PUBLIC LAW 109–59—AUG. 10, 2005
119 STAT. 1783
‘‘(12) Investigation and development of various operational methodologies to reduce the occurrence and impact of recurrent congestion and nonrecurrent congestion and increase transportation system reliability. ‘‘(13) Investigation of processes, procedures, and technologies to secure container and hazardous material transport, including the evaluation of regulations and the impact of good security practices on commerce and productivity. ‘‘(14) Research, development, and technology transfer related to asset management.’’. (f) FACILITATING TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIPS.—Section 502(c)(2) of such title (as redesignated by subsection (b) of this section) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(2) COOPERATION, GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND AGREEMENTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may directly initiate contracts, cooperative research and development agreements (as defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)) to fund, and accept funds from, the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, State departments of transportation, cities, counties, and their agents to conduct joint transportation research and technology efforts.’’. (g) EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Section 502(e) of such title (as redesignated by subsection (b) of this section) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(e) EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an exploratory 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 with potentially dramatic breakthroughs for improving the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety (including bicycle and pedestrian safety) aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall strive to develop partnerships with public and private sector entities. ‘‘(2) RESEARCH AREAS.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts in such areas of surface transportation research and technology 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) Assessment of the effects of transportation decisions on human health. ‘‘(C) Development of surrogate measures of safety. ‘‘(D) Environmental research. ‘‘(E) Data acquisition techniques for system condition and performance monitoring. ‘‘(F) System performance data and information processing needed to assess the day-to-day operational performance of the system in support of hour-to-hour operational decisionmaking.’’.
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