Title VI - ISTEA of 1991
Source: National Transportation Library
Summary -
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/ste.html
TITLE VI
Research
This title, covering transportation research, is divided into
three parts:
Part A- Programs, Studies and Activities,
Part B- Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Act, and
Part C- Advanced Transportation Systems and Electric Vehicles.
PART A - PROGRAMS, STUDIES, AND ACTIVITIES
Research and Technology
Substantial support is provided for enhanced research and
development and the effective application of innovative technology
to solve highway problems. An important provision related to this
initiative is new authority for collaborative research and
development with other public and private entities, with an average
Federal share up to 50 percent of the activity costs.
The Act provides a total of $108 million to implement the
products of the completed Strategic Highway Research Program and to
continue the Long Term Pavement Performance Program.
To expand technology transfer activities, the Act provides
authority to carry out a transportation assistance program to
supply modern technology to highway and transportation agencies in
rural areas and in urbanized areas of 50,000 to 1,000,000
population. Technology Transfer centers may be established for
this purpose.
A new Applied Research and Technology Program is required to
provide accelerated testing, evaluation, and implementation of
technologies designed to improve the durability, efficiency,
environmental impact, productivity, and safety of highway, transit,
and intermodal transportation systems. Program guidelines from the
Secretary are required within 18 months, and a total of $240
million is authorized with a Federal share of 80 percent.
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The Act provides a strong focus on planning and guidance for
the research and development agenda. The Secretary is to develop
an integrated national plan for surface transportation research and
development. Also, a National Council on Surface Transportation
Research, as well as a new Research Advisory Committee, are
created. The Council will study: current surface transportation
research and technology developments in the United States and
abroad; identify gaps and duplication; and determine research areas
which may increase efficiency, productivity, safety, and durability
in the Nation's surface transportation systems.
The Committee will provide ongoing advice and recommendations
to the Secretary regarding issues with respect to short-term and
long-term surface transportation research and development.
International Highway
Transportation Outreach Program
A new International Highway Transportation Outreach Program
will provide for informing the U.S. highway community of foreign
transportation innovations, promoting U.S. highway transportation
expertise internationally, and increasing the transfers of U.S.
highway transportation technology to foreign countries.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
A Bureau of Transportation Statistics is created in the DOT to
enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting, and to ensure the
most cost-effective use of transportation monitoring resources. A
total of $90 million is provided over the 6 years of the Act. The
Bureau is to publish a Transportation Statistics Annual Report; the
first report is due January 1, 1994.
National Transit Institute
A National Transit Institute is established to conduct
training programs for all involved in Federal-aid transit work.
Funding is $18 million over the 6 years of the authorization.
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University Transportation Centers/Research Institutes
Five new university transportation centers have been added to
the University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program. These
centers, as well as the original 10 UTC's are funded by both the
FHWA and the FTA.
Also, five additional university research institutes are
established. Funding is from the Highway Trust Fund, other than
the Mass Transit Account, and is in the amount of $37.5 million
over the 6-year period.
PART B - INTELLIGENT VEHICLE-HIGHWAY SYSTEMS ACT
An Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems (IVHS) Program is
established, with approximately $660 million authorized for the 6-
year authorization period.
The Act requires the promotion of compatible standards and
protocols to promote widespread use of IVHS technologies, the
establishment of evaluation guidelines for IVHS operational tests,
and the establishment of an information clearinghouse.
A strategic plan must be submitted to Congress no later than I
year after this Act is effective. The plan must include the goals,
mile-stones, and objectives of the IVHS program.
The Act also requires development of a completely automated
highway and vehicle system which will serve as the prototype for
future fully automated IVHS systems. The goal is to have the first
fully automated roadway or test track in operation by the end of
1997. An IVHS Corridors program is established to provide for
operational tests under "real world" conditions. Corridors which
meet certain transportation and environmental criteria can
participate in developing and implementing IVHS technologies.
Other provisions relating to IVHS include authority to use
advisory committees for carrying out the IVHS program and the
availability of planning grants to State and local governments for
studying the feasibility for development and implementation of
IVHS.
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PART C - ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEMS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES
A grant program is established for electrical vehicle and
advanced transportation research and development. The grants will
be awarded to at least three consortia that must provide services
including 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 cost-effective
manufacturing processes. The non-Federal share of the grants must
be at least 50 percent.