[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3766-3767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration


Report on Research Activities; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: The Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement 
Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-426) will disestablish the Department of 
Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA). 
In its place, two new Federal agencies will be established--the 
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These 
new organizations will be effective no later than February 28, 2005.
    Section 4(g) of the Act directs the incoming RITA Administrator to 
prepare a report to Congress, due March 30, 2005, on the research 
activities and priorities of the Department of Transportation. As a 
part of the stakeholder review process, the

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Department of Transportation is soliciting comments from Federal, 
state, private sector, and not-for-profit institutions on the topics 
outlined below.

ADDRESSES: Please submit all comments electronically to 
[email protected] or fax to (202) 366-3671. The deadline for 
comments is February 15, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Marchessault, RSPA, by 
telephone at (202) 366-4434 or Fax: (202) 366-3671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RITA is a new Department of Transportation 
(DOT) organization dedicated to advancing the DOT's priorities for 
transportation innovation, research, and education. RITA will integrate 
the existing intermodal research and development functions of the RSPA 
Office of Innovation, Research, and Education and the Secretary's 
Office of Intermodalism.
    In addition, RITA also will incorporate the Volpe National 
Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts; the 
Transportation Safety Institute in Oklahoma City; and the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics in its entirety.

Report to Congress

    On November 30, 2004, President Bush signed the Norman Y. Mineta 
Research and Special Programs Improvement Act (Public Law 108-426). 
Section 4(g) of the Act directs the RITA Administrator to prepare a 
report on the research activities of the Department of Transportation, 
for delivery to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the 
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. This report is 
due March 30, 2005, 120 days after enactment.
    The report shall include the following information:
     A summary of the mission and strategic goals of the new 
RITA Administration;
     A prioritized list of the research and development 
activities that the Department intends to pursue over the next five (5) 
years;
     A description of the primary purposes for conducting such 
R&D activities such as reducing traffic congestion, improving mobility, 
and promoting safety;
     An estimate of the funding levels needed to implement such 
R&D activities for the current fiscal year; and
     Additional information the RITA Administrator considers 
appropriate.
    In developing the report, the RITA Administrator must also:
     Solicit input from a wide range of stakeholders;
     Take into account how the research and development 
activities of other Federal, state, private sector, and not-for-profit 
institutions contribute to the achievement of the desired purposes; and
     Address methods to avoid unnecessary duplication of 
efforts in achieving such purposes.
    As a part of the stakeholder review process, the Department of 
Transportation is soliciting comments from Federal, state, private 
sector, and not-for-profit institutions on these topics. The Department 
is using a variety of venues to solicit comments by stakeholders. This 
Federal Register Notice is one method for receiving comment. In 
particular, the Department encourages comments on the following topics:

Identification of Priorities

     How do we establish DOT transportation research priorities 
in an environment of limited resources?
     How do we balance research on long-term, high-risk and 
high-impact advances versus research with immediate transportation 
safety and mobility returns?

Research Duplication

     How do we identify and avoid unnecessary duplication in 
transportation-related technology research?
     How do we share information and learn about opportunities 
to benefit from others' research?

The Role of Stakeholders

     What on-going communications methods or processes might be 
established with stakeholders outside of the DOT to receive their 
advice and recommendations?
     What information resources can RITA utilize or create to 
leverage private sector advances into the DOT missions and goals?
    We encourage your ideas on these topics, and on other related 
topics you may identify. The development of RITA, its roles, direction, 
and responsibilities, will be a methodical process of growth. It may 
not be possible to incorporate many of the ideas we receive in our 
Congressional report. However, all ideas and concerns identified will 
be considered for integration into our planning endeavors.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 14, 2005.
Thomas Marchessault,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Innovation, Research and 
Education, Research and Special Programs Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-1226 Filed 1-25-05; 8:45 am]
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