[Federal Register: January 26, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 16)]
[Notices]
[Page 3766-3767]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26ja05-148]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
Report on Research Activities; Request for Comments
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.
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SUMMARY: The Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement
Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-426) will disestablish the Department of
Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA).
In its place, two new Federal agencies will be established--the
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These
new organizations will be effective no later than February 28, 2005.
Section 4(g) of the Act directs the incoming RITA Administrator to
prepare a report to Congress, due March 30, 2005, on the research
activities and priorities of the Department of Transportation. As a
part of the stakeholder review process, the
[[Page 3767]]
Department of Transportation is soliciting comments from Federal,
state, private sector, and not-for-profit institutions on the topics
outlined below.
ADDRESSES: Please submit all comments electronically to
RitaReport@rspa.dot.gov or fax to (202) 366-3671. The deadline for
comments is February 15, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Marchessault, RSPA, by
telephone at (202) 366-4434 or Fax: (202) 366-3671.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RITA is a new Department of Transportation
(DOT) organization dedicated to advancing the DOT's priorities for
transportation innovation, research, and education. RITA will integrate
the existing intermodal research and development functions of the RSPA
Office of Innovation, Research, and Education and the Secretary's
Office of Intermodalism.
In addition, RITA also will incorporate the Volpe National
Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts; the
Transportation Safety Institute in Oklahoma City; and the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics in its entirety.
Report to Congress
On November 30, 2004, President Bush signed the Norman Y. Mineta
Research and Special Programs Improvement Act (Public Law 108-426).
Section 4(g) of the Act directs the RITA Administrator to prepare a
report on the research activities of the Department of Transportation,
for delivery to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. This report is
due March 30, 2005, 120 days after enactment.
The report shall include the following information:
A summary of the mission and strategic goals of the new
RITA Administration;
A prioritized list of the research and development
activities that the Department intends to pursue over the next five (5)
years;
A description of the primary purposes for conducting such
R&D activities such as reducing traffic congestion, improving mobility,
and promoting safety;
An estimate of the funding levels needed to implement such
R&D activities for the current fiscal year; and
Additional information the RITA Administrator considers
appropriate.
In developing the report, the RITA Administrator must also:
Solicit input from a wide range of stakeholders;
Take into account how the research and development
activities of other Federal, state, private sector, and not-for-profit
institutions contribute to the achievement of the desired purposes; and
Address methods to avoid unnecessary duplication of
efforts in achieving such purposes.
As a part of the stakeholder review process, the Department of
Transportation is soliciting comments from Federal, state, private
sector, and not-for-profit institutions on these topics. The Department
is using a variety of venues to solicit comments by stakeholders. This
Federal Register Notice is one method for receiving comment. In
particular, the Department encourages comments on the following topics:
Identification of Priorities
How do we establish DOT transportation research priorities
in an environment of limited resources?
How do we balance research on long-term, high-risk and
high-impact advances versus research with immediate transportation
safety and mobility returns?
Research Duplication
How do we identify and avoid unnecessary duplication in
transportation-related technology research?
How do we share information and learn about opportunities
to benefit from others' research?
The Role of Stakeholders
What on-going communications methods or processes might be
established with stakeholders outside of the DOT to receive their
advice and recommendations?
What information resources can RITA utilize or create to
leverage private sector advances into the DOT missions and goals?
We encourage your ideas on these topics, and on other related
topics you may identify. The development of RITA, its roles, direction,
and responsibilities, will be a methodical process of growth. It may
not be possible to incorporate many of the ideas we receive in our
Congressional report. However, all ideas and concerns identified will
be considered for integration into our planning endeavors.
Issued in Washington, DC on January 14, 2005.
Thomas Marchessault,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Innovation, Research and
Education, Research and Special Programs Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-1226 Filed 1-25-05; 8:45 am]
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