§112. Research and Innovative Technology Administration

(a) Establishment.-The Research and Innovative Technology Administration shall be an administration in the Department of Transportation.

(b) Administrator.-

(1) Appointment.-The Administration shall be headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) Reporting.-The Administrator shall report directly to the Secretary.

(c) Deputy Administrator.-The Administration shall have a Deputy Administrator who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation. The Deputy Administrator shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Administrator.

(d) Powers and Duties of the Administrator.-The Administrator shall carry out-

(1) powers and duties prescribed by the Secretary for-

(A) coordination, facilitation, and review of the Department's research and development programs and activities;

(B) advancement, and research and development, of innovative technologies, including intelligent transportation systems;

(C) comprehensive transportation statistics research, analysis, and reporting;

(D) education and training in transportation and transportation-related fields; and

(E) activities of the Volpe National Transportation Center; and

(2) other powers and duties prescribed by the Secretary.

(e) Administrative Authorities.-The Administrator may enter into grants and cooperative agreements with Federal agencies, State and local government agencies, other public entities, private organizations, and other persons-

(1) to conduct research into transportation service and infrastructure assurance; and

(2) to carry out other research activities of the Administration.

(Added Pub. L. 102–508, title IV, §401(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3310 ; amended Pub. L. 103–429, §6(1), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4378 ; Pub. L. 108–426, §4(a), Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2425 ; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, §7301, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1914 .)

Amendments

2005-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–59 added subsec. (e).

2004-Pub. L. 108–426, §4(a)(1), substituted "Research and Innovative Technology Administration" for "Research and Special Programs Administration" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–426, §4(a)(2), added subsec. (a) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (a). Text read as follows: "There is established in the Department of Transportation a Research and Special Programs Administration."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–426, §4(a)(3), added subsec. (d) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (d) which related to the responsibilities of the Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–426, §4(a)(4), struck out heading and text of subsec. (e). Text read as follows: "Nothing in this section shall affect any delegation of authority, regulation, order, approval, exemption, waiver, contract, or other administrative act of the Secretary with respect to laws administered through the Research and Special Programs Administration of the Department of Transportation on October 24, 1992."

1994-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted "October 24, 1992" for "the date of the enactment of this section".

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Programs Administered by Secretary of Transportation

Pub. L. 108–426, §4(b), Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2425 , provided that:

"(1) In general.-Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 2004 Amendment note set out under section 101 of this title] shall grant any authority to the Research and Innovative Technology Administration over research and other programs, activities, standards, or regulations administered by the Secretary of Transportation through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"(2) Applicability.-Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the research and other programs, activities, standards, or regulations provided for in highway and traffic safety programs, administered by the Secretary through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in title 23, United States Code, and chapter 303 of title 49, United States Code, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 30, 2004]."

Transfer of Duties and Powers of Research and Special Programs Administration

Pub. L. 108–426, §4(d), Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2426 , provided that: "The authority of the Research and Special Programs Administration, other than authority exercised under chapters 51, 57, 61, 601, and 603 of title 49, United States Code, is transferred to the Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration."

For transfer of authority of the Research and Special Programs Administration exercised under chapters 51, 57, 61, 601, and 603 of this title to the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, see section 2(b) of Pub. L. 108–426, set out as a note under section 108 of this title.

Development of Underground Utility Location Technologies

Section 306 of Pub. L. 102–508 provided that:

"(a) In General.-The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out a research and development program on underground utility location technologies.

"(b) Authorization of Appropriations.-There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1992. Such sums shall remain available until expended."