A pilot cooperative research program focused on hazardous materials transportation was authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and managed by the National Academies, acting through its Transportation Research Board (TRB).

PHMSA conducts and support research to support regulatory and enforcement activities and to provide the technical and analytical foundation necessary for planning, evalating, and implementing the pipeline safety program. PHMSA is sponsioring research and development projedcts focused on providing near-term solutions that will increase the safety, ccleanliness, and realability of the Nation's pipeline system.