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23 U.S.C. § 507

Section 507 · Surface transportation-environmental cooperative research program

Current version, with additions and removals from the June 9, 1998 version.

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Current — August 10, 2005
As of June 9, 1998
(a) In General.—The Secretary shall establish and carry out a surface transportation-environment cooperative research program.
(a) In General.—The Secretary shall establish and carry out a surface transportation-environmental cooperative research program.
(b) Contents.—The program to be carried out under this section shall include research designed—
(b) Contents.—The program carried out under this section may include research—
(1) to develop more accurate models for evaluating transportation control measures and transportation system designs that are appropriate for use by State and local governments, including metropolitan planning organizations, in designing implementation plans to meet Federal, State, and local environmental requirements;
(1) to develop more accurate models for evaluating transportation control measures and transportation system designs that are appropriate for use by State and local governments (including metropolitan planning organizations) in designing implementation plans to meet Federal, State, and local environmental requirements;
(2) to improve understanding of the factors that contribute to the demand for transportation, including transportation system design, demographic change, land use planning, and communications and other information technologies;
(2) to improve understanding of the factors that contribute to the demand for transportation;

(3) to develop indicators of economic, social, and environmental performance of transportation systems to facilitate analysis of potential alternatives;

(3) to develop indicators of economic, social, and environmental performance of transportation systems to facilitate analysis of potential alternatives;

(4) to study the relationship between highway density and ecosystem integrity, including the impacts of highway density on habitat integrity and overall ecosystem health, and develop a rapid assessment methodology for use by transportation and regulatory agencies in determining the relationship between highway density and ecosystem integrity; and

(5) to meet additional priorities as determined by the advisory board established under subsection (c), including recommendations of the National Research Council in the report entitled “Environmental Research Needs in Transportation”.

(c) Advisory Board.—

(1) Establishment.—In consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, the Secretary shall establish an advisory board to recommend environmental and energy conservation research, technology, and technology transfer activities related to surface transportation.

(2) Membership.—The advisory board shall include—

(A) representatives of State transportation and environmental agencies;

(B) transportation and environmental scientists and engineers; and

(C) representatives of metropolitan planning organizations, transit operating agencies, and environmental organizations.

(4) to meet additional priorities as determined by the Secretary in the strategic planning process under section 508; and

(5) to refine, through the conduct of workshops, symposia, and panels, and in consultation with stakeholders (including the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other appropriate Federal and State agencies and associations) the scope and research emphases of the program.

(c) Program Administration.—The Secretary shall—

(1) administer the program established under this section; and

(2) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that—

(A) the best projects and researchers are selected to conduct research in the priority areas described in subsection (b)—

(i) on the basis of merit of each submitted proposal; and

(ii) through the use of open solicitations and selection by a panel of appropriate experts;

(B) a qualified, permanent core staff with the ability and expertise to manage a large multiyear budget is used;

(C) the stakeholders are involved in the governance of the program, at the executive, overall program, and technical levels, through the use of expert panels and committees; and

(D) there is no duplication of research effort between the program established under this section and the new strategic highway research program established under section 510.

(d) National Academy of Sciences.—The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the National Academy of Sciences to carry out such activities relating to the research, technology, and technology transfer activities described in subsection (b) as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(d) National Academy of Sciences.—The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the National Academy of Sciences to carry out such activities relating to the research, technology, and technology transfer activities described in subsections (b) and (c) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
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