Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment

Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment
Current Law	Administration Proposal H.R. 2088 & S. 1072 as Modified SAFETEA of 2003	House H.R. 3 as Passed House TEA-LU	Senate H.R. 3 as Passed Senate SAFETEA of 2005
Section 5001(a)	Section 5101(a)(1)	Section 5101(a)(1)	Section 2001
Provides a separate contract authority authorization of $592 million over FYs 1998-2003 for Research and Technology rather than funding it out of the FHWA GOE account.	Combines the Surface Transportation Research and Technology Deployment programs of TEA-21 in a new program over FYs 2004-2009.	Provides contract authority authorization of $1,367 million over FYs 2004-2009 for the Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment Program.	Provides contract authority authorization of $872.7 million over FYs 2005-2009 for Research and Technology.
Section 5001(c)(1)(D)
Authorizes $5 million for each of FYs 1998-2003 to carry out research on use of concrete pavement in the construction, reconstruction, and repair of Federal-aid highways.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.
Section 5101	Section 5201	Section 5201	Section 2001
The Surface Transportation Research Program funds research, development, and technology transfer activities pertaining to transportation planning and development.	Renames Chapter V of Title 23 to be Research, Technology, and Education; adds basic principles that transportation research shall include fundamental, long-term highway research aimed at significant research gaps, emerging issues with national implications, and research related to policy and planning.	Same as Administration Bill	No change
Requires research in material durability, performance indicators, non-destructive evaluation equipment, traffic calming measures, dynamic simulation modeling, life cycle cost analysis, vehicle size and weight standards, advanced material useful life estimates, and the impact of technological change on travel demand.	Establishes parallel structures for pavement and bridge/structures research: each having research, deployment, and long-term assessment elements, and adds freight security research initiatives as eligible components.	Requires research in: fundamental long-term highway issues, emerging issues with national implications, transportation system management and operations; methods to reduce recurrent and nonrecurrent congestion; increased transportation system reliability; procedures to secure container and hazardous material transport; the impact of good security practices on commerce and productivity; and activities related to asset management.	Requires research in eighteen separately identified areas, incl. increasing infrastructure durability, lowering life-cycle costs, non-destructive testing, work zone safety, C&P report data collection improvement, GIS multi-modal applications, extreme weather research, development of collaboration tools and strategies, and methods of providing revenues to the Highway Trust Fund.
No comparable provision.	Requires investment decisions for surface transportation R&T activities to be based on competition and merit review to the greatest extent possible.	Requires the awarding of all R&D grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to be based on open competition and peer review of proposals.	Same as in Administration bill
No comparable provision.	Requires surface transportation R&T activities to include a component of performance measurement.	Requires all surface R&D activities to include a component of performance measurement and evaluation; the performance measures are to be established during the proposal stage of a project, should be outcome-based, and shall be made readily available to the public.	No comparable provision.
Allows the Secretary to carry out collaborative research and development on a cost-shared basis with State and local governments, universities, foreign governments, other non-Federal entities, and Federal laboratories.	Adds a provision allowing the Secretary to cooperate with States and other agencies in funding RD&T activities on a pooled funds basis.	Same as in Administration bill, then adds that the Secretary may directly initiate contracts and other R&D agreements to fund and accept funds from State DOTs, cities, counties, and TRB to conduct joint transportation research and technology efforts.	Allows the Secretary to carry out collaborative research and development on a cost-shared basis with federal laboratories and non-Federal entities.
Federal share shall not exceed 50 percent under a cooperative agreement except as approved by the Secretary.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No change
Section 5001(b)	Section 5101(c)	Section 5101	Section 2002
Research and Technology will receive a separate obligation limitation at a prorated share; program obligations are capped by a separate annual limitation. The limitation will be available for three years. Federal share is 80%.	Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation, and will receive obligation authority equal to the authorization level. Limitation will continue to be available for 3 years. Federal share will be 100% unless otherwise specified.	Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation, and program obligations are capped by a separate annual limitation. Federal share is 50% unless otherwise determined by the Secretary, funds are available until expended, and are not transferable.	Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation, and program obligations are capped by a separate annual limitation. Federal share is 80% and is subject to sliding scale.
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
	Section 5201(e)	Section 5201(i)
No comparable provision.	Authorizes operation of a Turner-Fairbanks Highway Research Center to support development of: research related to new highway technology; economical and environmentally sensitive designs; efficient construction practices; durable materials; and innovative highway products and practices.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires $1 million of Surface Transportation Research Program funds to be made available for each of FYs 2005 through 2008 to provide for physical demonstrations of the ongoing work at the Turner-Fairbanks facility with respect to ultra-high performance concrete with ductility. [5204(f)]	No comparable provision.
Exploratory Advanced Research Program
Sect. 5102 (502(d))	Sect. 5201(f)	Section 5201(g)	Section 2001
Authorizes an Advanced Research program to assess high-risk, high-payoff research with the potential for improving the durability, productivity, efficiency, environmental impact, and safety aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems.	Replaces the Advanced Research Program with an Exploratory Advanced Research program, consistent with the Surface R&T Strategic Plan, to better understand problems and develop innovative solutions. Partnerships with public and private entities are encouraged.	Same as Administration Bill	Authorizes an Advanced High Risk Long Term Research program to assess high-risk, high-payoff research with the potential for improving the durability, productivity, efficiency, environmental impact, and safety aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems.
No comparable provision.	Allows the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements in such areas of surface transportation research and technology as the Secretary determines appropriate; suggests six topic areas.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
No funding amount is specified.	Funding is derived from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization; no funding amount is specified.	Same as Administration Bill	Funding is a $25,342,981 deduction for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research, Development, & Deployment program authorization.
Long Term Pavement Performance Program
Sect. 5102 (502(e))	Sect. 5201(i)	Section 5201(h)	Section 2001
Authorizes the Long Term Pavement Performance program at $10 million for each of FYs 1998-2003.	No funding amount is specified.	Authorizes the Long Term Pavement Performance program at $10 million for FY 2004, and $21 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 out of the Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment Program.	Authorizes a total of $50 million for FYs 2005-2009 for the Long Term Pavement Performance program out of the Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment Program.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to evaluate highway test sections, analyze data, and prepare products to meet future pavement needs.	No change	No change	No change
No comparable provision.	Directs the Secretary to complete the 20-year long-term pavementm performance tests begun under the LTPP program.	Same as Administration Bill	Requires the program be concluded not later than 9/30/2009.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires the Secretary to report on the initial conclusions of the Long Term Pavement Performance Program, and to the maximum extent practicable ensure the usefulness of the technological advances resulting from the program.
Seismic Research Program
Sect. 5102 (502(f))	Sect. 5203(a)		Section 2101
Establishes the Seismic Research Program to study the vulnerability of the Federal-aid highway system to seismic activity , and to develop cost-effective methods to reduce such vulnerability.	Deletes the Seismic Research Program.	No change	Adds a requirement for the Secretary to coordinate the conduct of seismic research with other Federal agencies.
Requires the Secretary to carry out a seismic research program in cooperation with the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research at the University of Buffalo.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2004-2009, to be deducted from Surface Transportation Research program funding, to carry out a seismic research program in cooperation with the University of Nevada, Reno, and the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research at the University of Buffalo.
Infrastructure Investment Needs Report
Sect. 5102(g)	Sect. 5201(k)		Section 2101
Sets due date of C&P report at 1/31/1999 and every second year thereafter. Requires new reports to relate and compare measures used in previous reports.	Sets due date of C&P report at 7/31/2004 and every second year thereafter. Requires new reports to relate and compare measures used in previous reports.	No change	Sets due date of C&P report at 7/31/2005 and every second year thereafter. Requires new reports to relate and compare measures used in previous reports.
Advanced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies Program
Section 5111	Section 5302	Section 5401
The Advanced Vehicle Technologies Program promotes the development and deployment of innovation in transportation technology services, management, and operational practices.	The Advanced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies Program integrates emerging multimodal heavy-duty vehicle technologies into the transportation network.	Adds a new section 5507 of Subchapter I of Chapter 55 of Title 49.	No change.
Authorizes $50 million from the General Fund for each of FYs 1998-2003 for the Advanced Vehicle Technologies Program.	Advanced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies replaces the Advanced Vehicle Technologies Program established under TEA-21.	The Advanced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies Research Program integrates emerging multimodal heavy-duty vehicle technologiesinto the transportation network.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	The Advanced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies is authorized over FYs 2004-2009, contract authority from the HTF.	The authorization for Advanced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies is $16 million over FYs 2004-2009, contract authority from the HTF.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	At least 50% of program funding must be provided by non-Federal sources.	No comparable provision.
International Highway Transportation Outreach Program
Section 5106			Section 2101
Continues the International Highway Transportation Outreach Program; makes program activities eligible for use of State Planning and Research funds.	No change	No change	Continues the International Highway Transportation Outreach Program structure.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress describing the destinations and individual trip costs of international travel associated with this program.
Authorizes $500,000 to be deducted from Surface Transportation Research program funding, for the International Highway Transportation Outreach Program.	No change	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $469,314 for each of FYs 2005-2009 to be deducted from Surface Transportation Research program funding, for the International Highway Transportation Outreach Program.
Hydrogen Infrastructure Program
	Section 5302
No comparable provision.	Hydrogen Infrastructure Safety Research and Development fosters development, demonstration, and deployment of a safe, economically viable hydrogen transportation and refueling infrastructure.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	The authorization for the Hydrogen Infrastructure Safety Research and Development program is spread over FYs 2004-2009, appropriated budget authority from the General Fund.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.
Long-Term Bridge Performance Program
	Section 5203(a)	Section 5202(a)
No comparable provision.	Directs Secretary to establish a 20-year Long-Term Bridge Performance Program.	Directs Secretary to establish a 20-year Long-Term Bridge Performance Program.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	Directs Secretary to monitor, material-test, and evaluate test bridges, and, using the data thus obtained, prepare products to meet future bridge technology needs.	Directs Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to monitor, material-test, and evaluate test bridges, and, using the data thus obtained, prepare products to meet future bridge technology needs.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Funding is $5 million for FY 2004 and $15 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program authorization.	No comparable provision.
Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program
Sect. 5103 (503(b))	Sect. 5203(b)	Section 5202(b)	Section 2101
Establishes the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program to demonstrate the application of innovative material technology in the construction of bridges.	Retains basic purpose; includes design, repair, and rehabilitation in addition to construction.	Changes program name to the Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program; retains basic program purpose.	Establishes the Innovative Surface Transportation Infrastructure Research and Construction Program within the Technology Application Program.
Directs the Secretary to make grants to States, colleges, and the private sector to fund research concerning innovative materials.	Adds development of construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic congestion to programgoals.	Modifies program goals to include development of: cost-effective bridge applications; construction techniques to increase safety and reduce traffic congestion; engineering design criteria for innovative materials and structural systems; structures that will withstand natural disasters; and improved methods to detect bridge scour and economical foundation designs that will withstand it. Also requires the wide dissemination ofbenefits of such innovative techniques.	The program purpose is to apply innovative material, design, and construction technologies in the construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of surface transportation infrastructure.
Federal share is to be determined by the Secretary.	Adds development of bridges and structures that will withstand terrorist attacks to program goals.	Funding is a $20 million deduction for each of FYs 2004-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program authorization.	Although no funding amount is specified for this program, funding for the Technology Application Program is derived from a $56,317,736 deduction for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization. Federal share to be determined by the Secretary.
High Performance Concrete Bridge Technology Research and Deployment
		Section 5202(b)(3)(B)	Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires the Secretary to carry out a High-Performance Concrete Bridge Research and Technology Transfer Program to conduct research and deploy technology related to high-performance concrete bridges.	Directs the Secretary to carry out a High-Performance Concrete Bridge Research and Technology Transfer Program to demonstrate the application of high-performance concrete in the construction and rehabilitation of bridges.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires the Secretary to obligate $2 million for each of FYs 2004-2009 from the authorization for the Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program.	Authorizes $5 million for each of fiscal years 2005-2009, to be deducted from Surface Transportation Research Program funding, for the High-Performance Concrete Bridge Research and Technology Transfer Program, of which $750,000 shall be used each fiscal year to carry out demonstration projects using ultra-high performance concrete with ductility.
High-Performing Steel Bridge Research and Technology Transfer Program
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires the Secretary to carry out a program to demonstrate the application of high performing steel in the construction and rehabilitation of bridges.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Provides $5 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the authorization for the Surface Transportation Research Program.
Research on Asphalt Used in Highway Pavements
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $5 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization to carry out research on asphalt used in highway pavements.
Research on Concrete Used in Highway Pavements
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $5 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization to carry out research on concrete used in highway pavements.
Research on Alternative Materials
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $5 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization to carry out research on alternative materials.
Research on Aggregates Used in Highway Pavements
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $5 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization to carry out research on aggregates used in highway pavements.
Alkali Silica Reactivity Mitigation
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $3 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization to develop and deploy techniques to prevent and mitigate alkali silica reactivity.
Research on Asphalt and Asphalt-Related Reclamation
			Section 2101
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Authorizes $1.5 million for FY 2005 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization for asphalt and asphalt-related reclamation research at the South Dakota School of Mines. The funding is to remain available until expended.
Technology Deployment Initiatives and Partnerships Program
Sect. 5103 (503(a))	Section 5204	Section 5204	Section 2101
The Technology Deployment Initiatives and Partnerships Program is to be developed by the Secretary to significantly accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies.	Changes program name to the Technology Deployment Program; retains basic program purpose.	Changes program name to the Technology Deployment Program; retains basic program purpose, but states that the Secretary shall, rather than may, make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with States, Federal agencies, etc.	Changes program name to the Technology Application Initiatives and Partnerships Program; retains basic program purpose.
Program goals shall be designed to provide tangible benefits in the areas of efficiency, safety, reliability, service life, environmental protection, and sustainability.	Adds that the information and technology resulting from program research shall be made available to State and local transportation departments.	Same as Administration Bill	Program goals shall be designed to provide tangible benefits in the areas of efficiency, safety, reliability, service life, environmental protection, and sustainability.
Requires biennial reports to Congress on the progress and results of activities carried out under this program.	Deletes report requirement; Federal share to be determined by the Secretary.	Deletes report requirement.	The results and progress of program activities shall be published as part of the annual transportation research report required under section 508(c)(5) of Title 23.
The Secretary may allocate funds to States to achieve program goals from $142 million available after legislative designation of Technology Deployment funds.	No funding amount is specified.	No funding amount is specified.	Although no funding amount is specified for this program, funding is derived from a $56,317,736 deduction for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization.
Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program
	Sect. 5204(b)	Sect. 5204(b)
No comparable provision.	Directs the Secretary to establish an Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program to promote and support innovative pavement technologies and practices.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	Establishes eight specific goals for the program including innovative designs, materials, and practices to extend pavement life and performance.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	Funding is derived from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization; no funding amount is specified.	Funding is $5 million for FY 2004 and $15 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Of the funds made available for the Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program, not less than $2 million for FY 2004 and $6 million for each of FYs 2004-2009 shall be obligated to conduct research to improve asphalt & concrete pavement and aggregates on the NHS.	No comparable provision.
Safety Innovation Deployment Program
	Sect. 5204(c)	Sect. 5204(c)
No comparable provision.	Directs the Secretary to establish a Safety Innovation Deployment Program to demonstrate the application of innovative technologies in highway safety.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	Secretary shall make grants to States, other Federal agencies, colleges, and the private sector for research, development, andtechnology transfer for innovative safety technologies.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
	Requires the Secretary to take such action as is necessary to ensure the information resulting from this program is made available to all interested parties.	Same as Administration Bill
No comparable provision.	No specific amount is authorized for this program; Federal share is to be determined by the Secretary.	Funding is $5 million for FY 2004 and $15 million for FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program.	No comparable provision.
Wood Composite Materials Demonstration Project
		Section 5204(e)
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires $1 million of Surface Transportation Research Program funds to be made available for each of FYs 2005 and 2006 at 100% Federal share to demonstrate the durability and effectiveness of wood composite materials in transportation facilities.	No comparable provision.
Commercial Remote Sensing Products
Section 5113	Section 5303	Section 5402
Requires establishment of a program to validate remote sensing products and spatial information technologies for application to transportation infrastructure development & construction NLT 18 months after date of enactment.	Removes language dealing with establishment of program NLT 18 months after date of enactment.	Same as Administration Bill	No comparable provision.
Authorizes $10 million for each of FYs 1999-2004 to be appropriated from the GF to carry out this program.	No funding amount is specified.	Authorizes $3 million for FY 2004, and $9 million for each of Fys 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program.	No comparable provision.
Advanced Travel Forecasting Procedures Program
Section 1210	Section 5206	Section 5207	Section 2101
Establishes the Advanced Travel Forecasting Procedures Program to complete and deploy the TRANSIMS model.	Calls for acceleration of Advanced Travel Forecasting Procedures Program deployment activities.	Calls for accelerated deployment of the advanced transportation model known as TRANSIMS.	Same as House bill.
Directs that 12 State pilot projects be set up to convert to use of TRANSIMS.	Requires that training and technical assistance be provided to States and MPOs with responsibility for travel modeling.	Requires that training and technical assistance in the implementation of TRANSIMS be provided to States and MPOs with responsibility for travel modeling. Also, the program may support the development of methods to plan for the transportation response to chemical and biological terrorism and other security concerns.	Same as House bill.
Authorizes a total of $25 million for FYs 1998-2003.	Funding is derived from the Surface Transportation Research program authorization; no funding amount is specified.	Funding is $1 million for FY 2004 and $3 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program.	Funding is a $893,082 annual deduction from the Surface Transportation Research Program of which not less than 15% must be used to develop methods to simulate the national transportation infrastructure as a single, integrated system.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	The program is to be administered through the Office of Planning, Research, and Development in the Office of the Secretary.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires not more than 75% of funding to be used for grants to implement TRANSIMS.	No comparable provision.
Allows funds to go to MPOs and States for deployment.	No change.	No change.	Does not explicitly provide for deployment.
National Cooperative Freight Transportation Research Program
		Section 5208
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Establishes the National Cooperative Freight Transportation Research Program.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to carry out administrative and management activities relating to this program.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	NAS shall select an advisory committee to recommend a national research agenda for the program, to include a multiyear strategic plan.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	The research agenda shall include among other items research in estimating and quantifying the benefits derived from freight transportation projects; consolidating origins and destinations of freight traffic; and developing physical and policy alternatives for separating car & truck traffic.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	NAS may award research contracts and grants through open competition and merit review.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Funding is $1.5 million for FY 2004 and $4 million for each of FYs 2005-2009 from the Surface Transportation Research Program; Federal share up to 100 percent; funds available until expended.	No comparable provision.
Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions Research Initiative
		Section 5211
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	The research initiative consists of two independent research programs designed to measure and address surface transportation congestion problems.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	The Improved Surface Transportation Congestion Management System Measures Program examines the effectiveness of congestion management systems, identifies best case examples, and incorporates such methods in the development of national models.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	The Analytical Techniques for Action on Surface Transportation Congestion analyzes the effectiveness of procedures used to assess surface transportation congestion problems, and to target programs with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing congestion and system unreliability.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	Requires the Secretary to develop in FY 2006 a technical assistance and training program to disseminate the results of the surface transportation congestion solutions research initiative.	No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.	No comparable provision.	The technical assistance and training portion is funded at $5.5 million over 6 years from the Training and Education authorization. The investigations are funded at $59 million over 6 years from the Surface Transportation Research authorization.	No comparable provision.

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