(a)
(1)
(2)
(A) to advance transportation expertise and technology in the varied disciplines that comprise the field of transportation through education, research, and technology transfer activities;
(B) to provide for a critical multimodal transportation knowledge base outside of the Department of Transportation; and
(C) to address critical workforce needs and educate the next generation of transportation leaders with respect to the matters described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 6503(c)(1).
(b)
(1)
(2)
(A)
(B)
(3)
(4)
(A)
(B)
(i) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to address each specific topic area described in the research and strategic plans of the recipient;
(ii) the demonstrated research, technology transfer, and education resources available to the recipient to carry out this section;
(iii) the ability of the recipient to provide leadership in solving immediate and long-range national and regional transportation problems;
(iv) the ability of the recipient to carry out research, education, and technology transfer activities that are multimodal and multidisciplinary in scope;
(v) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to carry out transportation workforce development programs through—
(I) degree-granting programs or programs that provide other industry-recognized credentials; and
(II) outreach activities to attract new entrants into the transportation field, including women and underrepresented populations;
(vi) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to disseminate results and spur the implementation of transportation research and education programs through national or statewide continuing education programs;
(vii) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to the use of peer review principles and other research best practices in the selection, management, and dissemination of research projects;
(viii) the strategic plan submitted by the recipient describing the proposed research to be carried out by the recipient and the performance metrics to be used in assessing the performance of the recipient in meeting the stated research, technology transfer, education, and outreach goals; and
(ix) the ability of the recipient to implement the proposed program in a cost-efficient manner, such as through cost sharing and overall reduced overhead, facilities, and administrative costs.
(5)
(A)
(B)
(i) specific criteria of evaluation used in the review;
(ii) descriptions of the review process; and
(iii) explanations of the selected awards.
(6)
(c)
(1)
(2)
(A)
(B)
(i)
(ii)
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(I) section 504(b) of title 23; or
(II) section 505 of title 23.
(3)
(A)
(B)
(i) the criteria described in subsection (b)(4);
(ii) the location of the lead center within the Federal region to be served; and
(iii) whether the consortium of institutions demonstrates that the consortium has a well-established, nationally recognized program in transportation research and education, as evidenced by—
(I) recent expenditures by the institution in highway or public transportation research;
(II) a historical track record of awarding graduate degrees in professional fields closely related to highways and public transportation; and
(III) an experienced faculty who specialize in professional fields closely related to highways and public transportation.
(C)
(D)
(i)
(ii)
(I) section 504(b) of title 23; or
(II) section 505 of title 23.
(E)
(i)
(ii)
(4)
(A)
(B)
(i)
(ii)
(I) section 504(b) of title 23; or
(II) section 505 of title 23.
(C)
(d)
(1)
(A) coordinate the research, education, and technology transfer activities carried out by grant recipients under this section; and
(B) disseminate the results of that research through the establishment and operation of a publicly accessible online information clearinghouse.
(2)
(A) review and evaluate the programs carried out under this section by grant recipients; and
(B) make available to the public on a website of the Department of Transportation a report describing that review and evaluation.
(3)
(e)
(f)
(Added and amended Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5110(a), (d), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 441; Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, §9011(d), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 863; Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5401(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1814; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52009(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 882; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6016, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1571; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title V, §25017, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 873.)
The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 114–94, which amended this section generally and was approved Dec. 4, 2015.
2021—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(1)(A), inserted "of Transportation, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (referred to in this section as the 'Secretary')," after "The Secretary".
Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(1)(B)(i), inserted "multimodal" after "critical".
Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(1)(B)(ii), inserted "with respect to the matters described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 6503(c)(1)" after "transportation leaders".
Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(2)(A), substituted "as a lead institution under this section, except as provided in subparagraph (B)" for "for each of the transportation centers described under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c)".
Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(2)(B)(i), substituted "described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 6503(c)(1)" for "identified in chapter 65".
Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(2)(B)(ii), substituted "the heads of the modal administrations of the Department of Transportation," for "the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and other modal administrations" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(2)(C), substituted "make available to the public on a website of the Department of Transportation" for "submit to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(3)(E). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(3), added cl. (i), designated existing provisions as cl. (ii) and inserted heading, and inserted ", including the cybersecurity implications of technologies relating to connected vehicles, connected infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles" after "autonomous vehicles".
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(4)(A)(i), (ii), substituted "Review" for "Annual review" in heading and "biennially" for "annually" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(4)(A)(iii), substituted "make available to the public on a website of the Department of Transportation" for "submit to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate".
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §25017(4)(B), substituted "2022 through 2026" for "2016 through 2020".
2015—Pub. L. 114–94 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to the university transportation centers program.
2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to national university transportation centers.
2005—Pub. L. 109–59 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to national university transportation centers for provisions relating to university transportation research.
1998—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 105–178, §5110(d)(1), as added by Pub. L. 105–206, substituted "section 508 of title 23, United States Code," for "section 5506,".
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–178, §5110(d)(2), as added by Pub. L. 105–206, inserted "Subject to section 5338(e):" before par. (1) and substituted "institutions or groups of institutions" for "institutions" wherever appearing.
Subsec. (j)(4)(B). Pub. L. 105–178, §5110(d)(3), as added by Pub. L. 105–206, substituted "on behalf of a consortium which may also include West Virginia University Institute of Technology, the College of West Virginia, and Bluefield State College" for "on behalf of a consortium of West Virginia colleges and universities".
Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.
Title IX of Pub. L. 105–206 effective simultaneously with enactment of Pub. L. 105–178 and to be treated as included in Pub. L. 105–178 at time of enactment, and provisions of Pub. L. 105–178, as in effect on day before July 22, 1998, that are amended by title IX of Pub. L. 105–206 to be treated as not enacted, see section 9016 of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.