Office of Operations
21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies
SAFETEA-LU

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Research

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Research
Year FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009
Authorization $110 M $110 M $110 M $110 M $110 M

Program Purpose

  • The ITS program provides for the research, development, and operational testing necessary to develop and deploy advanced technology to improve the safety and performance of the Nation's surface transportation systems. The program encourages public-private partnerships and private sector investment.

Funding/Formula

  • Funds are subject obligation limitation, as provided by the bill.
  • Limitation for research programs will continue to be available for 3 years

Program Requirements

  • In general, the bill continues the ITS Research Program as contained in Subtitle C of TEA-21, but modifies the language to make technical changes and reflect new programmatic priorities.
  • Redefines priority areas for research - the Secretary shall give higher priority to funding projects that:
    • Enhance mobility and productivity: through improved traffic management, incident management, transit management, freight management, road weather management, toll collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems and remote sensing products.
    • Utilize interdisciplinary approaches: to develop traffic management strategies and tools to address multiple impacts of congestion concurrently.
    • Address traffic management, incident management, transit management, toll collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems: with the goals of reducing congestion, ensuring an interoperable 5-1-1 system, improving incident management response, and improving communication between emergency care providers and trauma centers.
    • Incorporate research on the impact of environmental, weather, and natural conditions on ITS systems: including the effects of cold climates.
    • Enhance intermodal use of ITS for diverse groups: including for emergency and health-related services.
    • Enhance safety: through improved crash avoidance and protection, crash and other notification, commercial motor vehicle operations, and infrastructure-based or cooperative safety systems;
    • Facilitate the integration of intelligent infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies.

Key Changes

  • National ITS Program Plan: requires development of a 5-year National ITS Program Plan 1) to specify the goals, objectives, and milestones for the research and deployment of ITS, 2) specify the manner in which specific programs and projects will achieve the goals, objectives, and milestones, 3) identify activities that provide for the dynamic development, testing, and necessary revision of standards and protocols to promote and ensure interoperability in the implementation of ITS technologies, and 4) to establish a cooperative process with State and local governments.
  • ITS Advisory Committee: requires the Secretary to establish an ITS Advisory Committee that shall, at a minimum: 1) provide input into the development of ITS aspects of the strategic plan and 2) review, at least annually, areas of ITS research being considered for funding by the Department.
  • National Architecture and Standards: require the Secretary to designate a panel of experts to expedite and streamline the process for developing the standards and protocols for the development, implementation and maintenance of a national architecture and supporting standards and protocols to promote the widespread use and evaluation of ITS technology as a component of surface transportation systems in the United States.
  • Rural Interstate Corridor Communications Study ($1M in 2006, $2M in 2007): directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce, State departments of transportation, and others, to conduct a study on the feasibility of installing fiber optic cabling and wireless communication infrastructure along multistate Interstate System route corridors for improved communications services to rural communities along such corridors.
  • Road Weather Research and Development Program ($5M per year): establishes a program 1) to maximize use of available road weather information and technologies, 2) expand road weather research and development efforts to enhance roadway safety, capacity, and efficiency, 3) promote technology transfer of effective road weather scientific and technological advances.
  • Multistate Corridor Operations and Management($7M per year): encourages multistate agreements and funds States to continue ITS management and operations in the Interstate Route 95 corridor coalition region.

Federal Share

  • The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity shall be 100 percent unless otherwise determined by the Secretary or specified otherwise in this Act.
  • The Federal share of the cost of operational tests and demonstration shall not exceed 80 percent.

 

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