Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/449

This page needs to be proofread.

PUBLIC LAW 105-178-^JUNE 9, 1998 112 STAT. 423

  • § 502. Surface transportation research

" (a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.— "(1) RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary may carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities with respect to— "(A) motor carrier transportation; "(B) all phases of transportation planning and development (including construction, operation, modernization, development, design, maintenance, safety, financing, and traffic conditions); and "(C) the effect of State laws on the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). " (2) TESTS AND DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary may test, develop, or assist in testing and developing any material, invention, patented article, or process. "(3) COOPERATION, GRANTS, AND CONTRACTS. —The Secretary may carry out this section— "(A) independently; "(B) in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and Federal laboratories; or "(C) by making grants to, or entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or any Federal laboratory, State agency, authority, association, institution, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, organization, foreign country, or person. " (4) TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.—The programs and activities carried out under this section shall be consistent with the surface transportation research and technology development strategic plan developed under section 508. " (5) FUNDS. — "(A) SPECIAL ACCOUNT.—In addition to other funds made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall use such funds as may be deposited by any cooperating organization or person in a special account of the Treasury established for this purpose. "(B) USE OF FUNDS.—The Secretary shall use funds made available to carry out this section to develop, administer, communicate, and promote the use of products of research, development, and technology transfer programs under this section. " (b) COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.— "(1) IN GENERAL. —To encourage innovative solutions to surface transportation problems and stimulate the deployment of new technology, the Secretary may carry out, on a costshared basis, collaborative research and development with— "(A) non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, foreign governments, colleges and universities, corporations, institutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and trade associations that are incorporated or established under the laws of any State; and "(B) Federal laboratories. "(2) AGREEMENTS.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development 5»-194O-98 -15:QL3Part 1