Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
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[THE FOLLOWING TEXT FILE OF H.R. 2950 (ENROLLED BILL), PUB. L. 102-240, 105 STAT. 1914, WAS PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. CHECK FOR ACCURACY BEFORE QUOTING ANY TEXT.]

[Title VI - Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) - PL 102-240]


TITLE VI-RESEARCH

PART A--PROGRAMS, STUDIES, AND ACTIVITIES

SEC. 6001. RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 307 of title 23, United States Code, are amended to read as follows:

``(a) Research and Technology Program.-

``(1) Authority of the secretary.-

``(A) In general.-The Secretary may engage in research, development, and technology transfer activities with respect to motor carrier transportation and all phases of highway planning and development (including construction, operation, modernization, development, design, maintenance, safety, financing, and traffic conditions) and the effect thereon of State laws and may test, develop, or assist in testing and developing any material, invention, patented article, or process.

``(B) Cooperation, grants, and contracts.-The Secretary may carry out this section either independently or in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities or by making grants to, and entering into contracts and cooperative agreements with, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or any State agency, authority, association, institution, corporation (profit or nonprofit), organization, or person.

``(C) Research fellowships.-

``(i) General authority.-The Secretary may, acting either independently or in cooperation with other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, make grants for research fellowships for any purpose for which research is authorized by this section.

``(ii) Dwight david eisenhower transportation fellowship program.-The Secretary shall establish and implement a transportation research fellowship program for the purpose of attracting qualified students to the field of transportation engineering _and research. Such program shall be known as the ``Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program''. Of the~~~ funds made~~~ available~~~ pursuant~~~ to paragraph (3) for each fiscal year beginning after _September 30, 1991, the Secretary shall expend not less than $2,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out such program.

``(2) Collaborative research and development.-

``(A) In general.-For the purposes of encouraging innovative solutions to highway problems and stimulating the marketing of new technology by private industry, the Secretary is authorized to undertake, on a costshared basis, collaborative research and development with nonFederal entities, including State and local governments, foreign governments, colleges and universities, corporations, institutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and trade associations which are incorporated or established under the laws of any State.

``(B) Agreements.-In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development agreements, as such term is defined under section 12 of the StevensonWydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a).

``(C) Federal share.-The Federal share payable on account of activities carried out under a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under this paragraph shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such activities; except that, if there is substantial public interest or benefit, the Secretary may approve a higher Federal share. All costs directly incurred by the nonFederal partners, including personnel, travel, and hardware development costs, shall be treated as part of the nonFederal share of the cost of such activities for purposes of the preceding sentence.

``(D) Utilization of technology.-The research, development, or utilization of any technology pursuant to a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under this paragraph, including the terms under which the technology may be licensed and the resulting royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the StevensonWydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

``(3) Funds.-

``(A) In general.-The funds necessary to carry out this subsection and subsections (b), (d), and (e) shall be taken by the Secretary out of administrative funds deducted pursuant to section 104(a) of this title and such funds as may be deposited by any cooperating organization or person in a special account of the Treasury of the United States established for such purposes.

``(B) Minimum expenditures on longterm research projects.-Not less than 15 percent of the funds made available under this paragraph shall be expended on longterm research projects which are unlikely to be completed within 10 years.

``(4) Waiver of advertising requirements.-The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5) shall not be applicable to contracts or agreements entered into under this section.

``(b) Mandatory Contents of Research Program.-

``(1) Inclusion of certain studies.-The Secretary shall include in the highway research program under subsection (a) studies of economic highway geometrics, structures, and desirable weight and size standards for vehicles using the public highways and of the feasibility of uniformity in State regulations with respect to such standards. The highway research program shall also include studies to identify and measure, quantitatively and qualitatively, those factors which relate to economic, social, environmental, and other impacts of highway projects.

``(2) SHRP results.-

``(A) Implementation.-The highway research program under subsection (a) shall include a program to implement results of the strategic highway research program carried out under subsection (d) (including results relating to automatic intrusion alarms for street and highway construction work zones) and to continue the longterm pavement performance tests being carried out under such program.

``(B) Minimum funding.-Of amounts deducted under section 104(a) of this title, the Secretary shall expend not less than $12,000,000 in fiscal year 1992, $16,000,000 in fiscal year 1993, and $20,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 to carry out this paragraph.

``(3) Surface Transportation System Performance Indicators.-The highway research program under subsection (a) shall include a coordinated longterm program of research for the development, use, and dissemination of performance indicators to measure the performance of the surface transportation system of the United States, including indicators for productivity, efficiency, energy use, air quality, congestion, safety, maintenance, and other factors which reflect the overall performance of such system.

``(4) Short haul passenger transportation systems.-The Secretary shall conduct necessary systems research in order to develop a concept for a lightweight, pneumatic tire multipleunit, batterypowered system, in conjunction with recharging stations at strategic locations. The Secretary shall create a potential systems concept and, as part of the surface transportation research and development plan under subsection (b), make recommendations to Congress by January 15, 1993.

``(5) Supporting infrastructure.-The Secretary shall establish a program to strengthen and expand surface transportation infrastructure research and development. The program shall include the following elements:

``(A) Methods and materials for improving the durability of surface transportation infrastructure facilities and extending the life of bridge structures, including new and innovative technologies to reduce corrosion.

``(B) Expansion of the Department of Transportation's inspection and mobile nondestructive examination capabilities, including consideration of the use of high energy field radiography for more thorough and more frequent inspections of bridge structures as well as added support to State highway departments.

``(C) The Secretary shall determine whether or not to initiate a construction equipment research and development program directed toward the reduction of costs associated with the construction of highways and mass transit systems. The Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report containing such determination on or before July 1, 1992.

``(D) The Secretary shall undertake or supervise surface transportation infrastructure research to develop-

``(i) nondestructive evaluation equipment for use with existing infrastructure facilities and for next generation infrastructure facilities that utilize advanced materials;

``(ii) information technologies, including-

``(I) appropriate computer programs to collect and analyze data on the status of the existing infrastructure facilities for enhancing management, growth, and capacity; and

``(II) dynamic simulation models of surface transportation systems for predicting capacity, safety, and infrastructure durability problems, for evaluating planned research projects, and for testing the strengths and weaknesses of proposed revisions in surface transportation operations programs; and

``(iii) new and innovative technologies to enhance and facilitate field construction and rehabilitation techniques for minimizing disruption during repair and maintenance of existing structures.

``(c) State Planning and Research.-

``(1) General rule.-2 percent of the sums apportioned for each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1991, to any State under sections 104 and 144 of this title and for highway projects under section 103(e)(4) of this title shall be available for expenditure by the State highway department, in consultation with the Secretary, only for the following purposes:

``(A) Engineering and economic surveys and investigations.

``(B) The planning of future highway programs and local public transportation systems and for planning for the financing thereof, including statewide planning under section 135 of this title.

``(C) Development and implementation of management systems under section 303 of this title.

``(D) Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of highway usage and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation thereof.

``(E) Research, development, and technology transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems and study, research, and training on engineering standards and construction materials for such systems, including evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing and the regulation and taxation of their use.

``(2) Minimum expenditures on research, development, and technology transfer activities.-Not less than 25 percent of the funds which are apportioned to a State for a fiscal year and are subject to paragraph (1) shall be expended by the State for research, development, and technology transfer activities described in paragraph (1) relating to highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems unless the State certifies to the Secretary for such fiscal year that total expenditures by the State for transportation planning under sections 134 and 135 will exceed 75 percent of the amount of such funds and the Secretary accepts such certification.

``(3) Federal share.-The Federal share payable on account of any project financed with funds which are subject to paragraph (1) shall be 80 percent unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federalaid highway program would be best served by decreasing or eliminating the nonFederal share.

``(4) Administration of sums.-Funds which are subject to paragraph (1) shall be combined and administered by the Secretary as a single fund which shall be available for obligation for the same period as funds apportioned under section 104(b)(1) of this title.

SEC. 6002. NATIONAL HIGHWAY INSTITUTE.

Section 321 of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 321. National Highway Institute

``(a) Establishment; Duties; Programs.-

``(1) Establishment.-The Secretary shall establish and operate in the Federal Highway Administration a National Highway Institute (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Institute').

``(2) Duties.-The Institute shall develop and administer, in cooperation with the State transportation or highway departments, and any national or international entity, training programs of instruction for Federal Highway Administration, State and local transportation and highway department employees, State and local police, public safety and motor vehicle employees, and United States citizens and foreign nationals engaged or to be engaged in highway work of interest to the United States. The Secretary shall administer, through the Institute, the authority vested in the Secretary by this title or by any other provision of law for the development and conduct of education and training programs relating to highways.

``(3) Types of programs.-Programs which the Institute may develop and administer may include courses in modern developments, techniques, management, and procedures relating to highway planning, environmental factors, acquisition of rightsofway, relocation assistance, engineering, safety, construction, maintenance, contract administration, motor carrier activities, and inspection.

``(b) SetAside; Federal Share.-Not to exceed \1/16\ of 1 percent of all funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(3) for the surface transportation program shall be available for expenditure by the State highway department for payment of not to exceed 80 percent of the cost of tuition and direct educational expenses (but not travel, subsistence, or salaries) in connection with the education and training of State and local highway department employees as provided in this section.

``(c) Federal Responsibility.-Education and training of Federal, State, and local highway employees authorized by this section shall be provided-

``(1) by the Secretary at no cost to the States and local governments for those subject areas which are a Federal program responsibility; or

``(2) in any case in which education and training are to be paid for under subsection (b), by the State (subject to the approval of the Secretary) through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, individuals, and the Institute; except that private agencies and individuals shall pay the full cost of any education and training received by them.

``(d) Training Fellowships; Cooperation.-The Institute is authorized, subject to approval of the Secretary, to engage in all phases of contract authority for training purposes authorized by this section, including the granting of training fellowships. The Institute is also authorized to carry out its authority independently or in cooperation with any other branch of the Government, State agency, authority, association, institution, corporation (profit or nonprofit), any other national or international entity, or any other person.

``(e) Collection of Fees.-

``(1) General rule.-The Institute may, in accordance with this subsection, assess and collect fees solely to defray the costs of the Institute in developing and administering education and training programs under this section.

``(2) Limitation.-Fees may be assessed and collected under this subsection only in a manner which may reasonably be expected to result in the collection of fees during any fiscal year in an aggregate amount which does not exceed the aggregate amount of the costs referred to in paragraph (1) for the fiscal year.

``(3) Persons subject to fees.-Fees may be assessed and collected under this subsection only with respect to-

``(A) persons and entities for whom education or training programs are developed or administered under this section; and

``(B) persons and entities to whom education or training is provided under this section.

``(4) Amount of fees.-The fees assessed and collected under this subsection shall be established in a manner which ensures that the liability of any person or entity for a fee is reasonably based on the proportion of the costs referred to in paragraph (1) which relate to such person or entity.

``(f) Funds.-The funds required to carry out this section may be from the sums deducted for administration purposes under section 104(a). The sums provided pursuant to this subsection may be combined or held separate from the fees or memberships collected under subsection (e) and may be administered by the Secretary as a fund which shall be available until expended.

``(g) Contracts.-The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5) shall not be applicable to contracts or agreements made under the authority of this section.''.

SEC. 6003. INTERNATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION OUTREACH PROGRAM.

Chapter 3 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 325. International highway transportation outreach program

``(a) Activities.-The Secretary is authorized to engage in activities to inform the domestic highway community of technological innovations abroad that could significantly improve highway transportation in the United States, to promote United States highway transportation expertise internationally, and to increase transfers of United States highway transportation technology to foreign countries. Such activities may include-

``(1) development, monitoring, assessment, and dissemination domestically of information about foreign highway transportation innovations that could significantly improve highway transportation in the United States;

``(2) research, development, demonstration, training, and other forms of technology transfer and exchange;

``(3) informing other countries about the technical quality of American highway transportation goods and services through participation in trade shows, seminars, expositions, and other such activities;

``(4) offering those Federal Highway Administration technical services which cannot be readily obtained from the United States private sector to be incorporated into the proposals of United States firms undertaking foreign highway transportation projects if the costs for assistance will be recovered under the terms of each project; and

``(5) conducting studies to assess the need for or feasibility of highway transportation improvements in countries that are not members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development as of the date of the enactment of this section, and in Greece and Turkey.

``(b) Cooperation.-The Secretary may carry out the authority granted by this section, in cooperation with appropriate United States Government agencies and any State or local agency, authority, association, institution, corporation (profit or nonprofit), foreign government, multinational institution, or any other organization or person.

``(c) Funds.-The funds available to carry out the provisions of this section shall include funds deposited in a special account with the Secretary of the Treasury for such purposes by any cooperating organization or person. The funds shall be available for promotional materials, travel, reception and representation expenses necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this section. Reimbursements for services provided under this section shall be credited to the appropriation concerned.''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.-The analysis for chapter 3 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``325. International highway transportation outreach program.''.

SEC. 6004. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.

(a) In General.-Chapter 3 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 326. Education and training program

``(a) Authority.-The Secretary is authorized to carry out a transportation assistance program that will provide highway and transportation agencies in (1) urbanized areas of 50,000 to 1,000,000 population, and (2) rural areas, access to modern highway technology.

``(b) Grants and Contracts.-The Secretary may make grants and enter into contracts for education and training, technical assistance, and related support service that will-

``(1) assist rural local transportation agencies to develop and expand their expertise in road and transportation areas (including pavement, bridge and safety management systems), to improve roads and bridges, to enhance programs for the movement of passengers and freight, to deal effectively with special road related problems by preparing and providing training packages, manuals, guidelines, and technical resource materials, and developing a tourism and recreational travel technical assistance program;

``(2) identify, package, and deliver usable highway technology to local jurisdictions to assist urban transportation agencies in developing and expanding their ability to deal effectively with road related problems; and

``(3) establish, in cooperation with State transportation or highway departments and universities (A) urban technical assistance program centers in States with 2 or more urbanized areas of 50,000 to 1,000,000 population, and (B) rural technical assistance program centers.

Not less than 2 centers under paragraph (3) shall be designated to provide transportation assistance that may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a `circuitrider' program, providing training on intergovernmental transportation planning and project selection, and tourism recreational travel to American Indian tribal governments.

``(c) Funds.-The funds required to carry out the provisions of this section shall be taken out of administrative funds deducted under section 104(a). The sum of $6,000,000 per fiscal year for each of the fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 shall be set aside from such administrative funds for the purpose of providing technical and financial support for these centers, including up to 100 percent for services provided to American Indian tribal governments.''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.-The analysis for chapter 3 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``326. Education and training program.''.

(c) Use of Bureau of Indian Affairs' Administrative Funds.-Section 204(b) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The Secretary of Interior may reserve funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs' administrative funds associated with the Indian reservation roads program to finance the Indian technical centers authorized under section 326.''.

SEC. 6005. APPLIED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM; SEISMIC RESEARCH PROGRAM.

(a) In General.-Section 307 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsections:

``(e) Applied Research and Technology Program.-

``(1) Establishment.-The Secretary shall establish and implement in accordance with this subsection an applied research and technology program for the purpose of accelerating testing, evaluation, and implementation of technologies which are designed to improve the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety of highway, transit, and intermodal transportation systems.

``(2) Guidelines.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue guidelines to carry out this subsection. Such guidelines shall include:

``(A) Technologies.-Guidelines on the selection of both foreign and domestic technologies to be tested.

``(B) Test locations.-Guidelines on the selection of locations at which tests will be conducted. Such guidelines shall ensure that testing is conducted in a range of climatic, traffic, geographic, and environmental conditions, as appropriate for the technology being tested.

``(C) Data.-Guidelines for the scientific collection, evaluation, and dissemination of appropriate test data.

``(3) Technologies.-Technologies which may be tested under this subsection include, but are not limited to-

``(A) accelerated construction materials and procedures;

``(B) environmentally beneficial materials and procedures;

``(C) materials and techniques which provide enhanced serviceability and longevity under adverse climactic, environmental, and load effects;

``(D) technologies which increase the efficiency and productivity of vehicular travel; and

``(E) technologies and techniques which enhance the safety and accessibility of vehicular transportation systems.

``(4) Heated bridge technologies.-

``(A) Projects.-As part of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out projects to assess the state of technology with respect to heating the decks of bridges and the feasibility of, and costs and benefits associated with, heating the decks of bridges. Such projects shall be carried out by installing heating equipment on the decks of bridges which are being replaced or rehabilitated under section 144 of this title.

``(B) Minimum number of bridges.-The number of bridges for which heating equipment is installed under this subsection in a fiscal year shall not be less than 10 bridges.

``(5) Elastomer modified asphalt.-As part of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out a project in the State of New Jersey to demonstrate the environmental and safety benefits of elastomer modified asphalt.

``(6) High performance blended hydraulic cement.-As part of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out a project in the State of Missouri to demonstrate the durability and construction efficiency of high performance blended hydraulic cement.

``(7) Thin bonded overlay and surface lamination of pavement.-As part of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out projects to assess the state of technology with respect to thin bonded overlay (including inorganic bonding systems) and surface lamination of pavement, and to assess the feasibility of, and costs and benefits associated with, the repair, rehabilitation, and upgrading of highways and bridges with overlay. Such projects shall be carried out so as to minimize overlay thickness, minimize initial laydown costs, minimize time out of service, and maximize lifecycle durability.

``(8) All weather pavement markings.-As part of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out a program to demonstrate the safety and durability of all weather pavement markings.

``(9) Testing of highway technologies.-Projects carried out under this subsection to test technologies related to highways shall be carried out on highways on the Federalaid system.

``(10) Technical assistance.-The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States and localities in carrying out projects under this subsection.

``(11) Annual report.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the progress and research findings of the program carried out under this subsection.

``(12) Federal share.-The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this subsection shall not exceed 80 percent.

``(13) Funding.-The Secretary shall expend from administrative and research funds deducted under section 104(a) of this title and funds made available under section 26(a)(1) of the Federal Transit Act, ``$35,000,000 for fiscal year 1992 and $41,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 to carry out this subsection. Of such amounts, in each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997, the Secretary shall expend not less than $4,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out projects related to heated bridge technologies under paragraph (4), not less than $2,500,000 per fiscal year to carry out projects related to thin bonded overlay and surface lamination of pavements under paragraph (7), and not less than $2,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out projects related to all weather pavement markings under paragraph (8). Amounts made available under this subsection shall remain available until expended and shall not be subject to any obligation limitation.

``(f) Seismic Research Program.-

``(1) Establishment.-The Secretary shall establish a program to study the vulnerability of highways, tunnels, and bridges on the Federalaid system to earthquakes and develop and implement costeffective methods of retrofitting such highways, tunnels, and bridges to reduce such vulnerability.

``(2) Cooperation with national center for earthquake engineering research.-The Secretary shall conduct the program under this section in cooperation with the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research at the University of Buffalo.

``(3) Cooperation with agencies participating in national hazards reduction program.-The Secretary shall further conduct the program under this section in consultation and cooperation with Federal departments and agencies participating in the National Hazards Reduction Program established by section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that the program under this subsection is consistent with-

``(A) planning and coordination activities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under section 5(b)(1) of such Act; and

``(B) the plan developed by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under section 8(b) of such Act.

``(4) Funding.-Of amounts deducted under section 104(a) of this title, the Secretary shall expend not more than $2,000,000 per fiscal year in each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 to carry out this subsection.

``(5) Report.-Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the progress and research findings of the program carried out under this section.''.

(b) Highway and Bridge Conditions and Performance Report.-Section 307(h) of title 23, United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The biennial reports required under this subsection shall provide the means, including all necessary information, to relate and compare the conditions and service measures used in different years when such measures are changed.''.

SEC. 6006. BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.

Chapter I of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 111. Bureau of Transportation Statistics

``(a) Establishment.-There is established in the Department of Transportation a Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

``(b) Director.-

``(1) Appointment.-The Bureau shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

``(2) Qualifications.-The Director shall be appointed from among individuals who are qualified to serve as the Director by virtue of their training and experience in the compilation and analysis of transportation statistics.

``(3) Reporting.-The Director shall report directly to the Secretary.

``(4) Term.-The term of the Director shall be 4 years. The term of the first Director to be appointed shall begin on the 180th day after the date of the enactment of this section.

``(c) Responsibilities.-The Director of the Bureau shall be responsible for carrying out the following duties:

``(1) Compiling transportation statistics.-Compiling, analyzing, and publishing a comprehensive set of transportation statistics to provide timely summaries and totals (including industrywide aggregates and multiyear averages) of transportationrelated information. Such statistics shall be suitable for conducting costbenefit studies (including comparisons among individual transportation modes and intermodal transport systems) and shall include information on-

``(A) productivity in various parts of the transportation sector;

``(B) traffic flows;

``(C) travel times;

``(D) vehicle weights;

``(E) variables influencing traveling behavior, including choice of transportation mode;

``(F) travel costs of intracity commuting and intercity trips;

``(G) availability of mass transit and the number of passengers served by each mass transit authority;

``(H) frequency of vehicle and transportation facility _repairs and other interruptions of transportation service;

``(I) accidents;

``(J) collateral damage to the human and natural environment; and

``(K) the condition of the transportation system.

``(2) Implementing longterm data collection program.-Establishing and implementing, in cooperation with the modal administrators, the States, and other Federal officials a comprehensive, longterm program for the collection and analysis of data relating to the performance of the national transportation system. Such program shall-

``(A) be coordinated with efforts to develop performance indicators for the national transportation system undertaken pursuant to section 307(b)(3) of title 23, United States Code;

``(B) ensure that data is collected under this subsection in a manner which will maximize the ability to compare data from different regions and for different time periods; and

``(C) ensure that data collected under this subsection is controlled for accuracy and disseminated to the States and other interested parties.

``(3) Issuing guidelines.-Issuing guidelines for the collection of information by the Department of Transportation required for statistics to be compiled under paragraph (1) in order to ensure that such information is accurate, reliable, relevant, and in a form that permits systematic analysis.

``(4) Coordinating collection of information.-Coordinating the collection of information by the Department of Transportation required for statistics to be compiled under paragraph (1) with related informationgathering activities conducted by other Federal departments and agencies and collecting appropriate data not elsewhere gathered.

``(5) Making statistics accessible.-Making the statistics published under this subsection readily accessible.

``(6) Identifying information needs.-Identifying information that is needed under paragraph (1) but which is not being collected, reviewing such needs at least annually with the Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics, and making recommendations to appropriate Department of Transportation research officials concerning extramural and intramural _research programs to provide such information.

``(d) Limitations on Statutory Construction.-Nothing in this section shall be construed-

``(1) to authorize the Bureau to require any other department or agency to collect data; or

``(2) to reduce the authority of any other officer of the Department of Transportation to collect and disseminate data independently.

``(e) Prohibition on Certain Disclosures.-Information compiled by the Bureau shall not be disclosed publicly in a manner that would reveal the personal identity of any individual, consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), or to reveal trade secrets or allow commercial or financial information provided by any person to be identified with such person.

``(f) Transportation Statistics Annual Report.-On or before January 1, 1994, and annually thereafter, the Director shall transmit to the President and Congress a Transportation Statistics Annual Report which shall include information on items referred to in subsection (c)(1), documentation of methods used to obtain and ensure the quality of the statistics presented in the report, and recommendations for improving transportation statistical information.

``(g) Performance of Functions of Director Pending Confirmation.-An individual who, on the date of the enactment of this section, is performing any function required by this section to be performed by the Director may continue to perform such function until such function is undertaken by the Director.''.

(b) Funding.-There shall be available from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) only for carrying out the amendment made by subsection (a) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, $15,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1994 and 1995, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1997. Funds authorized by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.

(c) Conforming Amendment.-The analysis for chapter 1 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new items:

``Sec. 110. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

``Sec. 111. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.''.

(d) Amendment to Title 5, U.S.C.-Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.''.

SEC. 6007. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.

(a) Establishment.-The Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall establish an Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics.

(b) Function.-It shall be the function of the advisory council established under this section to advise the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on transportation statistics and analyses, including whether or not the statistics and analysis disseminated by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics are of high quality and are based upon the best available objective information.

(c) Membership.-The advisory council established under this section shall be composed of not more than 6 members appointed by the Director who are not officers or employees of the United States and who (except for 1 member who shall have expertise in economics and 1 member who shall have expertise in statistics) have expertise in transportation statistics and analysis.

(d) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.-The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall apply to the advisory council established under this section, except that section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee established under this section.

SEC. 6008. DOT DATA NEEDS.

(a) Study.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the establishment of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on the adequacy of data collection procedures and capabilities of the Department of Transportation.

(b) Consultation.-The Secretary shall enter into the agreement under subsection (a) in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

(c) Contents.-The study under subsection (a) shall include an evaluation of the Department of Transportation's data collection resources, needs, and requirements and an assessment and evaluation of the systems, capabilities, and procedures established by the Department to meet such needs and requirements, including the following:

(1) Data collection procedures and capabilities.

(2) Data analysis procedures and capabilities.

(3) Ability of data bases to integrate with one another.

(4) Computer hardware and software capabilities.

(5) Information management systems, including the ability of information management systems to integrate with one another.

(6) Availability and training of the personnel of the Department.

(7) Budgetary needs and resources of the Department for data collection.

(d) Report.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the agreement under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study under this section, including recommendations for improving the Department of Transportation's data collection systems, capabilities, procedures, and analytical hardware and software and recommendations for improving the Department's management information systems.

SEC. 6009. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.

(a) Findings.-Congress finds that-

(1) despite an annual expenditure in excess of $10,000,000,000 on surface transportation and its infrastructure, the Federal Government has not developed a clear vision of-

(A) how the surface transportation systems of the 21st century will differ from the present;

(B) how they will interface with each other and with other forms of transportation;

(C) how such systems will adjust to changing American population patterns and lifestyles; and

(D) the role of federally funded research and development in ensuring that appropriate transportation systems are developed and implemented;

(2) the population of the United States is projected to increase by over 30,000,000 people within the next 20 years, mostly in existing major metropolitan areas, which will result in increased traffic congestion within and between urban areas, more accidents, loss of productive time, and increased cost of transportation unless new technologies are developed to improve public transportation within cities and to move people and goods between cities;

(3) 18,000,000 crashes, 4,000,000 injuries, and 45,000 fatalities each year on the Nation's highways are intolerable and substantial research is required in order to develop safer technologies in their most useful and economic forms;

(4) current research and development funding for surface transportation is insufficient to provide the United States with the technologies essential to providing its own advanced transportation systems in the future and, as a result, the United States is becoming increasingly dependent on foreign surface transportation technologies and equipment to meet its expanding surface transportation needs;

(5) a more active, focused surface transportation research and development program involving cooperation among the Federal Government, United States based industry, and United States universities should be organized on a priority basis;

(6) intelligent vehicle highway systems represent the best nearterm technology for improving surface transportation for public benefit by providing equipment which can improve traffic flow and provide for enhanced safety;

(7) research and development programs related to surface transportation are fragmented and dispersed throughout government and need to be strengthened and incorporated in an integrated framework within which a consensus on the goals of a national surface transportation research and development program must be developed;

(8) the inability of government agencies to cooperate effectively, the difficulty of obtaining public support for new systems and rightsofway, and the high cost of capital financing discourage private firms from investing in the development of new transportation equipment and systems; therefore, the Federal Government should sponsor and coordinate research and development of new technologies to provide safer, more convenient, and affordable transportation systems for use in the future; and

(9) an effective high technology applied research and development program should be implemented quickly by strengthening the Department of Transportation research and development staff and by contracting with private industry for specific development projects.

(b) Surface Transportation Research and Development Plan.-

(1) Development.-The Secretary shall develop an integrated national surface transportation research and development plan (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the ``plan'').

(2) Focus.-The plan shall focus on surface transportation systems needed for urban, suburban, and rural areas in the next decade.

(3) Contents.-The plan shall include the following:

(A) Details of the Department's surface transportation research and development programs, including appropriate funding levels and a schedule with milestones, preliminary cost estimates, appropriate work scopes, personnel requirements, and estimated costs and goals for the next 3 years for each area of research and development.

(B) A 10year projection of longterm programs in surface transportation research and development and recommendations for the appropriate source or mechanism for surface transportation research and development funding, taking into account recommendations of the Research and Development Coordinating Council of the Department of Transportation and the plan of the National Council on Surface Transportation Research.

(C) Recommendations on changes needed to assure that Federal, State, and local contracting procedures encourage the adoption of advanced technologies developed as a consequence of the research programs in this Act.

(4) Objectives.-The plan shall provide for the following:

(A) The development, within the shortest period of time possible, of a range of technologies needed to produce convenient, safe, and affordable modes of surface transportation to be available for public use beginning in the mid1990's.

(B) Maintenance of a longterm advanced research and development program to provide for next generation surface transportation systems.

(5) Cooperation with industry.-A primary component of the plan shall be cooperation with industry in carrying out this part and strengthening the manufacturing capabilities of United States firms in order to produce products for surface transportation systems.

(6) Conformance with plan.-All surface transportation research and development within the Department of Transportation shall be included in the plan and shall be evaluated in accordance with the plan.

(7) Coordination.-In developing the plan and carrying out this part, the Secretary shall consult with and, where appropriate, use the expertise of other Federal agencies and their laboratories.

(8) Transmittal.-On or before January 15, 1993, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit the plan to Congress, together with the Secretary's comments and recommendations. The Secretary shall review and update the plan before each transmittal under this paragraph.

(9) Recommendations for alternatives.-In the event a different technology or alternative program can be identified that would accomplish the same or better results than those described in this part, the Secretary may make recommendations for an alternative, and shall promptly report such alternative recommendations to Congress.

SEC. 6010. NATIONAL COUNCIL ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.

(a) Establishment.-There is established a National Council on Surface Transportation Research (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``Council'').

(b) Function.-The Council shall make a complete investigation and study of current surface transportation research and technology developments in the United States and internationally. The Council shall identify gaps and duplication in current surface transportation research efforts, determine research and development areas which may increase efficiency, productivity, safety, and durability in the Nation's surface transportation systems, and propose a national surface transportation research and development plan for immediate implementation.

(c) Specific Matters To Be Addressed.-The Council shall-

(1) survey current surface transportation public and private research efforts in the United States and internationally;

(2) examine factors which lead to fragmentation of surface transportation research efforts and determine how increased coordination in such efforts may be achieved;

(3) compare the role of the Federal Government with the role of foreign governments in promoting transportation research and evaluate the appropriateness of United States policy on governmentsponsored surface transportation research;

(4) identify barriers to innovation in surface transportation systems;

(5) examine the range of funding arrangements available for surface transportation research and development and the level of resources currently available for such purposes; and

(6) identify surface transportation research areas and opportunities, including opportunities for international cooperation offering potential benefit to the Nation's surface transportation system, assess the relative priority of such research areas and plans, and develop a plan for national surface transportation research and development which includes shortrange and longrange objectives.

(d) Membership.-

(1) Appointment.-The Council shall be composed of 7 members as follows:

(A) Three members appointed by the President.

(B) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(C) One member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(D) One member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.

(E) One member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

(2) Qualifications.-

(A) In general.-Members appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be appointed from among individuals involved in surface transportation research, including representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, other public agencies, colleges and universities, public, private, and nonprofit research organizations, and organizations representing transportation providers, shippers, labor, and the financial community.

(B) International advisor.-One of the members appointed by the President pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) shall serve as an international research advisor for the Council.

(3) Terms.-Members shall be appointed for the life of the Council.

(4) Vacancies.-A vacancy in the Council shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(5) Travel expenses.-Members shall serve without pay but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

(6) Chairman.-The Chairman of the Council shall be elected by the members.

(e) Staff.-The Council may appoint and fix the pay of such personnel as it considers appropriate.

(f) Staff of Federal Agencies.-Upon request of the Council, the head of any department or agency of the United States may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Council to assist it in carrying out its duties under this section.

(g) Administrative Support Services.-Upon the request of the Council, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Council, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Council to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

(h) Obtaining Official Data.-The Council may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary for it to carry out its duties under this section. Upon request of the Council, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Council.

(i) Report.-Not later than September 30, 1993, the Council shall transmit to Congress a final report on the results of the investigation and study conducted under this section. The report shall _include recommendations of the Council, including a proposed national surface transportation research plan for immediate implementation.

(j) Termination.-The Council shall terminate on the 180th day following the date of transmittal of the report under subsection (i). All records and papers of the Council shall thereupon be delivered to the Administrator of General Services for deposit in the National Archives.

SEC. 6011. RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

(a) Establishment.-Not later than 180 days after the date of transmittal of the report to Congress under section 6010, the Secretary shall establish an independent surface transportation research advisory committee (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``advisory committee'').

(b) Purposes.-The advisory committee shall provide ongoing advice and recommendations to the Secretary regarding needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments with respect to shortterm and longterm surface transportation research and development. The advisory committee shall also assist in ensuring that such research and development is coordinated with similar research and development being conducted outside of the Department of Transportation.

(c) Membership.-The advisory committee shall be composed of not less than 20 and not more than 30 members appointed by the Secretary from among individuals who are not employees of the Department of Transportation and who are specially qualified to serve on the advisory committee by virtue of their education, training, or experience. A majority of the members of the advisory committee shall be individuals with experience in conducting surface transportation research and development. The Secretary in appointing the members of the advisory committee shall ensure that representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, other public agencies, colleges and universities, public, private, and nonprofit research organizations, and organizations representing transportation providers, shippers, labor, and the financial community are represented on an equitable basis.

(d) Chairman.-The chairman of the advisory committee shall be designated by the Secretary.

(e) Pay and Expenses.-Members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay, except that the Secretary may allow any member, while engaged in the business of the advisory committee or a subordinate committee, travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

(f) Subordinate Committees.-The Secretary shall establish a subordinate committee to the advisory committee to provide advice on advanced highway vehicle technology research and development, and may establish other subordinate committees to provide advice on specific areas of surface transportation research and development. Such subordinate committees shall be subject to subsections (e), (g), and (i) of this section.

(g) Assistance of Secretary.-Upon request of the advisory committee, the Secretary shall provide such information, administrative services, support staff, and supplies as the Secretary determines to be necessary for the advisory committee to carry out its functions.

(h) Reports.-The advisory committee shall, within 1 year after the date of establishment of the advisory committee, and annually thereafter, submit to the Congress a report summarizing its activities under this section.

(i) Termination.-Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the advisory committee established under this section.

SEC. 6012. COMMEMORATION OF DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS.

(a) Study.-The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine an appropriate symbol or emblem to be placed on highway signs referring to the Interstate System to commemorate the vision of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in creating the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

(b) Report.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study under this section.

SEC. 6013. STATE LEVEL OF EFFORT.

(a) Study.-Not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall begin a comprehensive study of the most appropriate and accurate methods of calculating State level of effort in funding surface transportation programs.

(b) Contents.-The study under subsection (a) shall include collection of data relating to State and local revenues collected and spent on surface transportation programs. Such revenues include income from fuel taxes, toll revenues (including bridge, tunnel, and ferry tolls), sales taxes, general fund appropriations, property taxes, bonds, administrative fees, taxes on commercial vehicles, and such other State and local revenue sources as the Director of the Bureau considers appropriate.

(c) Report.-Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Director of the Bureau shall transmit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study under this section, including recommendations on the most appropriate measure of State level of effort in funding surface transportation programs and comprehensive data, by State, on revenue sources and amounts collected by States and local governments and devoted to surface transportation programs.

SEC. 6014. EVALUATION OF STATE PROCUREMENT PRACTICES.

(a) Study.-The Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate whether or not current procurement practices of State departments and agencies, including statistical acceptance procedures, are adequate to ensure that highway and transit systems are designed, constructed, and maintained so as to achieve a high quality for such systems at the lowest overall cost.

(b) Report.-Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under this section, together with an assessment of the need for establishing a national policy on transportation quality assurance and recommendations for appropriate legislative and administrative actions.

SEC. 6015. BORDER CROSSINGS.

(a) Identification.-The Secretary, in cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall identify existing and emerging trade corridors and transportation subsystems that facilitate trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

(b) Priorities and Recommendations.-The Secretary shall investigate and develop priorities and recommendations for rail, highway, water, and air freight centers and all highway border crossings for States adjoining Canada and Mexico, including the Gulf of Mexico States and other States whose transportation subsystems affect the trade corridors. The recommendations shall provide for improvement and integration of transportation corridor subsystems, methods for achieving the optimum yield from such subsystems, methods for increasing productivity, methods for increasing the use of advanced technologies, and methods to encourage the use of innovative marketing techniques, such as justintime deliveries.

(c) Minimum Elements.-The highway border crossing assessment under this section shall at a minimum-

(1) determine whether or not the border crossings are in compliance with current Federal highway regulations and adequately designed for future growth and expansion;

(2) assess their ability to accommodate increased commerce due to the United StatesCanada Free Trade Agreement and increased trade between the United States and Mexico; and

(3) assess their ability to accommodate increasing tourismrelated traffic between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The review shall specifically address issues related to the alignment of United States and adjoining Canadian and Mexican highways at the border crossings, the development of bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways, and potential energy savings to be realized by decreasing truck delays at the border crossings and related parking improvements.

(d) Consultation.-In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate Governors and representatives of the Republic of Mexico and Canada.

(e) Report.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to Congress and border State Governors on transportation infrastructure needs, associated costs, and economic impacts identified and propose an agenda to develop systemwide integration of services for national benefits.

SEC. 6016. FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES OF ASPHALTS AND MODIFIED _ASPHALTS.

(a) Studies.-The Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``Administrator'') shall conduct studies of the fundamental chemical property and physical property of petroleum asphalts and modified asphalts used in highway construction in the United States. Such studies shall emphasize predicting pavement performance from the fundamental and rapidly measurable properties of asphalts and modified asphalts.

(b) Contracts.-To carry out the studies under subsection (a), the Administrator shall enter into contracts with the Western Research Institute of the University of Wyoming in order to conduct the necessary technical and analytical research in coordination with existing programs which evaluate actual performance of asphalts and modified asphalts in roadways, including the Strategic Highway Research Program.

(c) Activities of Studies.-The studies under subsection (a) shall include the following activities:

(1) Fundamental composition studies.

(2) Fundamental physical and rheological property studies.

(3) Asphaltaggregate interaction studies.

(4) Coordination of composition studies, physical and rheological property studies, and asphaltaggregate interaction studies for the purposes of predicting pavement performance, including refinements of Strategic Highway Research Program specifications.

(d) Test Strip.-

(1) Implementation.-The Administrator, in coordination with the Western Research Institute of the University of _Wyoming, shall implement a test strip for the purpose of demonstrating and evaluating the unique energy and environmental advantages of using shale oil modified asphalts under extreme climatic conditions.

(2) Funding.-For the purposes of construction activities related to this test strip, the Secretary and the Director of the National Park Service shall make up to $1,000,000 available from amounts made available from the authorization for parkroads and parkways.

(3) Report to congress.-Not later than November 30, 1995, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress as part of a report under subsection (e) the Administrator's findings on activities conducted under this subsection, including an evaluation of the test strip implemented under this subsection and recommendations for legislation to establish a national program to support United States transportation and energy security requirements.

(e) Annual Report to Congress.-Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and on or before November 30th of each year beginning thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report of the progress made in implementing this section.

(f) Authorization of Appropriations.-The Secretary shall expend from administrative and research funds deducted under section 104(a) of this title at least $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 to carry out subsection (b).

SEC. 6017. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION.

Section 301(6) of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated by section 502(a) of this Act, is amended by inserting ``, and including basic highway vehicle science'' after ``to aircraft noise''.

SEC. 6018. PURPOSES OF DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Section 101(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, through research and development or otherwise'' after ``advances in transportation''.

SEC. 6019. ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE CONFERENCE AND AWARD.

The StevensonWydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 is amended by inserting after section 17 the following new sections, and by redesignating subsequent sections and all references thereto accordingly:

``SEC. 18. CONFERENCE ON ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES.

``Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, in consultation with other appropriate officials, shall convene a conference of domestic motor vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, Federal laboratories, and motor vehicle users to explore ways in which cooperatively they can improve the competitiveness of the United States motor vehicle industry by developing new technologies which will enhance the safety and energy savings, and lessen the environmental impact of domestic motor vehicles, and the results of such conference shall be published and then submitted to the President and to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

``SEC. 19. ADVANCED MOTOR VEHICLE RESEARCH AWARD.

``(a) Establishment.-There is established a National Award for the Advancement of Motor Vehicle Research and Development. The award shall consist of a medal, and a cash prize if funding is available for the prize under subsection (c). The medal shall be of such design and materials and bear inscriptions as is determined by the Secretary of Transportation.

``(b) Making and Presenting Award.-The Secretary of Transportation shall periodically make and present the award to domestic motor vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, or Federal laboratory personnel who, in the opinion of the Secretary of Transportation, have substantially improved domestic motor vehicle research and development in safety, energy savings, or environmental impact. No person may receive the award more than once every 5 years.

``(c) Funding for Award.-The Secretary of Transportation may seek and accept gifts of money from private sources for the purpose of making cash prize awards under this section. Such money may be used only for that purpose, and only such money may be used for that purpose.''.

SEC. 6020. UNDERGROUND PIPELINES.

(a) Study.-The Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility, costs, and benefits of constructing and operating pneumatic capsule pipelines for underground movement of commodities other than hazardous liquids and gas.

(b) Report.-Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 6021. BUS TESTING.

(a) Definition of New Bus Model.-Section 12(h) of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. 1608(h)) is amended by inserting ``(including any model using alternative fuels)'' after ``means a bus model''.

(b) Duties of Bus Testing Facility.-Section 317(b)(1) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (49 U.S.C. App. 1608 note) is amended-

(1) by inserting ``(including braking performance)'' after ``performance''; and

(2)~~ by~~ inserting~~ ``emissions,''~~ after~~ ``fuel~~ economy,''.

(c) Funding.-The first sentence of section 317(b)(5) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 is amended by inserting before the period at the~~~ end the~~~ following: ``, for expansion of such facility $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1992, and for establishment of a revolving fund under paragraph (6) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1992''.

(d) Revolving Loan Fund.-Section 317(b) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(6) Revolving loan fund.-The Secretary shall establish a bus testing revolving loan fund with amounts authorized for such purpose under paragraph (5). The Secretary shall make available as repayable advances amounts from the fund to the person described in paragraph (3) for operating and maintaining the facility.''.

SEC. 6022. NATIONAL TRANSIT INSTITUTE.

The Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. App. 1601m1621) is amended by adding after section 28 the following new section:

``SEC. 29. NATIONAL TRANSIT INSTITUTE.

``(a) Establishment.-The Secretary shall make grants to Rutgers University to establish a national transit institute. The institute shall develop and administer, in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration, State transportation departments, public transit agencies, and national and international entities, training programs of instruction for Federal, State, and local transportation employees, United States citizens, and foreign nationals engaged or to be engaged in Federalaid transit work. Such programs may include courses in recent developments, techniques, and procedures relating to transit planning, management, environmental factors, acquisition and joint use of rightsofway, engineering, procurement strategies for transit systems, turnkey approaches to implementing transit systems, new technologies, emission reduction technologies, means of making transit accessible to individuals with disabilities, construction, maintenance, contract administration, and inspection. The Secretary shall delegate to the institute the authority vested in the Secretary for the development and conduct of educational and training programs relating to transit.

``(b) Funding.-Not to exceed onehalf of 1 percent of all funds made available for a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1991, to a State or public transit agency in the State for carrying out sections 3 and 9 of the Federal Transit Act shall be available for expenditure by the State and public transit agencies in the State, subject to approval by the Secretary, for payment of not to exceed 80 percent of the cost of tuition and direct educational expenses in connection with the education and training of State and local transportation department~~~ employees~~~ as provided~~~ in this section.

``(c) Provision of Training.-Education and training of Federal, State, and local transportation employees authorized by this section shall be provided-

``(1) by the Secretary at no cost to the States and local governments for those subject areas which are a Federal program responsibility; or

``(2) in any case where such education and training are to be paid for under subsection (b) of this section, by the State, subject to the approval of the Secretary, through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, other institutions, individuals, and the institute.

``(d) Funding.-The Secretary shall make available in equal amounts from funds provided under section 21(c)(3) and 21(c)(4) $3,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 for carrying out this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, approval by the Secretary of a grant with funds made available under this subsection shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the United States for payment of the Federal share of the cost of the project.''.

SEC. 6023. UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.

(a) Additional Responsibility.-Section 11(b)(2) of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. App. 1607c(b)(2)) is amended by inserting ``transportation safety and'' after ``training concerning''.

(b) Establishment of New Centers; Program Coordination.-Section 11(b) of such Act (49 U.S.C. App. 1607c(b)) is amended by striking paragraphs (7) and (8), by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10) as paragraphs (14) and (15), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraphs:

``(7) National center.-To accelerate the involvement and participation of minority individuals and women in transportationrelated professions, particularly in the science, technology, and engineering disciplines, the Secretary shall make grants under this section to Morgan State University to establish a national center for transportation management, research, and development. Such center shall give special attention to the design, development, and implementation of research, training, and technology transfer activities to increase the number of highly skilled minority individuals and women entering the transportation workforce.

``(8) Center for transportation and industrial productivity.-

``(A) In general.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section to the New Jersey Institute of Technology to establish and operate a center for transportation and industrial productivity. Such center shall conduct research and development activities which focus on methods to increase surface transportation capacity, reduce congestion, and reduce costs for transportation system users and providers through the use of transportation management systems.

``(B) James and marlene howard transportation information center.-

``(i) Grant.-The Secretary shall make a grant to Monmouth College, West Long Branch, New Jersey, for modification and reconstruction of Building Number 500 at Monmouth College.

``(ii) Assurances.-Before making a grant under clause (i), the Secretary shall receive assurances from Monmouth College that-

``(I) the building referred to in clause (i) will be known and designated as the `James and Marlene Howard Transportation Information Center'; and

``(II) transportationrelated instruction and research in the fields of computer science, electronic engineering, mathematics, and software engineering conducted at the building referred to in clause (i) will be coordinated with the Center for Transportation and Industrial Productivity at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

``(iii) Authorization of appropriations.-There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $2,242,000 in fiscal year 1992 for making the grant under clause (i).

``(iv) Applicability of title 23.-Funds authorized by clause (iii) shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; except that the Federal share of the cost of activities conducted with the grant under clause (i) shall be 80 percent and such funds shall remain available until expended. Funds authorized by clause (iii) shall not be subject to any obligation limitation.

``(9) National rural transportation study center.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section to the University of Arkansas to establish a national rural transportation center. Such center shall conduct research, training, and technology transfer activities in the development, management, and operation of intermodal transportation systems in rural areas.

``(10) National center for advanced transportation technology.-

``(A) In general.-The Secretary shall make grants under paragraph (10) to the University of Idaho to establish a National Center for Advanced Transportation technology. Such center shall be established and operated in partnership with private industry and shall conduct industry driven research and development activities which focus on transportationrelated manufacturing and engineering processes, materials, and equipment.

``(B) Grants.-The Secretary shall make grants to the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, for planning, design, and construction of a building in which the research and development activities of the National Center for Advanced Transportation Technology may be conducted.

``(C) Authorization of appropriations.-There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1992, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, and $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1994 for making the grants under subparagraph (B).

``(D) Applicability of title 23.-Funds authorized by subparagraph (C) shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share of the cost of activities conducted with the grant under subparagraph (B) shall be 80 percent and such funds shall remain available until expended. Funds authorized by subparagraph (B) shall not be subject to any obligation limitation.

``(E) Applicability of grant requirements.-Any grant entered into under this paragraph shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

``(11) Program coordination.-

``(A) In general.-The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of research, education, training, and technology transfer activities carried out by grant recipients under this subsection, the dissemination of the results of such research, and the establishment and operation of a clearinghouse between such centers and the transportation industry. The Secretary shall review and evaluate programs carried out by such grant~~~ recipients at~~~ least annually.

``(B) Funding.-Not to exceed 1 percent of the funds made available from Federal sources to carry out this subsection may be used by the Secretary to carry out this paragraph.

``(12) Obligation ceiling.-Amounts authorized out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this subsection shall be subject to obligation limitations established by section 102 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

``(13) Authorizations.-There shall be available from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1992 and $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1993 through 1997. Notwithstanding any other~~~ provision of law,~~~ approval by~~~ the Secretary of a grant under this section shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the United States for payment of the Federal share of the cost of the project.''.

SEC. 6024. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTES.

Section 11 of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. App. 1607c) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(c) University Research Institutes.-

``(1) Institute for national surface transportation policy studies.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section to San Jose State University to establish and operate an institute for national surface transportation policy studies. Such institute shall-

``(A) include both male and female students of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds who are seeking careers in the development and operations of surface transportation programs; and

``(B) conduct research and development activities to analyze ways of improving aspects of the development and~~~ operation of~~~ the~~~ Nation's surface transportation programs.

``(2) Infrastructure technology institute.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section~~~ to~~~ Northwestern~~~ University~~~ to~~~ establish~~~ and _operate an institute for the study of techniques to evaluate and monitor infrastructure conditions, improve information systems for infrastructure construction and management, and study advanced materials and automated processes for construction and rehabilitation of public works facilities.

``(3) Urban transit institute.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section to North Carolina A. and T. State University through the Institute for Transportation Research and Education and the University of South Florida and a consortium of Florida A and M, Florida State University, and Florida International University to establish and operate an interdisciplinary institute for the study and dissemination of techniques to address the diverse transportation problems of urban areas experiencing significant and rapid growth.

``(4) Institute for intelligent vehiclehighway concepts.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section to the University of Minnesota, Center for Transportation Studies, to establish and operate a national institute for intelligent vehiclehighway concepts. Such institute shall conduct research and recommend development activities which focus on methods to increase roadway capacity, enhance safety, and reduce negative environmental effects of transportation facilities through the use of intelligent vehiclehighway systems technologies.

``(5) Institute for transportation research and education.-The Secretary shall make grants under this section to the University of North Carolina to conduct research and development and to direct technology transfer and training for State and local transportation agencies to improve the overall surface transportation infrastructure.

``(6) Funding.-There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account, for each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 $250,000 per fiscal year to carry out paragraph (1), $3,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out paragraph (2), $1,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out paragraph (3), $1,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out paragraph (4), and $1,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out paragraph (5).

``(7) Applicability of title 23.-Funds authorized by this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.''.

_ H5 PART B-INTELLIGENT VEHICLEHIGHWAY SYSTEMS ACT

SEC. 6051. SHORT TITLE.

This part may be cited as the ``Intelligent VehicleHighway Systems Act of 1991''.

SEC. 6052. ESTABLISHMENT AND SCOPE OF PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.-Subject to the provisions of this part, the Secretary shall conduct a program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent vehiclehighway systems and promote implementation of such systems as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems.

(b) Goals.-The goals of the program to be carried out under this part shall include, but not be limited to-

(1) the widespread implementation of intelligent vehiclehighway systems to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and safety of the Federalaid highway system and to serve as an alternative to additional physical capacity of the Federalaid highway system;

(2) the enhancement, through more efficient use of the Federalaid highway system, of the efforts of the several States to attain air quality goals established pursuant to the Clean Air Act;

(3) the enhancement of safe and efficient operation of the Nation's highway systems with a particular emphasis on aspects of systems that will increase safety and identification of aspects of the system that may degrade safety;

(4) the development and promotion of intelligent vehiclehighway systems and an intelligent vehiclehighway systems industry in the United States, using authority provided under section 307 of title 23, United States Code;

(5) the reduction of societal, economic, and environmental costs associated with traffic congestion;

(6) the enhancement of United States industrial and economic competitiveness and productivity by improving the free flow of people and commerce and by establishing a significant United States presence in an emerging field of technology;

(7) the development of a technology base for intelligent vehiclehighway systems and the establishment of the capability to perform demonstration experiments, using existing national laboratory capabilities where appropriate; and

(8) the facilitation of the transfer of transportation technology from national laboratories to the private sector.

SEC. 6053. GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Cooperation.-In carrying out the program under this part, the Secretary shall foster use of the program as a key component of the Nation's surface transportation systems and strive to transfer federally owned or patented technology to State and local governments and the United States private sector. As appropriate, in carrying out the program under this part, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the heads of other interested Federal departments and agencies and shall maximize the involvement of the United States private sector, colleges and universities, and State and local governments in all aspects of the program, including design, conduct (including operations and maintenance), evaluation, and financial or inkind participation.

(b) Standards.-The Secretary shall develop and implement standards and protocols to promote the widespread use and evaluation of intelligent vehiclehighway systems technology as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems. To the extent practicable, such standards and protocols shall promote compatibility among intelligent vehiclehighway systems technologies implemented throughout the States. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may use the services of such existing standardssetting organizations as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(c) Evaluation Guidelines.-The Secretary shall establish guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of field and related operational tests carried out pursuant to section 6055. Any survey, questionnaire, or interview which the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the evaluation of such tests shall not be subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

(d) Information Clearinghouse.-

(1) Establishment.-The Secretary shall establish and maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects carried out pursuant to this part and shall make, upon request, such information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.

(2) Delegation of authority.-The Secretary may delegate the responsibility of the Secretary under this subsection, with continuing oversight by the Secretary, to an appropriate entity not within the Department of Transportation. If the Secretary delegates such responsibility, the entity to which such responsibility is delegated shall be eligible for Federal assistance under this part.

(e) Advisory Committees.-The Secretary may utilize one or more advisory committees in carrying out this part. Any advisory committee so utilized shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Funding provided for any such committee shall be available from moneys appropriated for advisory committees as specified in relevant appropriations Acts and from funds allocated for research, development, and implementation activities in connection with the intelligent vehiclehighway systems program under this part.

SEC. 6054. STRATEGIC PLAN, IMPLEMENTATION,~~~ AND REPORT~~~ TO~~~ CONGRESS.

(a) Strategic Plan.-

(1) Development and implementation.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop, submit to Congress, and commence implementation of a plan for the intelligent vehiclehighway systems _program.

(2) Scope.-The plan shall-

(A) specify the goals, objectives, and milestones of the intelligent vehiclehighway program and how specific projects relate to the goals, objectives, and milestones, including consideration of the 5 10 and 20year timeframes for the goals and objectives;

(B) detail the status of and challenges and nontechnical constraints facing the program;

(C) establish a course of action necessary to achieve the program's goals and objectives;

(D) provide for the development of standards and _protocols to promote and ensure compatibility in the implementation of intelligent vehiclehighway systems technologies; and

(E) provide for the accelerated use of advanced technology to reduce traffic congestion along heavily populated and traveled corridors.

(b) Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems.-The Secretary shall develop an automated highway and vehicle prototype from which future fully automated intelligent vehiclehighway systems can be developed. Such development shall include research in human factors to ensure the success of the manmachine relationship. The goal of this program is to have the first fully automated roadway or an automated test track in operation by 1997. This system shall accommodate installation of equipment in new and existing motor vehicles.

(c) Implementation Reports.-

(1) In general.-Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a~~~ report on~~~ implementation~~~ of the plan developed under subsection (a).

(2) Scope of implementation reports.-In preparing reports under this subsection, the Secretary shall-

(A) analyze the possible and actual accomplishments of intelligent vehiclehighway systems projects in achieving congestion, safety, environmental, and energy conservation goals and objectives of the program;

(B) specify costsharing arrangements made, including the scope and nature of Federal investment, in any research, development, or implementation project under the program;

(C) assess nontechnical problems and constraints identified as a result of each such implementation project; and

(D) include, if appropriate, any recommendations of the Secretary for legislation or modification to the plan developed under subsection (a).

(d) Nontechnical Constraints.-

(1) Report to congress.-In cooperation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report to Congress addressing the nontechnical constraints and barriers to implementation of the intelligent vehiclehighway systems program.

(2) Scope of report.-The report shall-

(A) address antitrust, privacy, educational and staffing needs, patent, liability, standards, and other constraints, barriers, or concerns relating to the intelligent vehiclehighway systems program;

(B) recommend legislative and administrative actions necessary to further the program; and

(C) address ways to further promote industry and State and local government involvement in the program.

(3) Update of report.-Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the~~~ Secretary~~~ shall~~~ prepare and~~~ submit~~~ to~~~ Congress~~~ an~~~ update~~~ of the report under this subsection.

SEC. 6055. TECHNICAL, PLANNING, AND OPERATIONAL TESTING PROJECT ASSISTANCE.

(a) Technical Assistance and Information.-The Secretary may provide planning and technical assistance and information to State and local governments seeking to use and evaluate intelligent vehiclehighway systems technologies. In doing so, the Secretary shall assist State and local officials in developing plans for areawide traffic management control centers, necessary laws pertaining to establishment and implementation of such systems, and plans for infrastructure for such systems and in conducting other activities necessary for the intelligent vehiclehighway systems program.

(b) Planning Grants.-The Secretary may make grants to State and local governments for feasibility and planning studies for development and implementation of intelligent vehiclehighway systems. Such grants shall be made at such time, in such amounts, and subject to such conditions as the Secretary may determine.

(c) Eligibility of Certain Traffic Management Entities.-Any interagency traffic and incident management entity, including independent public authorities or agencies, contracted by a State department of transportation for implementation of a traffic management system for a designated corridor is eligible to receive Federal assistance under this part through the State department of transportation.

(d) Operational Testing Projects.-The Secretary may make grants to nonFederal entities, including State and local governments, universities, and other persons, for operational tests relating to intelligent vehiclehighway systems. In deciding which projects to fund under this subsection, the Secretary shall-

(1) give the highest priority to those projects that-

(A) will contribute to the goals and objectives specified in plan developed under section 6054; and

(B) will minimize the relative percentage of Federal contributions (excluding funds apportioned under section 104 of title 23, United States Code) to total project costs;

(2) seek to fund operational tests that advance the current state of knowledge and, where appropriate, build on successes achieved in previously funded work involving such systems; and

(3) require that operational tests utilizing Federal funds under this part have a written evaluation of the intelligent vehiclehighway systems technologies investigated and of the results of the investigation which is consistent with the guidelines developed pursuant to section 6053(c).

(e) Authority To Use Funds.-Each State and eligible local entity is authorized to use funds provided under this part for implementation purposes in connection with the intelligent vehiclehighway systems program.

SEC. 6056. APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY.

(a) IVHS Corridors Program.-The Secretary shall designate transportation corridors in which application of intelligent vehiclehighway systems will have particular benefit and, through financial and technical assistance under this part, shall assist in the development and implementation of such systems.

(b) Priorities.-In providing funding for corridors under this section, the Secretary shall allocate not less than 50 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section to eligible State or local entities for application of intelligent vehiclehighway systems in not less than 3 but not more than 10 corridors with the following characteristics:

(1) Traffic density (as a measurement of vehicle miles traveled per highway mile) at least 1.5 times the national average for such class of highway.

(2) Severe or extreme nonattainment for ozone under the Clean Air Act, as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(3) A variety of types of transportation facilities, such as highways, bridges, tunnels, and toll and nontoll facilities.

(4) Inability to significantly expand capacity of existing surface transportation facilities.

(5) A significant mix of passenger, transit, and commercial motor carrier traffic.

(6) Complexity of traffic patterns.

(7) Potential contribution to the implementation of the Secretary's plan developed under section 6054.

(c) Other Corridors and Areas.-After the allocation pursuant to subsection (b), the balance of funds made available to carry out this section shall be allocated to eligible State and local entities for application of intelligent vehiclehighway systems in corridors and areas where the application of such systems and associated technologies will make a potential contribution to the implementation of the Secretary's plan for the intelligent vehiclehighway systems program under section 6054 and demonstrate benefits related to any of the following:

(1) Improved operational efficiency.

(2) Reduced regulatory burden.

(3) Improved commercial productivity.

(4) Improved safety.

(5) Enhanced motorist and traveler performance.

Such corridors and areas may be in both urban and rural areas and may be interstate and intercity corridors. Urban corridors shall have a significant number of the characteristics set forth in _subsection (b).

SEC. 6057. COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY.

(a) Study.-The Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate technology which is designed for installation on a commercial motor vehicle to provide the individual operating the vehicle with a warning if a turn, lane change, or other intended movement of the vehicle by the operator will place the vehicle in the path of an adjacent object or vehicle.

(b) Report.-Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report containing findings and recommendations concerning the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 6058. FUNDING.

(a) IVHS Corridors Program.-There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out section 6056, out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), $71,000,000 for fiscal year 1992 and $86,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1993 through 1997. In addition to amounts made available by subsection (b), any amounts authorized by this subsection and not allocated by the Secretary for carrying out section 6056 for fiscal years 1992 and 1993 may be used by the Secretary for carrying out other activities authorized under this part.

(b) Other IVHS Activities.-There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this part (other than section 6056), out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), $23,000,000 for fiscal year 1992 and $27,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1993 through 1997.

(c) Reservation of Funds.-Of the funds made available pursuant to subsection (a), not less than 5 percent shall only be available for innovative, highrisk operational or analytical tests that do not attract substantial nonFederal commitments but are determined by the Secretary as having significant potential to help accomplish longterm goals established by the plan developed pursuant to section 6054.

(d) Federal Share Payable.-The Federal share payable on account of activities carried out under this part shall not exceed 80 percent of the cost of such activities. The Secretary may waive application of the preceding sentence for projects undertaken pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The Secretary shall seek maximum private participation in the funding of such activities.

(e) Applicability of Title 23.-Funds authorized by this section shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; except that the Federal share of the cost of any activity under this section shall be determined in accordance with this section and such funds shall remain available until expended. Such funds shall be subject to the obligation limitation imposed by section 102 of this Act.

SEC. 6059. DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) IVHS.-The term ``intelligent vehiclehighway systems'' means the development or application of electronics, communications, or information processing (including advanced traffic management systems, commercial vehicle operations, advanced traveler information systems, commercial and advanced vehicle control systems, advanced public transportation systems, satellite vehicle tracking systems, and advanced vehicle communications systems) used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems.

(2) Corridor.-The term ``corridor'' means any major transportation route which includes parallel limited access highways, major arterials, or transit lines; and, with regard to traffic incident management, such term may include more distant transportation routes that can serve as viable options to each other in the event of traffic incidents.

(3) State.-The term ``State'' has the meaning such term has under section 101 of title 23, United States Code.

_ H5 PART C-ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

SEC. 6071. ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND ELECTRIC _VEHICLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIA.

(a) General Authority.-

(1) Proposal.-Not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, an eligible consortium may submit to the Secretary a proposal for receiving grants made available under this section for electric vehicle and advanced transportation research and development.

(2) Contents of proposal.-A proposal submitted under paragraph (1) shall include-

(A) a description of the eligible consortium making the proposal;

(B) a description of the type of additional members targeted for inclusion in the consortium;

(C) a description of the eligible consor_tium's ability to contribute significantly to the development of vehicles, transportation systems, or related subsystems and equipment, that are competitive in the commercial market and its ability to enable serial production processes;

(D) a description of the eligible consortium's financing scheme and business plan, including any projected contributions of State and local governments and other parties;

(E) assurances, by letter of credit or other acceptable means, that the eligible consortium is able to meet the requirement contained in subsection (b)(6); and

(F) any other information the Secretary requires in order to make selections under this section.

(3) Grant authority.-Except as provided in paragraph (4), not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award grants to not less than 3 eligible consortia. No one eligible consortium may receive more than onethird of the funds made available for grants under this section.

(4) Extension.-If fewer than 3 complete applications from eligible consortia have been received in time to permit the awarding of grants under paragraph (3), the Secretary may extend the deadlines for the submission of applications and the awarding of grants.

(b) Eligibility Criteria.-To be qualified to receive assistance under this section, an eligible consortium shall-

(1) be organized for the purpose of designing and developing electric vehicles and advanced transportation systems, or related systems or equipment, or for the purpose of enabling serial production processes;

(2) facilitate the participation in the consortium of small and mediumsized businesses in conjunction with large established manufacturers, as appropriate;

(3) to the extent practicable, include participation in the consortium of defense and aerospace suppliers and manufacturers;

(4) to the extent practicable, include participation in the consortium of entities located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act;

(5) be designed to use State and Federal funding to attract private capital in the form of grants or investments to further the purposes stated in paragraph (1); and

(6) ensure that at least 50 percent of the costs of the consortium, subject to the requirements of subsection (a)(3), be provided by nonFederal sources.

(c) Services.-Services to be performed by an eligible consortium using amounts from grants made available under this part shall include-

(1) obtaining funding for the acquisition of plant sites, conversion of plant facilities, and acquisition of equipment for the development or manufacture of advanced transportation systems or electric vehicles, or other related systems or equipment, especially for environmentally benign and costeffective manufacturing processes;

(2) obtaining lowcost, longterm loans or investments for the purposes described in paragraph (1);

(3) recruiting and training individuals for electric vehicle and transitrelated technical design, manufacture, conversion, and maintenance;

(4) conducting marketing surveys for services provided by the consortium;

(5) creating electronic access to an inventory of industry suppliers and serving as a clearinghouse for such information;

(6) consulting with respect to applicable or proposed Federal motor vehicle safety standards;

(7) creating access to computer architecture needed to simulate crash testing and to design internal subsystems and related infrastructure for electric vehicles and advanced transportation systems to meet applicable standards; and

(8) creating access to computer protocols that are compatible with larger manufacturers' systems to enable small and mediumsized suppliers to compete for contracts for advanced transportation systems and electric vehicles and other related systems and equipment.

SEC. 6072. DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) Advanced transportation system.-The term ``advanced transportation system'' means a system of mass transportation, such as an electric trolley bus or alternative fuels bus, which employs advanced technology in order to function cleanly and efficiently;

(2) Electric vehicle.-The term ``electric vehicle'' means a passenger vehicle, such as a van, _primarily powered by an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other sources of electrical current, and that may include a nonelectrical source of supplemental power; and

(3) Eligible consortium.-The term ``eligible consortium'' means a consortium of-

(A) businesses incorporated in the United States;

(B) public or private educational or research organizations located in the United States;

(C) entities of State or local governments in the United States; or

(D) Federal laboratories.

SEC. 6073. FUNDING.

Funds shall be made available to carry out this part as provided in section 21(b)(3)(E) of the Federal Transit Act.