Surface Transportation R&D Act

Summary#

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to run and coordinate research, development, and deployment activities for surface transportation. It makes specific changes to existing laws to extend program years, move and strengthen the office that handles transportation statistics, and create a new Transportation Statistics Coordination Council. The bill updates the University Transportation Centers program and the Open Research Initiative with new reporting and planning requirements. It also requires studies and plans on several technical topics, including a study of high-intensity and matrix LED headlamps, a nationwide strategy for using reclaimed asphalt pavement, and expanded focus for rail research programs to address safety and hazardous materials.

What it means for you#

  • The Department of Transportation (DOT) must prepare reports and plans for Congress on several topics, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement use and an open research implementation plan.
  • The DOT will create a Transportation Statistics Coordination Council to coordinate data collection and reduce duplication across DOT operating administrations.
  • The bill directs a study of emerging headlamp technologies to assess driver visibility, glare, and roadway safety, and to provide recommendations.
  • Universities, state and local transportation agencies, nonprofit research organizations, and private asphalt producers are listed as groups the DOT should consult when preparing the reclaimed asphalt strategy.
  • Existing programs (like University Transportation Centers and certain technology programs) have updated covered years or reporting schedules; the bill does not itself change program eligibility rules in detail.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on funding levels or estimated costs is included in the bill text or metadata provided.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on supporters' statements, legislative findings, or arguments is included in the bill text or metadata provided. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Vince Fong and Emilia Sykes.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' statements, concerns, or formal objections is included in the bill text or metadata provided.