PUBLIC LAW 105-178—JUNE 9, 1998 112 STAT. 425 "(6) Economic highway geometries, 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. "(7) Telecommuting and the linkages between transportation, information technology, and community development and the impact of technological change and economic restructuring on travel demand. "(8) Expansion of knowledge of implementing life cycle cost analysis, including— "(A) establishing the appropriate analysis period and discount rates; "(B) learning how to value and properly consider use costs; "(C) determining tradeoffs between reconstruction and rehabilitation; and "(D) establishing methodologies for balancing higher initial costs of new technologies and improved or advanced materials against lower maintenance costs. "(9) Standardized estimates, to be 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. "(10) Evaluation of traffic calming measures that promote community preservation, transportation mode choice, and safety. "(11) Development and implementation of safety-enhancing equipment, including unobtrusive eyetracking technology. "(d) ADVANCED RESEARCH. — "(1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall establish an advanced research program, consistent with the surface transportation research and technology development strategic plan developed under section 508, that addresses longer-term, higher-risk research that shows potential benefits for improving the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety (including bicycle and pedestrian safety) of highway and intermodal transportation systems. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall strive to develop partnerships with the public and private sectors. "(2) RESEARCH AREAS.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts in such areas as the Secretary determines appropriate, including the following: "(A) Characterization of materials used in highway infrastructure, including analytical techniques, microstructure modeling, and the deterioration processes. "(B) Diagnostics for evaluation of the condition of bridge and pavement structures to enable the assessment of risks of failure, including from seismic activity, vibration, and weather. "(C) Design and construction details for composite structures. "(D) Safety technology-based problems in the areas of pedestrian and bicycle safety, roadside hazards, and composite materials for roadside safety hardware.
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