Sec. 5111. Advanced transportation research and innovation program
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Subchapter I of chapter 55 of title 49, United States Code, as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary of Transportation shall establish an advanced transportation research and innovation program, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary of Research and Technology, to— support research that addresses the long-term barriers to development of advanced transportation technologies with the potential to meet the Nation’s long-term safety, competitiveness, and transportation goals; support high-risk research and development to accelerate transformational transportation innovations and emerging technology development; 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; leverage Federal interagency research mechanisms and the academic research enterprise; 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 fostering collaboration among federal researchers and academic researchers.
In carrying out this section, 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, environmental quality, and a diverse transportation workforce.
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall collaborate with labor organizations, as appropriate. In carrying out this section, the Secretary may carry out the activities described under subsection
(a)through— competitive, merit-based basic research grants to individual investigators and teams of investigators; and centers of excellence selected through a competitive, merit-based process. 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. 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. At a minimum, the Secretary shall award 75 percent of awards under this program to projects for basic research. Not later than September 30, 2025, 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 such activities are consistent with subsection (a). Members of the review panel shall represent, at a minimum, multimodal surface transportation researchers and practitioners. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the INVEST in America Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on implementation of the program under this section and research areas that the program will support. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025. . The analysis for chapter 55 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 5510. Advanced transportation research and innovation program. .