Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2021
This bill addresses provisions related to surface transportation research, development, and deployment programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Among other provisions, the bill
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3594 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3594
To authorize appropriations to the Department of Transportation for
surface transportation research, development, and deployment, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 28, 2021
Ms. Johnson of Texas (for herself, Mr. Lucas, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Waltz,
Mr. Baird, Mr. Lamb, Mrs. Kim of California, Ms. Wild, Mr. Obernolte,
Ms. Ross, Mrs. Bice of Oklahoma, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Gimenez,
Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Babin, and Ms. Sherrill) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, 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, development, and deployment, 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 2021''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Amendment to Highway Safety Improvement project definition.
Sec. 103. Behavioral traffic safety cooperative research program.
Sec. 104. Amendment to the exploratory advanced research program.
Sec. 105. Amendment to the State Planning and Research Program.
Sec. 106. Road weather centers of excellence.
TITLE II--MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 202. Advisory council on transportation statistics.
Sec. 203. Amendments to the University Transportation Centers Program.
Sec. 204. Resilient Transportation Infrastructure Centers of
Excellence.
Sec. 205. Transportation Data for Healthy Living Study Pilot.
Sec. 206. Vehicular Data Analytics Pilot Program.
Sec. 207. National cooperative freight transportation research program.
Sec. 208. Heavy Freight Automated Trucking Research Corridor.
Sec. 209. Strategic Transportation Research Program.
Sec. 210. Advanced transportation research and innovation program.
Sec. 211. Rail Cooperative Research Program.
Sec. 212. Multimodal Transportation Demonstration Program.
Sec. 213. Advisory Council on Transportation Research and Development.
Sec. 214. Transportation research and development quinquennial review
and strategic plan.
TITLE I--HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--The following amounts are authorized to be
appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit
Account):
(1) Highway safety research and development.--To carry out
section 403 of title 23, United States Code--
(A) $152,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(B) $161,880,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(C) $172,402,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(D) $183,608,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(E) $195,543,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(2) Highway research and development program.--To carry out
sections 503(b) and 520 of title 23, United States Code--
(A) $142,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(B) $151,230,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(C) $161,060,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(D) $171,530,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(E) $182,680,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(3) Technology and innovation deployment program.--To carry
out section 503(c) of title 23, United States Code--
(A) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(B) $74,550,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(C) $79,396,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(D) $84,556,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(E) $90,053,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(4) Advanced transportation and congestion management
technologies deployment program.--To carry out section
503(c)(4) of title 23, United States Code--
(A) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(B) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(C) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(E) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(5) Training and education.--To carry out section 504 of
title 23, United States Code--
(A) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(B) $28,755,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(C) $30,624,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(D) $32,615,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(E) $34,735,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(6) Intelligent transportation systems program.--To carry
out sections 512 through 518 of title 23, United States Code--
(A) $158,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(B) $168,270,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(C) $179,208,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(D) $190,856,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(E) $203,262,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(b) Applicability of Title 23, United States Code.--Funds
authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall--
(1) be available for obligation in the same manner as if
those funds were appropriated under chapter 1 of title 23,
United States Code, except that the Federal share of the cost
of a project or activity carried out using those funds shall be
80 percent, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act
(including the amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined
by the Secretary; and
(2) remain available until expended and not be
transferable.
SEC. 102. AMENDMENT TO HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT DEFINITION.
Section 148(a)(4)(B) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(xxix) Education.
``(xxx) Enforcement.
``(xxxi) Research activities.
``(xxxii) Cybersecurity.''.
SEC. 103. BEHAVIORAL TRAFFIC SAFETY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 403(f) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``$2,500,000'' and inserting
``$3,500,000''; and
(2) by striking ``fiscal year ending before'' and all that
follows through ``December 4, 2015'' and inserting ``of fiscal
years 2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 104. AMENDMENT TO THE EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 503(b)(6) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(6) Exploratory advanced research.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out
long-term, exploratory advanced research activities to
develop potentially transformational solutions to
improve the durability, efficiency, environmental
impact, productivity, and safety aspects of highway and
intermodal transportation systems, including by--
``(i) awarding competitive grants and
cooperative agreements to institutions of
higher education and nonprofit research
organizations (or consortia thereof);
``(ii) leveraging the targeted capabilities
of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
to develop technologies and innovations of
national importance; and
``(iii) collaborating with other Federal
agencies with relevant expertise, including the
National Science Foundation, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, and the
Department of Energy.
``(B) Funding.--From funds made available to carry
out this subsection, the Secretary shall obligate
$25,000,000 to carry out this paragraph for each of
fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
SEC. 105. AMENDMENT TO THE STATE PLANNING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 505(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(4) Flexibility.--In addition to the minimum expenditures
required under paragraph (1), of the sums apportioned to a
State under paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 104(b), a
State may use additional funds under such paragraphs for multi-
state pooled fund research activities.''.
SEC. 106. ROAD WEATHER CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.
Chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 520. ROAD WEATHER CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, and the National Science Foundation, as
appropriate, shall carry out a program to make awards to institutions
of higher education or nonprofit research organizations (or a
consortium thereof) to establish regional road weather research and
development centers.
``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the centers established using funds
under subsection (a) shall be to--
``(1) maximize use of available road weather information
and technologies;
``(2) expand road weather research and development efforts
to enhance roadway safety, mobility, and transportation system
efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts;
``(3) support research and development focused on improving
road weather information for automated vehicles and automated
transportation systems;
``(4) promoting the adoption of road weather information
and technologies by Federal, State, and local governments, and
private entities; and
``(5) foster collaboration among academic researchers, the
private sector, State and local governments, and
nongovernmental organizations, including transportation,
meteorological, and other organizations.
``(c) Activities.--The activities of the program established in
subsection (a) shall include--
``(1) supporting research and development to--
``(A) integrate existing observational networks,
including mobile and fixed sensor networks, and data
management systems for road weather applications;
``(B) improve weather modeling capabilities and
forecast tools, such as the road surface and
atmospheric interface;
``(C) enhance mechanisms for communicating road
weather information to users, such as transportation
officials and the public;
``(D) understand the human and cultural factors in
driver decision-making in response to road weather
hazards and in response to the delivery of road weather
information; and
``(E) integrate road weather technologies into an
information infrastructure;
``(2) improving coordination of research, development,
testing, and implementation of road weather information
technologies and automated vehicle and automated transportation
systems technologies;
``(3) partnering with private sector entities to promote
secure voluntary data sharing for the purposes of this section;
``(4) supporting implementation of road weather information
technology and improved communication of road weather
information to the public and other users, including
transportation officials, emergency managers and vehicle
manufacturers;
``(5) improving education and training of road weather
information users, such as State and local transportation
officials and private sector transportation contractors; and
``(6) coordinating with transportation weather research
activities in other modes, such as transit, railroad, and
aviation.
``(d) Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--An institution of higher education or a
nonprofit research organization (or a consortium thereof)
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.
``(2) Applications.--Each application under paragraph (1)
shall include a description of--
``(A) how the institution of higher education or
nonprofit research organization (or consortium thereof)
will work together with other research institutions,
industry partners, and State and local transportation
officials to carry out activities described in
subsection (c); and
``(B) how the institution of higher education or
nonprofit research organization (or consortium thereof)
will promote multidisciplinary research to improve road
weather information implementation.
``(3) Selection and duration.--The Secretary, in
consultation with National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the National Science Foundation, shall
select not less than six regional centers that represent
diverse geographic regions and weather patterns, and to the
extent possible be located along major United States
transportation corridors. Each center established under this
section is authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5
years, renewable for an additional 5 years at the discretion of
the Director.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made
available by section 101(a)(2) of the Surface Transportation Research
and Development Act of 2020, $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2022 through 2026 shall be made available to carry out this section.''.
TITLE II--MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) University Transportation Centers Program.--The following
amounts are authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund
(other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out section 5505 of
title 49, United States Code:
(1) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
(2) $159,750,000 for fiscal year 2023.
(3) $170,134,000 for fiscal year 2024.
(4) $181,192,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(5) $192,970,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(b) Bureau of Transportation Statistics.--The following amounts are
authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than
the Mass Transit Account) to carry out chapter 63 of title 49, United
States Code:
(1) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
(2) $35,875,000 for fiscal year 2023.
(3) $36,772,000 for fiscal year 2024.
(4) $37,691,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(5) $38,633,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(c) Transit Research and Development.--Section 5338(a)(2)(G) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(G) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, $35,875,000
for fiscal year 2023, $36,772,000 for fiscal year 2024,
$37,691,000 for fiscal year 2025, and $38,633,000 for
fiscal year 2026, shall be available to carry out
section 5312;''.
(d) National Cooperative Rail Research Program.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 24910 of title 49,
United States Code, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through
2026.
(e) Hazardous Materials Research and Development.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 5118(c) of title 49,
United States Code, $2,000,000 from the Highway Trust Fund and
$2,000,000 from the General Fund for each of fiscal years 2022 through
2026.
(f) National Cooperative Freight Transportation Research Program.--
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 5509 of
title 49, United States Code, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022
through 2026.
SEC. 202. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.
Section 6305 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``The Director'' and all
that follows to the period and inserting ``Notwithstanding
section 418 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-254), not later than 6 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Director shall establish and consult with an
advisory council on transportation statistics.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (d)(3).
SEC. 203. AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS PROGRAM.
Section 5505 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
(B) by inserting the following before subparagraph
(C) as so redesignated:
``(B) to address emerging transportation
challenges, as appropriate, including reducing
cybersecurity risks or other issues that have broad
impact to the issue areas specified in section
6503(c);'';
(2) in subsection (b)(4)(A), by striking ``research
priorities identified in chapter 65.'' and inserting the
following: ``following research priorities:
``(i) Improving the mobility of people and
goods.
``(ii) Reducing Congestion.
``(iii) Promoting Safety.
``(iv) Improving the durability and
extending the life of transportation
infrastructure and the existing transportation
system.
``(v) Preserving the environment.''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``5''
and inserting ``10'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``$4,000,000'' and
inserting ``$6,000,000''; and
(II) by striking ``$2,000,000'' and
inserting ``$3,000,000'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking ``As
a condition'' and inserting ``Subject
to clause (ii), as a condition'';
(II) in clause (ii), by striking
``section 6503(c)'' and inserting
``subsection (b)(4)(A)'';
(III) by redesignating clause (ii)
as clause (iii); and
(IV) by inserting after clause (i)
the following:
``(ii) Exception.--
``(I) In general.--For fiscal years
2022 and 2023, as a condition of
receiving a grant under this paragraph,
a grant recipient shall match 50
percent of the amounts made available
under the grant.
``(II) National emergency.--The
Secretary may reduce the percentage
described in subclause (I) to not less
than 50 percent during a national
emergency.'';
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Requirement.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall ensure that each of the
focus areas described in subsection (b)(4)(A) is the
priority focus for at least 1 national center.'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) by striking ``$3,000,000'' and
inserting ``$4,500,000''; and
(II) by striking ``$1,500,000'' and
inserting ``$2,500,000'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D)--
(I) by striking ``As a condition''
and inserting ``Subject to clause (ii),
as a condition'';
(II) by redesignating clause (ii)
as clause (iii); and
(III) by inserting after clause (i)
the following:
``(ii) Exception.--
``(I) In general.--For fiscal years
2022 and 2023, as a condition of
receiving a grant under this paragraph,
a grant recipient shall match 50
percent of the amounts made available
under the grant.
``(II) National emergency.--The
Secretary may reduce the percentage
described in subclause (I) to not less
than 50 percent during a national
emergency.''; and
(iii) by striking subparagraph (E);
(C) in paragraph (4)(A)--
(i) by striking ``The'' and inserting ``For
each fiscal year, the'';
(ii) by striking ``$2,000,000'' and
inserting ``$3,000,000'';
(iii) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and
inserting ``$1,500,000''; and
(iv) by striking ``20'' and inserting
``30''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, a grant is
defined as a traditional grant award and not a cooperative agreement,
such as a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or other
contractual vehicle.''.
SEC. 204. RESILIENT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE CENTERS OF
EXCELLENCE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter 1 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 5506. RESILIENT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE CENTERS OF
EXCELLENCE.
``(a) Centers of Excellence.--The Secretary shall award grants to
establish five Centers of Excellence to advance research and
development that improves the resilience of regions of the United
States to natural disasters, extreme weather, and the effects of
climate change on modal and multimodal transportation and
infrastructure.
``(b) Activities.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
shall ensure the Centers promote resilient infrastructure through--
``(1) development of new design, operations, and
maintenance standards that incorporate existing and anticipated
impacts of natural disasters, extreme weather, and climate
change;
``(2) development and integration of new materials and
technologies into existing and future modal and multimodal
transportation infrastructure;
``(3) workforce development and training; and
``(4) development and dissemination of tools, techniques,
and information that informs Federal, State, and local
government decision making, policies, planning, and
investments.
``(c) Center Coordination.--In making awards under subsection (f),
the Secretary shall designate one of the Centers to coordinate
activities of all five Centers to prevent duplication and promote
dissemination of research among awardees.
``(d) Eligibility.--An institution of higher education as defined
by section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002) or
a consortium led by an institution of higher education shall be
eligible to receive grants under this program.
``(e) Location.--Centers shall be located in diverse geographic
regions that experience different natural disasters, extreme weather
patterns, and climate change impacts.
``(f) Selection Criteria.--In awarding a grant, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) give preference to the recipient's past performance
in the activities related to subsection (b);
``(2) consider the extent to which an applicant's proposal
would involve participation by local, regional, and national
stakeholders; and
``(3) consider the local, regional, and national impacts of
the applicant's proposal.
``(g) Use of Funds.--Funds awarded under this subsection shall be
used for--
``(1) research and development;
``(2) education, workforce development, and outreach; and
``(3) technology transfer and commercialization.
``(h) Federal Share.--The Federal share of a grant under this
subsection shall be 50 percent of the costs of establishing and
operating the center of excellence and related activities carried out
by the grant recipient.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2022 through 2026 for grants under this subsection.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for such
subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following:
``5506. Resilient Transportation Infrastructure Centers of
Excellence.''.
SEC. 205. TRANSPORTATION DATA FOR HEALTHY LIVING STUDY PILOT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall publish the results a study for the
purpose of informing land use and transportation planning for
accessible health, food, education, and other essential services and
activities.
(b) Contents.--In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall
collect and analyze data to determine--
(1) if individuals travel to essential services and
activities;
(2) how individuals travel to essential services and
activities;
(3) how far individuals travel to essential services and
activities; and
(4) to the extent practicable, the geographic location and
socioeconomic status of the study participants.
(c) Geographic and Socioeconomic Diversity; Consultation.--In
carrying out the study, the Secretary shall--
(1) select geographically diverse areas, including rural,
tribal, and urban areas, and socioeconomically diverse
populations; and
(2) consult with other Federal and State statistical
agencies with relevant data related to essential services.
(d) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out the activities of this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2022 and 2023.
SEC. 206. VEHICULAR DATA ANALYTICS PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot program for
the purpose of integrating vehicle on-board sensor data with public and
private data sets in existence as of the date of the enactment of this
Act to improve safety, operations, cost reduction, and congestion
relief strategies for local and State transportation authorities and
private sector partners.
(b) Award.--In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall make one or more awards to an institution of higher
education or nonprofit research organization (or a consortium thereof).
(c) Partnership.--The Secretary shall require a recipient of an
award under subsection (b) to, on a voluntary basis, partner with
private sector organizations and local and State transportation
authorities to facilitate--
(1) access to vehicle on-board sensor data; and
(2) the sharing of information regarding operational needs
and research and development priorities from such organizations
or authorities to such recipient.
(d) Activities.--The activities of the pilot program shall
include--
(1) development of strategies for the acquisition,
management, and analysis of large-scale vehicular on-board
sensor data to ensure the privacy and security of such data;
and
(2) research and development to analyze and integrate
vehicle on-board sensor data with public and private data sets
in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act,
including development of applications to address safety,
operations, cost reduction, congestion mitigations, and other
transportation challenges.
(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee
on Commerce and Transportation of the Senate, a report detailing--
(1) a summary of the activities of the pilot program under
subsection (a); and
(2) recommendations for continuing such pilot program or
integrating such pilot program into the activities of the
Department.
(f) Protections.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
apply all applicable privacy protections of the Department of
Transportation.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the activities of this section $4,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
SEC. 207. NATIONAL COOPERATIVE FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 702 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 70205. National cooperative freight transportation research
program
``(a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish
and support a multimodal national cooperative freight transportation
research program.
``(b) Agreement.--Upon establishment of the program under (a), the
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of
Sciences to support and carry out administrative and management
activities relating to the governance of the national cooperative
freight transportation research program.
``(c) Advisory Committee.--The National Academy of Sciences shall
select an advisory committee consisting of a representative cross-
section of freight stakeholders, including the Department of
Transportation, other Federal agencies, State transportation
departments, local governments, nonprofit research organizations,
academia, and the private sector.
``(d) Governance.--The national cooperative freight transportation
research program established under this section may include the
following administrative and management elements:
``(1) National research agenda.--The advisory committee, in
consultation with interested parties, shall recommend a multi-
year national research agenda for the program. At a minimum,
the advisory committee shall consider--
``(A) techniques for estimating and quantifying
public benefits derived from transportation projects;
``(B) methods for incorporating estimates of
international trade, originating at both water and land
ports, into landside transportation planning;
``(C) ways to synchronize infrastructure
improvements with freight transportation demand,
including impacts of e-commerce on freight demand, and
strategies for better management;
``(D) the effect of changing patterns of freight
movement on transportation planning decisions relating
to rest areas and implementation of truck parking
solutions;
``(E) new innovative technologies and tools for
data collection, analysis, modeling, routing, and
overall management of freight movement;
``(F) ways to advance deployment of freight
intelligent transportation systems, including advanced
information systems;
``(G) methods for developing the outreach tools and
incentives to increase the workforce;
``(H) new methods and technologies for monitoring
and enforcement, including data sharing and
harmonization;
``(I) new methods and policies for incorporating
freight in urban transportation and land use planning;
and
``(J) other research areas, including human factors
research, to identify and address emerging and future
research needs related to freight transportation by all
modes.
``(2) Program administration.--In carrying out the program
under this section, the National Academy of Sciences shall
ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that grants and
contracts awarded under this section are selected through open
competitions and merit review conducted on a regular basis.
``(3) Dissemination of research findings.--The National
Academy of Sciences shall disseminate research findings to
researchers, practitioners, and decisionmakers, including
through conferences and seminars, field demonstrations,
workshops, presentations, testimony to government officials,
the Internet, publications for the general public, and other
appropriate means.
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Use of non-federal funds.--In addition to using funds
authorized for this section, the National Academy of Sciences
may seek and accept additional funding from non-Federal
sources, including public and private entities.
``(2) Period of availability.--Amounts made available to
carry out this section shall remain available until
expended.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for such chapter
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``70205. National cooperative freight transportation research
program.''.
SEC. 208. HEAVY FREIGHT AUTOMATED TRUCKING RESEARCH CORRIDOR.
(a) In General.--Subchapter 1 of chapter 55 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5507. Heavy Freight Automated Trucking Research Corridor
``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of
2021, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a Heavy Freight
Automated Trucking Research Initiative to explore the potential
benefits and risks of the broad scale adoption of heavy freight
automated commercial motor vehicles.
``(b) Responsibilities.--In carrying out the initiative established
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) support and conduct research and development on
automated and connected freight trucking with private industry,
driver associations, other Federal agencies, State and local
Transportation agencies, and a National Transportation center
selected under section 5505(c)(2) of title 49, United States
Code; and
``(2) support or establish a heavy freight automated
trucking testing and demonstration corridor and related pilot
programs.
``(c) Research and Development Agenda.--The Secretary shall
establish an agenda for research and development conducted under
subsection (b)(1) and the programs described in subsection (b)(2) that
at a minimum, may include--
``(1) analyzing, modeling, and piloting the feasibility,
benefits, and risks of dedicated automated trucking corridors,
including their impact on--
``(A) long Distance Freight movement;
``(B) supply chains;
``(C) fuel economy and emissions;
``(D) transportation infrastructure;
``(E) vehicle miles traveled;
``(F) small business concerns (as defined in
section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632);
``(G) the freight trucking workforce, including any
impact on pay, benefits, and working conditions in both
long-haul trucking and for any driving, warehousing, or
operations jobs being created;
``(H) safety, including interactions with non-
automated motor vehicles and other road users; and
``(I) surrounding communities.
``(2) providing deployment guidance, including for--
``(A) cyber-physical security; and
``(B) human factors, including human-machine
interfaces, psychological impacts, training the next
generation of the transportation workforce, and how to
address impacts on the workforce, including impacts on
driver retention and on wages, benefits, and working
conditions across the industry.
``(d) Outreach and Consultation.--In developing the research agenda
under subsection (b), the Secretary shall conduct outreach to, and
solicit input from, public, private, and academic stakeholders,
including individual workers and labor organizations (as defined in
section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152)).
``(e) Eligibility.--An institution of higher education (as defined
by section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) or
a consortium composed of nonprofit research organizations and
institutions of higher education shall be eligible to receive grants
under this program.
``(f) Selection Criteria.--In awarding a grant, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) give preference to the recipient's past and current
collaboration with local and State transportation agencies,
other Federal agencies, private industry, and driver
associations in activities related to this section;
``(2) give preference to a recipient whose geographic
location offers access to long haul trucking corridors;
``(3) consider the extent to which an applicant's proposal
would involve participation by local, regional, and national
stakeholders; and
``(4) consider the local, regional, and national impacts of
the applicant's proposal.
``(g) Matching Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--As a condition of receiving a grant
under subsection (b)(2), a grant recipient shall match 50
percent of the costs of establishing and operating the testing
and demonstration corridor and related activities carried out
by the grant recipient.
``(2) Sources.--The matching amounts referred to in
paragraph (1) may include amounts made available to the
recipient under--
``(A) section 504(b) of title 23; or
``(B) section 505 of title 23.
``(h) Transparency.--The results of testing and research funded
under this section shall be made available on a publicly accessible
website of the Department of Transportation.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2022 through 2026 for grants under subsection (b)(2).
``(j) Definitions.--In this section, the term `heavy freight
automated commercial motor vehicle' means a commercial motor vehicle as
the term is defined in section 31101 of title 49, United States Code,
that--
``(1) is designed to transport freight in interstate
commerce and has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle
weight of at least 26,001 pounds, whichever is greater; and
``(2) is designed to be operated exclusively by a Level 4
automated driving system for trips within its operational
design domain or a Level 5 automated driving system for all
trips according to the recommended practice standards published
on June 15, 2018, by the Society of Automotive Engineers
International (J3016_201806) or, when adopted, equivalent
standards established by the Secretary with respect to
automated motor vehicles, while operating on public roads.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for such
subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following:
``5507. Heavy Freight Autonomous Trucking Research Corridor.''.
SEC. 209. STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter 1 of chapter 55 of title 49, United
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 5508. SCOPING A NEW STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to
undertake a study of the research needs of the surface transportation
system to fully adapt and integrate advanced technologies and
innovation. The study shall include the following focus areas--
``(1) advancing connected and autonomous technologies;
``(2) incorporating safety-related technologies;
``(3) addressing infrastructure resiliency;
``(4) multimodal connectivity;
``(5) data gathering of travel behavior, including the
public's short and long-term responses to transformational
technologies;
``(6) impacts of private-sector transportation product
development on society and the traditional research enterprise;
``(7) support for a public-sector culture of transportation
innovation and acceleration of federally-funded research into
practice, codes, and standards; and
``(8) fostering development of transportation educators and
transportation professionals.
``(b) Report.--The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine shall submit a report to Congress not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for such
subchapter is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``5508. Strategic Transportation Research Program.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2022.
SEC. 210. ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 55 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 5509. Advanced Transportation Research and Innovation Program
``(a) Establishment; Purposes.--The Secretary of Transportation
shall establish the Advanced Transportation Research and Innovation
Program, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary of Research and
Technology. The purposes of the program shall be to--
``(1) support research that addresses the long-term
barriers to development of multimodal advanced transportation
technologies with the potential to meet the Nation's long-term
safety, competitiveness, and transportation goals;
``(2) support high-risk research and development to
accelerate transformational transportation innovations and make
federal investments in emerging technology development;
``(3) leverage Federal interagency research mechanisms and
the academic research enterprise;
``(4) educate and train students in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics fields to conduct research and
standards development relevant to transportation technologies,
materials, systems, operations, processes, and policies; and
``(5) fostering collaboration among Federal researchers and
academic researchers.
``(b) Interagency Collaboration.--The Secretary shall collaborate
on, identify, and disseminate within the Department, as appropriate,
advanced transportation research, development, and other activities of
other Federal agencies, including the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of
Homeland Security, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department
of Defense to ensure the Department's research investments are making
the best possible contribution to the Nation's goals of public health
and safety, economic prosperity, national security, and environmental
quality.
``(c) Research Grants.--The Secretary may support the purposes of
the program and carry out activities described under subsection (a)
through--
``(1) competitive, merit-based basic research grants to
individual investigators and teams of investigators; and
``(2) centers of excellence selected through a competitive,
merit-based process.
``(d) Application.--
``(1) In general.--An investigator, team of investigators,
or an institution of higher education (or consortium thereof)
seeking funding under this section shall submit an application
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Research centers.--Each application under paragraph
(1) from an institution of higher education (or consortium
thereof) shall include a description of how the Center will
promote multidisciplinary transportation research and
development collaboration.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2022 through 2026.
``(f) Research.--At a minimum, the Secretary shall award 75 percent
of awards under this program to projects for basic research.
``(g) Review.--Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary
shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a
review of the research and activities carried out under this program
and assess whether they are consistent with meeting the purposes
described in subsection (a). Members of the review panel shall
represent, at a minimum, multimodal surface transportation researchers
and practitioners.
``(h) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment
of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall provide to
the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report on implementation of this program and research
areas that the program will support.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for such
subchapter, as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``5509. Advanced Transportation Research and Innovation Program''.
SEC. 211. RAIL COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 24910 of title 49, United States Code is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(3) by striking ``2019'' and inserting
``2026''; and
(2) in subsection (e) by striking ``2010 through 2013'' and
inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 212. MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary may establish a program for the
demonstration of advanced transportation technologies, including
autonomous systems, for surface transportation modes, including
highways, public transportation, freight, ports, and maritime.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this program is to provide Federal
investment in the demonstration of emerging technologies in small and
mid-sized communities to achieve the purposes of the national
transportation research and development program described in section
6503 of title 49, United States Code. Activities supported under this
section may include data interoperability, mobility-on-demand and
micro-mobility projects to demonstrate first-mile/last-mile
transportation, and any other topics as determined by the Secretary.
Where appropriate, joint interagency funding for projects is authorized
to support multimodal projects.
(c) Eligibility.--Eligible recipients of grants under this program
include local transportation organizations and transit agencies serving
a population of not more than 250,000 individuals, including
communities of economic hardship and communities that experience
transportation equity and accessibility issues.
(d) Application.--
(1) In general.--An organization seeking funding under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
(2) Collaboration.--Each application submitted under this
section shall describe how that organization will collaborate,
as appropriate, with institutions of higher education, State
and local governments, regional transportation organizations,
nonprofit research organizations, and private sector entities.
(e) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out activities under this section $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2022 through 2026.
SEC. 213. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Establishment.--In consultation with the Assistant Secretary
for Research and Technology, the Secretary shall establish a surface
transportation research and development advisory board.
(b) Duties.--It shall be the duty of the advisory board to review
and make recommendations to the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary
for Research and Technology for general policy for the Department's
surface transportation research and development activities, its
organization, its budget and its programs as they relate to national
surface transportation policies.
(c) Membership.--The Secretary shall appoint not less than 9
members from State transportation departments, local governments,
nonprofit organizations, academia, and the private sector, a majority
of whom shall be from institutions of higher education.
(d) Qualifications.--The persons appointed as members of the
advisory board--
(1) shall be experts in areas such as Federal
transportation research and development, engineering,
education, climate change, resilient transportation
technologies; public-private partnerships; data science;
information and communications technologies; and social,
behavioral and economic sciences;
(2) shall be selected solely on the basis of established
records of distinguished service;
(3) shall not be employees of the Federal Government; and
(4) shall represent multiple surface transportation modes
and disciplines of legacy and emerging technologies, materials,
and processes.
(e) Report.--The advisory board established in this section shall
make publicly available a biennial report of recommendations made by
the advisory board to the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology and any such additional reports the advisory
board deems necessary.
SEC. 214. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT QUINQUENNIAL REVIEW
AND STRATEGIC PLAN.
Section 6503 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``For each 5-year period beginning with fiscal year
2022, the Secretary'';
(2) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking the semicolon
and inserting ``and security in the transportation
system;''; and
(B) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as
follows:
``(F) developing and maintaining a diverse
workforce in transportation sectors;''; and
(3) in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``not later than
December 31, 2016,'' and inserting ``not later than December
31, 2022,''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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, Space, and Technology, 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 Research and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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