements and Contracts.--The Secretary
may carry out this program independently or by making grants to, or
entering into contracts and cooperative agreements with, a Federal
agency, State agency, local agency, authority, association, nonprofit
or for-profit corporation, or institution of higher education.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, from the Highway Trust Fund and
the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, such sums as may be necessary for
each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010.
SEC. 208. NATIONAL COOPERATIVE FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 510. National cooperative freight transportation research and
development program
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and support a
national cooperative freight transportation research and development
program. The program shall focus on all forms of freight
transportation, including trucking and rail.
``(b) Agreement.--The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement
with the National Research Council to support and carry out
administrative and management activities relating to the governance of
the national cooperative freight transportation research and
development program.
``(c) Advisory Committee.--The National Research Council 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, the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials and other nonprofit entities
(including environmental groups), academia, and the private sector.
``(d) Governance.--The national cooperative freight transportation
research and development program established under this section shall
include the following administrative and management elements:
``(1) National research and development agenda.--The
advisory committee, in consultation with stakeholders, shall
recommend a national research and development agenda for the
national cooperative freight transportation research and
development program. The national research and development
agenda shall include a multi-year strategic plan.
``(2) Stakeholder involvement.--Stakeholders may--
``(A) submit research and development proposals to
the advisory committee;
``(B) participate in merit reviews of research and
development proposals and peer reviews of research and
development products; and
``(C) receive research and development results.
``(3) Open competition and peer review of research and
development proposals.--The National Research Council shall
award research and development contracts and grants through
open competition and peer review conducted on a regular basis.
``(4) Evaluation of research.--
``(A) Peer review.--Research and development
contracts and grants shall allow peer review of the
research and development results.
``(B) Programmatic evaluations.--The National
Research Council may conduct periodic programmatic
evaluations on a regular basis.
``(5) Dissemination of research findings.--The National
Research Council shall disseminate research and development
findings to researchers, practitioners, and decisionmakers.
``(e) Contents.--The national research and development agenda for
the national cooperative freight transportation research and
development program required under subsection (d)(1) may include
research and development 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 traffic to congestion on specific highway
segments.
``(3) The feasibility of freight villages as a means 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) Additional priorities to identify and address the
emerging and future research and development needs related to
freight transportation.
``(f) Funding.--
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of an
activity carried out using such funds shall be up to 100
percent, and such funds shall remain available until expended.
``(2) Use of non-federal funds.--In addition to using funds
authorized for this section, the National Research Council may
seek and accept additional funding sources from public and
private entities capable of accepting funding from the United
States Department of Transportation (Federal Highway
Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal
Railroad Administration, Research and Special Programs
Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration), states, local governments, nonprofit
foundations, and the private sector.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 5 of title 23,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``510. National cooperative freight transportation research and
development program.''.
SEC. 209. NEXT GENERATION NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY STUDY
COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment of Commission.--(1) The President shall
established a Commission to be known as the Next Generation National
Transportation Policy Study Commission, in this section referred to as
the ``Commission''.
(2) The Commission shall make a full and complete investigation and
study of the transportation needs and of the resources, requirements,
and policies of the United States to meet such expected needs. It shall
take into consideration all reports on national transportation policy
which have been submitted to Congress in the last decade, including all
reports referenced in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency
Act of 1991 and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. It
shall also take into consideration the changes in global trade and its
impact on the Nation's economy. It shall evaluate the relative merits
of all modes of transportation in meeting our Nation's transportation
needs. It shall take into account the link between transportation and
the natural environment. Based on such study, it shall recommend
changes to existing policies and any new policies that are most likely
to ensure that adequate multimodal transportation systems are in place
which will meet the needs for a safe and efficient movement of people
and goods and also support and grow the national economy.
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall be comprised of 16 members
appointed by the President from among individuals who are knowledgeable
in transportation activities, including individuals representing State
and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations,
transportation-related industries, academic and technical institutions,
and public interest organizations involved with scientific, regulatory,
economic, and environmental transportation activities. The membership
of the Commission shall be balanced geographically to the extent
consistent with maintaining the highest level of expertise on the
Commission. Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission
as follows:
(1) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 individuals who
shall be recommended by the majority leader of the Senate in
consultation with the Chairman of the Committee on Environment
and Public Works, and the Chairman of the Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the Chairman of the
Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
(2) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 individuals who
shall be recommended by the minority leader of the Senate in
consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on
Environment and Public Works, the ranking member of the
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the
ranking member of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban
Affairs of the Senate.
(3) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 individuals who
shall be recommended by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives in consultation with the Chairman of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Chairman of
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Chairman of the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives.
(4) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 individuals who
shall be recommended by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives in consultation with the ranking member of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the ranking
member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the ranking
member of the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives.
(5) Any vacancy which may occur on the Commission shall not
affect its powers or functions but shall be filled in the same
manner in which the original appointment was made.
(c) Final Report.--The Commission shall not later than December 31,
2007, submit to the President and Congress its final report including
its findings and recommendations. The Commission shall cease to exist
six months after submission of such report. All records and papers of
the Commission shall thereupon be delivered to the Archivist of the
United States for deposit in the Archives of the United States.
(d) Findings and Recommendations.--The final report shall include
the Commission's findings and recommendations with respect to the
following:
(1) The Nation's transportation needs, both national and
regional, through the year 2025.
(2) The ability of our current transportation systems to
meet the projected needs.
(3) The proper mix of transportation modes and necessary
linkages between modes to meet anticipated needs.
(4) Necessary measures and policies to ensure enhancement
and protection of the natural environment in transportation
decisionmaking.
(5) Short-term, medium-term, and long-term research,
development, and deployment to meet expected needs.
(6) The roles of the public and private sectors relative to
each mode and the balance between public and private
investment.
(7) The existing policies and programs of the Federal
Government which affect the development of our national
transportation system.
(8) The new policies required to develop a balanced
national transportation system which meets projected needs,
accommodates international trade and supports the national
economy.
(9) The adequacy of existing methods to finance
transportation and alternative new methods of financing.
(e) Specific Factors to Consider.--In developing its findings and
recommendations, the Commission shall address the following specific
factors:
(1) The role of transportation as a critical link to the
global economy and trade.
(2) A balance between the transportation of people and
goods.
(3) Improving operations and management of the
transportation system to improve efficiency, including asset
and information management.
(4) The need to address aging infrastructure.
(5) The need to address the enhancement and protection of
the natural environment.
(6) The need to address congestion in all modes.
(7) The need to improve environmental decisionmaking.
(8) A balance between the demand for transportation
reliability with new threats to security.
(9) Ways to eliminate barriers to transportation investment
created by the current modal structure of transportation
funding.
(10) Existing barriers to private investment in
transportation facilities including tax inequities between
modes.
(11) The adequacy of the Federal transportation trust funds
to finance future transportation needs.
(12) Appropriate measures of transportation need.
(13) The adequacy of integration among Federal programs
affecting transportation.
(14) The relationship between land use and transportation
infrastructure investment.
(15) The role that transportation plays in promoting
economic growth, improving the environment and sustaining the
quality of life.
(f) Recommendations on the Roles of Government.--The Commission
shall also make recommendations on the roles of the Federal and State
governments in--
(1) environmental review of transportation projects;
(2) the provision of intercity passenger rail services;
(3) financing transportation at international border
crossings;
(4) facilitating international goods movement to, from and
within the United States;
(5) ensuring consistency in data and communications links
for and between all modes;
(6) financing for each mode of transportation; and
(7) effectively using transportation networks to enhance
the quality of life, protect natural resources and promote
sustainable economic growth.
(g) Participation in Commission Activities.--
(1) Participation of federal agencies.--The Chairman of the
Commission shall request the head of each Federal department or
agency with an interest in or a responsibility for national
transportation policy to appoint a liaison who shall work
closely with the Committee and its staff. Such departments and
agencies shall include, but not be limited to, the Department
of Transportation, and each of its modal administrations,
Office of Management and Budget, Department of Energy,
Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection
Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of
Commerce, Department of the Treasury, Department of Defense,
Department of Agriculture, National Transportation Safety
Board, Surface Transportation Board, and Army Corps of
Engineers.
(2) Advice from public and private organizations.--In
carrying out its duties, the Commission shall seek the advice
of various groups interested in national transportation policy
including State and local governments, public and private
organizations in the fields of transportation and safety,
business, education, environment and labor, and the public.
(h) Hearings.--The Commission or, on the authorization of the
Commission, any Committee of two or more members may, for the purpose
of carrying out the provisions of this section, hold such hearings at
such times and places as the Commission or such authorized committee
may deem advisable.
(i) Compensation.--Members of Congress or other governmental
employees shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for
travel, per diem in accordance of the rules of the House of
Representatives and Senate, accordingly, or subsistence and other
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the duties vested in
the Commission.
(j) Commission Staff.--The Commission is authorized to appoint and
fix the compensation of a staff director and such additional personnel
as may be necessary to enable it to carry out its functions.
(k) Contracts.--The Commission is authorized to enter into
contracts or agreements for studies and surveys with public and private
organizations and, if necessary, to transfer funds to Federal agencies
from sums appropriated pursuant to this section to carry out such of
its duties as the Commission determines can best be carried our in the
that manner.
(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to
be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund to carry out this section
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
(2) Funds authorized by this subsection shall remain available
until expended.
SEC. 210. REAL-TIME SYSTEM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION PROGRAM.
(a) Goals and Purposes.--
(1) Goals.--The goals of the real-time system management
information program are to provide the nationwide capability to
monitor, in real-time, the traffic and travel conditions of our
Nation's major highways and to widely share that information to
improve the security of the surface transportation system,
address congestion problems, support improved response to
weather events, and facilitate national and regional traveler
information.
(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the real-time system
management information program are to--
(A) establish a nationwide system of basic real-
time information for managing and operating our surface
transportation system;
(B) identify longer range real-time highway and
transit monitoring needs and develop plans and
strategies for meeting those needs; and
(C) provide the capability and means to share that
data with state and local governments, and the
traveling public.
(b) Data Exchange Formats.--Within one year of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall establish data exchange formats to ensure that
the data provided by highway and transit monitoring systems, including
statewide incident reporting systems can readily be exchanged across
jurisdictional boundaries, facilitating nationwide availability of
information.
(c) Statewide Incident Reporting System.--Within 2 years of
enactment of this legislation, each State shall establish a statewide
incident reporting system.
(d) Regional Intelligent Transportation System Architecture.--
(1) As State and local governments develop or update their
regional ITS architectures, as specified in section 940.9 of
title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (Regional ITS
Architecture), they shall explicitly address their real-time
highway and transit information needs and the systems needed to
meet those needs. This specific incorporation of information
needs should address coverage, monitoring systems, data fusion
and archiving, and methods of exchanging or sharing this
information.
(2) States are encouraged to incorporate the data exchange
formats developed by the Secretary to ensure that the data
provided by highway and transit monitoring systems can readily
be exchanged across state and local governments, and with the
traveling public.
(e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``statewide incident
reporting system'' means a statewide system for facilitating the real-
time electronic reporting of incidents to a central location for use in
monitoring the event, providing accurate traveler information, and
responding to the incident as appropriate.
(f) Eligibility.--Subject to approval by the Secretary, a State may
obligate funds apportioned to it under sections 104(b)(1) and (3) and
505 of title 23, United States Code, for activities relating to the
planning of real-time monitoring elements.
SEC. 211. PLANNING CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE.
Section 104 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after subsection (l) the following:
``(m) Planning Capacity Building Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a planning
capacity building initiative to support enhancements in
transportation planning, in order to--
``(A) strengthen metropolitan and statewide
transportation planning under sections 134 and 135, and
under sections 5303 through 5305 of title 49;
``(B) enhance tribal capacity to conduct joint
transportation planning under chapter 2 of this title;
and
``(C) participate in the metropolitan and statewide
transportation planning programs under chapter 52 of
title 49.
``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to
planning practices and processes that support homeland security
planning, performance based planning, safety planning,
operations planning, freight planning, and integration of
environment and planning.
``(3) Use of funds.--Funds authorized for this program may
be used for research, program development, information
collection and dissemination, and technical assistance. The
Secretary may use these funds independently or make grants to,
or enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, a
Federal agency, State agency, local agency, federally
recognized Indian tribal government or tribal consortium,
authority, association, nonprofit or for-profit corporation, or
institution of higher education, to carry out the purposes of
this subsection.
``(4) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of an
activity carried out using such funds shall be up to 100
percent, and such funds shall remain available until expended.
``(5) Administration.--This initiative shall be
administered by the Federal Highway Administration in
cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration.
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of
fiscal years 2005 through 2010.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E33)
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines.
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