468 
labor organizations, safety advocates, and other stake-
holders determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—The task force convened 
under paragraph (1) shall evaluate and make rec-
ommendations on the following elements for inclusion 
in a graduated commercial driver’s license pilot pro-
gram: 
(A) A specified length of time for a learner’s 
permit stage. 
(B) A requirement that drivers under the 
age of 21 years be accompanied by experienced 
drivers over the age of 21 years. 
(C) A restriction on travel distances. 
(D) A restriction on maximum allowable 
driving hours. 
(E) Mandatory driver training that exceeds 
the requirements for drivers over the age of 21 
years issued by the Secretary under section 
31305(c) of title 49, United States Code. 
(F) Use of certain safety technologies in the 
vehicles of drivers under the age of 21 years. 
(G) Any other element the task force con-
siders appropriate. 
(4) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the task force
469 
convened under paragraph (1) shall recommend to the 
Secretary the elements the task force has determined 
appropriate for inclusion in a graduated commercial 
driver’s license pilot program. 
(b) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after re-
ceiving the recommendations of the task force under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a grad-
uated commercial driver’s license pilot program in 
accordance with such recommendations and section 
31315(c) of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) 
PRE-ESTABLISHMENT
REQUIREMENTS.— 
Prior to the establishment of the pilot program under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) submit to Congress a report outlining 
the recommendations of the task force received 
under subsection (a); and 
(B) publish in the Federal Register, and 
provide sufficient notice of and an opportunity 
for public comment on, the— 
(i) proposed requirements for State 
and driver participation in the pilot pro-
gram, based on the recommendations of the 
task force and consistent with paragraph 
(3);
470 
(ii) measures the Secretary will utilize 
under the pilot program to ensure safety; 
and 
(iii) standards the Secretary will use 
to evaluate the pilot program, including to 
determine any changes in the level of motor 
carrier safety as a result of the pilot pro-
gram. 
(3) PROGRAM
ELEMENTS.—The pilot program 
established under paragraph (1)— 
(A) may not allow an individual under the 
age of 19 years and 6 months to participate; 
(B) may not allow a driver between the ages 
of 19 years and 6 months and 21 years to— 
(i) operate a commercial motor vehicle 
in special configuration; or 
(ii) transport hazardous cargo; 
(C) shall be carried out in a State (includ-
ing the District of Columbia) only if the Gov-
ernor of the State (or the Mayor of the District 
of Columbia, if applicable) approves an agree-
ment with a contiguous State to allow a licensed 
driver under the age of 21 years to operate a 
commercial motor vehicle across both States in 
accordance with the pilot program;
471 
(D) may not recognize more than 6 agree-
ments described in subparagraph (C); 
(E) may not allow more than 10 motor car-
riers to participate in the pilot program under 
each agreement described in subparagraph (C); 
(F) shall require each motor carrier partici-
pating in the pilot program under an agreement 
described in subparagraph (C) to— 
(i) have in effect a satisfactory safety 
fitness determination that was issued by the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administra-
tion during the 2-year period preceding the 
date of the Federal Register publication re-
quired under paragraph (2)(B); and 
(ii) agree to have its safety perform-
ance monitored by the Secretary during 
participation in the pilot program; 
(G) shall allow for the revocation of a motor 
carrier’s participation in the pilot program if a 
State or the Secretary determines that the motor 
carrier violated the requirements, including safe-
ty requirements, of the pilot program; and 
(H) shall ensure that a valid graduated 
commercial driver’s license issued by a State 
that has entered into an agreement described in
472 
subparagraph (C) and is approved by the Sec-
retary to participate in the pilot program is rec-
ognized as valid in both States that are partici-
pating in the agreement. 
(c) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.— 
(1) MONITORING.—The Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation shall monitor and re-
view the implementation of the pilot program estab-
lished under subsection (b). 
(2) REPORT.—The Inspector General shall sub-
mit to Congress and the Secretary— 
(A) not later than 1 year after the establish-
ment of the pilot program under subsection (b), 
an interim report on the results of the review 
conducted under paragraph (1); and 
(B) not later than 60 days after the conclu-
sion of the pilot program, a final report on the 
results of the review conducted under paragraph 
(1). 
(3) ADDITIONAL CONTENTS.— 
(A) INTERIM REPORT.—The interim report 
required under paragraph (2)(A) shall address 
whether the Secretary has established sufficient 
mechanisms and generated sufficient data to de-
473 
termine if the pilot program is having any ad-
verse effects on motor carrier safety. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—The final report re-
quired under paragraph (2)(B) shall address the 
impact of the pilot program on— 
(i) safety; and 
(ii) the number of commercial motor 
vehicle drivers available for employment. 
SEC. 5405. VETERANS EXPANDED TRUCKING OPPORTUNI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a physician-approved 
veteran operator, the qualified physician of such operator 
may, subject to the requirements of subsection (b), perform 
a medical examination and provide a medical certificate 
for purposes of compliance with the requirements of section 
31149 of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) CERTIFICATION.—The certification described under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) assurances that the physician performing the 
medical examination meets the requirements of a 
qualified physician under this section; and 
(2) certification that the physical condition of 
the operator is adequate to enable such operator to op-
erate a commercial motor vehicle safely.
474 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) 
PHYSICIAN-APPROVED
VETERAN
OPER-
ATOR.—The term ‘‘physician-approved veteran oper-
ator’’ means an operator of a commercial motor vehi-
cle who— 
(A) is a veteran who is enrolled in the 
health care system established under section 
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; and 
(B) is required to have a current valid med-
ical certificate pursuant to section 31149 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN.—The term ‘‘qualified 
physician’’ means a physician who— 
(A) is employed in the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; 
(B) is familiar with the standards for, and 
physical requirements of, an operator certified 
pursuant to section 31149 of title 49, United 
States Code; and 
(C) has never, with respect such section, 
been found to have acted fraudulently, including 
by fraudulently awarding a medical certificate.
475 
(3) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(d) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to change any statutory penalty as-
sociated with fraud or abuse. 
Subtitle E—General Provisions 
SEC. 5501. MINIMUM FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. 
(a) TRANSPORTING PROPERTY.—If the Secretary pro-
ceeds with a rulemaking to determine whether to increase 
the minimum levels of financial responsibility required 
under section 31139 of title 49, United States Code, the Sec-
retary shall consider, prior to issuing a final rule— 
(1) the rulemaking’s potential impact on— 
(A) the safety of motor vehicle transpor-
tation; and 
(B) the motor carrier industry, including 
small and minority motor carriers and inde-
pendent owner-operators; 
(2) the ability of the insurance industry to pro-
vide the required amount of insurance; 
(3) the extent to which current minimum levels 
of financial responsibility adequately cover— 
(A) medical care; 
(B) compensation;
476 
(C) attorney fees; and 
(D) other identifiable costs; 
(4) the frequency with which insurance claims 
exceed current minimum levels of financial responsi-
bility in fatal accidents; and 
(5) the impact of increased levels on motor car-
rier safety and accident reduction. 
(b) TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Prior to initiating a rule-
making to change the minimum levels of financial re-
sponsibility under section 31138 of title 49, United 
States Code, the Secretary shall complete a study spe-
cific to the minimum financial responsibility require-
ments for motor carriers of passengers. 
(2) STUDY
CONTENTS.—A study under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) a review of accidents, injuries, and fa-
talities in the over-the-road bus and school bus 
industries; 
(B) a review of insurance held by over-the- 
road bus and public and private school bus com-
panies, including companies of various sizes, 
and an analysis of whether such insurance is 
adequate to cover claims;
477 
(C) an analysis of whether and how insur-
ance affects the behavior and safety record of 
motor carriers of passengers, including with re-
spect to crash reduction; and 
(D) an analysis of the anticipated impacts 
of an increase in financial responsibility on in-
surance premiums for passenger carriers and 
service availability. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting a study 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult 
with— 
(A) representatives of the over-the-road bus 
and private school bus transportation industries, 
including representatives of bus drivers; and 
(B) insurers of motor carriers of passengers. 
(4) REPORT.—If the Secretary undertakes a 
study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
study. 
SEC. 5502. DELAYS IN GOODS MOVEMENT. 
(a) REPORT.—
478 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
the average length of time that operators of commer-
cial motor vehicles are delayed before the loading and 
unloading of such vehicles and at other points in the 
pick-up and delivery process. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(A) an assessment of how delays impact— 
(i) the economy; 
(ii) the efficiency of the transportation 
system; 
(iii) motor carrier safety, including the 
extent to which delays result in violations of 
motor carrier safety regulations; and 
(iv) the livelihood of motor carrier 
drivers; and 
(B) recommendations on how delays could 
be mitigated. 
(b) COLLECTION OF DATA.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
479 
establish by regulation a process to collect data on delays 
experienced by operators of commercial motor vehicles be-
fore the loading and unloading of such vehicles and at other 
points in the pick-up and delivery process. 
SEC. 5503. REPORT ON MOTOR CARRIER FINANCIAL RE-
SPONSIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 1, 2016, the 
Secretary shall publish on a publicly accessible Internet 
Web site of the Department a report on the minimum levels 
of financial responsibility required under section 31139 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include an analysis of— 
(1) the differences between State insurance re-
quirements and Federal requirements; 
(2) the extent to which current minimum levels 
of financial responsibility adequately cover— 
(A) medical care; 
(B) compensation; 
(C) attorney fees; and 
(D) other identifiable costs; and 
(3) the frequency with which insurance claims 
exceed the current minimum levels of financial re-
sponsibility.
480 
SEC. 5504. EMERGENCY ROUTE WORKING GROUP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall establish a working group to determine best 
practices for expeditious State approval of special 
permits for vehicles involved in emergency response 
and recovery. 
(2) MEMBERS.—The working group shall include 
representatives from— 
(A) State highway transportation depart-
ments or agencies; 
(B) relevant modal agencies within the De-
partment; 
(C) emergency response or recovery experts; 
(D) relevant safety groups; and 
(E) entities affected by special permit re-
strictions during emergency response and recov-
ery efforts. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In determining best practices 
under subsection (a), the working group shall consider 
whether— 
(1) impediments currently exist that prevent ex-
peditious State approval of special permits for vehi-
cles involved in emergency response and recovery;
481 
(2) it is possible to pre-identify and establish 
emergency routes between States through which infra-
structure repair materials could be delivered following 
a natural disaster or emergency; 
(3) a State could pre-designate an emergency 
route identified under paragraph (2) as a certified 
emergency route if a motor vehicle that exceeds the 
otherwise applicable Federal and State truck length 
or width limits may safely operate along such route 
during periods of declared emergency and recovery 
from such periods; and 
(4) an online map could be created to identify 
each pre-designated emergency route under paragraph 
(3), including information on specific limitations, ob-
ligations, and notification requirements along that 
route. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the working group 
shall submit to the Secretary a report on its findings 
under this section and any recommendations for the 
implementation of best practices for expeditious State 
approval of special permits for vehicles involved in 
emergency response and recovery.
482 
(2) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date the Secretary receives the report under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall publish the report on 
a publicly accessible Internet Web site of the Depart-
ment. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date the Secretary receives the report under subsection 
(c)(1), the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate on the actions the Secretary and 
the States have taken to implement the recommendations 
included in the report. 
(e) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group. 
(f) TERMINATION.—The working group shall terminate 
1 year after the date the Secretary receives the report under 
subsection (c)(1). 
SEC. 5505. HOUSEHOLD GOODS CONSUMER PROTECTION 
WORKING GROUP. 
(a) WORKING GROUP.—The Secretary shall establish 
a working group for the purpose of developing recommenda-
tions on how to best convey to inexperienced consumers the 
information such consumers need to know with respect to
483 
the Federal laws concerning the interstate transportation 
of household goods by motor carrier. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the working group is comprised of individuals with exper-
tise in consumer affairs, educators with expertise in how 
people learn most effectively, and representatives of the 
household goods moving industry. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
(1) CONTENTS.—The recommendations developed 
by the working group shall include recommendations 
on— 
(A) condensing publication ESA 03005 of 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
into a format that is more easily used by con-
sumers; 
(B) using state-of-the-art education tech-
niques and technologies, including optimizing 
the use of the Internet as an educational tool; 
and 
(C) reducing and simplifying the paperwork 
required of motor carriers and shippers in inter-
state transportation. 
(2) DEADLINE.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act—
484 
(A) the working group shall make the rec-
ommendations described in paragraph (1); and 
(B) the Secretary shall publish the rec-
ommendations on a publicly accessible Internet 
Web site of the Department. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the working group makes its recommendations under 
subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall issue a report to Con-
gress on the implementation of such recommendations. 
(e) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group. 
(f) TERMINATION.—The working group shall terminate 
1 year after the date the working group makes its rec-
ommendations under subsection (c)(2). 
SEC. 5506. TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 
information technology and data collection and manage-
ment systems of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-
tration. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) evaluate the efficacy of the existing informa-
tion technology, data collection, processing systems,
485 
data correction procedures, and data management 
systems and programs, including their interaction 
with each other and their efficacy in meeting user 
needs; 
(2) identify any redundancies among the sys-
tems, procedures, and programs described in para-
graph (1); 
(3) explore the feasibility of consolidating data 
collection and processing systems; 
(4) evaluate the ability of the systems, proce-
dures, and programs described in paragraph (1) to 
meet the needs of— 
(A) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad-
ministration, at both the headquarters and State 
levels; 
(B) the State agencies that implement the 
motor carrier safety assistance program under 
section 31102 of title 49, United States Code; 
and 
(C) other users; 
(5) evaluate the adaptability of the systems, pro-
cedures, and programs described in paragraph (1), in 
order to make necessary future changes to ensure user 
needs are met in an easier, timely, and more cost-effi-
cient manner;
486 
(6) investigate and make recommendations re-
garding— 
(A) deficiencies in existing data sets im-
pacting program effectiveness; and 
(B) methods to improve user interfaces; and 
(7) identify the appropriate role the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration should take 
with respect to software and information systems de-
sign, development, and maintenance for the purpose 
of improving the efficacy of the systems, procedures, 
and programs described in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 5507. NOTIFICATION REGARDING MOTOR CARRIER 
REGISTRATION. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate written notification of the ac-
tions the Secretary is taking to ensure, to the greatest extent 
practicable, that each application for registration under 
section 13902 of title 49, United States Code, is processed 
not later than 30 days after the date on which the applica-
tion is received by the Secretary.
487 
SEC. 5508. REPORT ON COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE 
SKILLS TEST DELAYS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and each year thereafter, the Administrator of the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report 
that— 
(1) describes, for each State, the status of skills 
testing for applicants for a commercial driver’s li-
cense, including— 
(A) the average wait time, by month and lo-
cation, from the date an applicant requests to 
take a skills test to the date the applicant com-
pletes such test; 
(B) the average wait time, by month and lo-
cation, from the date an applicant, upon failure 
of a skills test, requests a retest to the date the 
applicant completes such retest; 
(C) the actual number of qualified commer-
cial driver’s license examiners, by month and lo-
cation, available to test applicants; and 
(D) the number of testing sites available 
through the State department of motor vehicles
488 
and whether this number has increased or de-
creased from the previous year; and 
(2) describes specific steps that the Adminis-
trator is taking to address skills testing delays in 
States that have average skills test or retest wait 
times of more than 7 days from the date an applicant 
requests to test or retest to the date the applicant com-
pletes such test or retest. 
SEC. 5509. COVERED FARM VEHICLES. 
Section 32934(b)(1) of MAP–21 (49 U.S.C. 31136 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘from’’ and all that follows 
through the period at end and inserting the following: 
‘‘from— 
‘‘(A) a requirement described in subsection 
(a) or a compatible State requirement; or 
‘‘(B) any other minimum standard pro-
vided by a State relating to the operation of that 
vehicle.’’. 
SEC. 5510. OPERATORS OF HI-RAIL VEHICLES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a commercial motor 
vehicle driver subject to the hours of service requirements 
in part 395 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, who 
is driving a hi-rail vehicle, the maximum on duty time 
under section 395.3 of such title for such driver shall not
489 
include time in transportation to or from a duty assign-
ment if such time in transportation— 
(1) does not exceed 2 hours per calendar day or 
a total of 30 hours per calendar month; and 
(2) is fully and accurately accounted for in 
records to be maintained by the motor carrier and 
such records are made available upon request of the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the 
Federal Railroad Administration. 
(b) EMERGENCY.—In the case of a train accident, an 
act of God, a train derailment, or a major equipment fail-
ure or track condition that prevents a train from advanc-
ing, a driver described in subsection (a) may complete a 
run without being in violation of the provisions of part 395 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(c) HI-RAIL VEHICLE DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘hi-rail vehicle’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 214.7 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as 
in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5511. ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 31137(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(C) by striking ‘‘apply to’’ 
and inserting ‘‘except as provided in paragraph (3), 
apply to’’; and
490 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTION.—A motor carrier, when trans-
porting a motor home or recreation vehicle trailer 
within the definition of the term ‘driveaway-towaway 
operation’ (as defined in section 390.5 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations), may comply with the 
hours of service requirements by requiring each driver 
to use— 
‘‘(A) a paper record of duty status form; or 
‘‘(B) an electronic logging device.’’. 
SEC. 5512. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) TITLE 49.—Title 49, United States Code, is 
amended as follows: 
(1) Section 13902(i)(2) is amended by inserting 
‘‘except as’’ before ‘‘described’’. 
(2) Section 13903(d) is amended by striking ‘‘(d) 
REGISTRATION AS MOTOR CARRIER REQUIRED.—’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A 
freight forwarder’’ and inserting ‘‘(d) REGISTRATION 
AS
MOTOR
CARRIER
REQUIRED.—A freight for-
warder’’. 
(3) Section 13905(d)(2)(D) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Secretary finds 
that—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(i) the
491 
motor carrier,’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary 
finds that the motor carrier,’’; and 
(B) by adding a period at the end. 
(4) Section 14901(h) is amended by striking 
‘‘HOUSEHOLD GOODS’’ in the heading. 
(5) Section 14916 is amended by striking the 
section designation and heading and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 14916. Unlawful brokerage activities’’. 
(b) MAP–21.—Effective as of July 6, 2012, and as if 
included therein as enacted, MAP–21 (Public Law 112– 
141) is amended as follows: 
(1) Section 32108(a)(4) (126 Stat. 782) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘for’’ before ‘‘each additional 
day’’ in the matter proposed to be struck. 
(2) Section 32301(b)(3) (126 Stat. 786) is 
amended by striking ‘‘by amending (a) to read as fol-
lows:’’ and inserting ‘‘by striking subsection (a) and 
inserting the following:’’. 
(3) Section 32302(c)(2)(B) (126 Stat. 789) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 32303(c)(1)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 32302(c)(1)’’. 
(4) Section 32921(b) (126 Stat. 828) is amended, 
in the matter to be inserted, by striking ‘‘(A) In addi-
tion’’ and inserting the following:
492 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition’’. 
(5) Section 32931(c) (126 Stat. 829) is amend-
ed— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ in the matter to 
be struck; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ in the matter to 
be inserted. 
(c) MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
1999.—Section 229(a)(1) of the Motor Carrier Safety Im-
provement Act of 1999 (49 U.S.C. 31136 note) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘of title 49, United States Code,’’ after ‘‘sec-
tions 31136 and 31502’’. 
SEC. 5513. AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTER. 
(a) AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTER DEFINED.—Section 
31111(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘specifically’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘An 
automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from 
the transport of cargo or general freight on a 
backhaul, so long as it complies with weight limita-
tions for a truck tractor and semitrailer combina-
tion.’’.
493 
(b) 
TRUCK
TRACTOR
DEFINED.—Section 
31111(a)(3)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘only’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ‘‘or any other commodity, including cargo 
or general freight on a backhaul’’. 
(c) BACKHAUL DEFINED.—Section 31111(a) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(5) BACKHAUL.—The term ‘backhaul’ means the 
return trip of a vehicle transporting cargo or general 
freight, especially when carrying goods back over all 
or part of the same route.’’. 
(d) 
STINGER-STEERED
AUTOMOBILE
TRANS-
PORTERS.—Section 31111(b)(1) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) imposes a vehicle length limitation of less 
than 80 feet on a stinger-steered automobile trans-
494 
porter with a front overhang of less than 4 feet and 
a rear overhang of less than 6 feet.’’. 
SEC. 5514. READY MIX CONCRETE DELIVERY VEHICLES. 
Section 31502 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) READY
MIXED
CONCRETE
DELIVERY
VEHI-
CLES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, regulations issued under this section 
or section 31136 (including section 1(e)(1)(ii) of part 
395 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) regard-
ing reporting, recordkeeping, or documentation of 
duty status, shall not apply to any driver of a ready 
mixed concrete delivery vehicle if— 
‘‘(A) the driver operates within a 100 air- 
mile radius of the normal work reporting loca-
tion; 
‘‘(B) the driver returns to the work report-
ing location and is released from work within 14 
consecutive hours; 
‘‘(C) the driver has at least 10 consecutive 
hours off duty following each 14 hours on duty; 
‘‘(D) the driver does not exceed 11 hours 
maximum driving time following 10 consecutive 
hours off duty; and
495 
‘‘(E) the motor carrier that employs the 
driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 
months accurate and true time records that 
show— 
‘‘(i) the time the driver reports for 
duty each day; 
‘‘(ii) the total number of hours the 
driver is on duty each day; 
‘‘(iii) the time the driver is released 
from duty each day; and 
‘‘(iv) the total time for the preceding 
driving week the driver is used for the first 
time or intermittently. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term 
‘driver of ready mixed concrete delivery vehicle’ 
means a driver of a vehicle designed to deliver ready 
mixed concrete on a daily basis and is equipped with 
a mechanism under which the vehicle’s propulsion en-
gine provides the power to operate a mixer drum to 
agitate and mix the product en route to the delivery 
site.’’. 
SEC. 5515. SAFETY STUDY REGARDING DOUBLE-DECKER 
MOTORCOACHES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation, in con-
sultation with State transportation safety officials, shall
496 
conduct a study regarding the safety operations, fire sup-
pression capability, tire loads, and pavement impacts of op-
erating a double-decker motorcoach equipped with a device 
designed by the motorcoach manufacturer to attach to the 
rear of the motorcoach for use in transporting passenger 
baggage. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report 
containing the results of the study to— 
(1) the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives; and 
(2) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 5516. TRANSPORTATION OF CONSTRUCTION MATE-
RIALS AND EQUIPMENT. 
Section 229(e)(4) of the Motor Carrier Safety Improve-
ment Act of 1999 (49 U.S.C. 31136 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘50 air mile radius’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘75 air mile radius’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘the driver.’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
driver, except that a State, upon notice to the Sec-
retary, may establish a different air mile radius limi-
tation for purposes of this paragraph if such limita-
tion is between 50 and 75 air miles and applies only
497 
to movements that take place entirely within the 
State.’’. 
SEC. 5517. COMMERCIAL DELIVERY OF LIGHT- AND ME-
DIUM-DUTY TRAILERS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 31111(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5) TRAILER TRANSPORTER TOWING UNIT.—The 
term ‘trailer transporter towing unit’ means a power 
unit that is not used to carry property when oper-
ating in a towaway trailer transporter combination. 
‘‘(6) TOWAWAY TRAILER TRANSPORTER COMBINA-
TION.—The term ‘towaway trailer transporter com-
bination’ means a combination of vehicles consisting 
of a trailer transporter towing unit and two trailers 
or semitrailers— 
‘‘(A) with a total weight that does not ex-
ceed 26,000 pounds; and 
‘‘(B) in which the trailers or semitrailers 
carry no property and constitute inventory prop-
erty of a manufacturer, distributor or dealer of 
such trailers or semitrailers.’’. 
(b) GENERAL LIMITATIONS.—Section 31111(b)(1) of 
such title is amended—
498 
(1) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) has the effect of imposing an overall 
length limitation of less than 82 feet on a 
towaway trailer transporter combination.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) PROPERTY-CARRYING
UNIT
LIMITATION.— 
Section 31112(a)(1) of such title is amended by in-
serting before the period at the end the following: ‘‘, 
but not including a trailer or a semitrailer trans-
ported as part of a towaway trailer transporter com-
bination, as defined in section 31111(a)’’. 
(2) ACCESS TO INTERSTATE SYSTEM.—Section 
31114(a)(2) of such title is amended by inserting 
‘‘any towaway trailer transporter combination, as de-
fined in section 31111(a),’’ after ‘‘passengers,’’. 
SEC. 5518. GAO REVIEW OF SCHOOL BUS SAFETY. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
499 
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a review of the following: 
(1) Existing Federal and State rules and guid-
ance, as of the date of the review, concerning school 
bus transportation of elementary school and sec-
ondary school students engaging in home-to-school 
transport or other transport determined by the Comp-
troller General to be a routine part of kindergarten 
through grade 12 education, including regulations 
and guidance regarding driver training programs, ca-
pacity requirements, programs for special needs stu-
dents, inspection standards, vehicle age requirements, 
best practices, and public access to inspection results 
and crash records. 
(2) Any correlation between public or private 
school bus fleet operators whose vehicles are involved 
in an accident as defined by section 390.5 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and each of the fol-
lowing: 
(A) A failure by those same operators of 
State or local safety inspections. 
(B) The average age or odometer readings of 
the school buses in the fleets of such operators.
500 
(C) Violations of Federal laws administered 
by the Department of Transportation, or of State 
law equivalents of such laws. 
(D) Violations of State or local law relating 
to illegal passing of a school bus. 
(3) A regulatory framework comparison of public 
and private school bus operations. 
(4) Expert recommendations on best practices for 
safe and reliable school bus transportation, including 
driver training programs, inspection standards, 
school bus age and odometer reading maximums for 
retirement, the percentage of buses in a local bus fleet 
needed as spare buses, and capacity levels per school 
bus for different age groups. 
TITLE VI—INNOVATION 
SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Transportation for To-
morrow Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 6002. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The following amounts are author-
ized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund 
(other than the Mass Transit Account): 
(1) HIGHWAY
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM.—To carry out section 503(b) of title 23,
501 
United States Code, $125,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 through 2021. 
(2) TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPLOYMENT 
PROGRAM.—To carry out section 503(c) of title 23, 
United States Code— 
(A) $67,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
(B) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2017; 
(C) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
(D) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
(E) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(F) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
(3) TRAINING AND EDUCATION.—To carry out 
section 504 of title 23, United States Code 
$24,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
2021. 
(4) INTELLIGENT
TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEMS 
PROGRAM.—To carry out sections 512 through 518 of 
title 23, United States Code $100,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2016 through 2021. 
(5) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS PRO-
GRAM.—To carry out section 5505 of title 49, United 
States Code— 
(A) $72,500,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
(B) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; 
(C) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
502 
(D) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
(E) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(F) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
(6) BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.— 
To carry out chapter 63 of title 49, United States 
Code, $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2021. 
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF TITLE 23, UNITED STATES 
CODE.—Funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection 
(a) shall— 
(1) be available for obligation in the same man-
ner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 
1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Fed-
eral share of the cost of a project or activity carried 
out using those funds shall be 80 percent, unless oth-
erwise expressly provided by this Act (including the 
amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined by 
the Secretary; and 
(2) remain available until expended and not be 
transferable, except as otherwise provided in this Act. 
SEC. 6003. ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION AND CONGESTION 
MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES DEPLOYMENT. 
Section 503(c) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
503 
‘‘(4) 
ADVANCED
TRANSPORTATION
TECH-
NOLOGIES DEPLOYMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this para-
graph, the Secretary shall establish an advanced 
transportation and congestion management tech-
nologies deployment initiative to provide grants 
to eligible entities to develop model deployment 
sites for large scale installation and operation of 
advanced transportation technologies to improve 
safety, efficiency, system performance, and infra-
structure return on investment. 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall de-
velop criteria for selection of an eligible entity to 
receive a grant under this paragraph, including 
how the deployment of technology will— 
‘‘(i) reduce costs and improve return 
on investments, including through the en-
hanced use of existing transportation capac-
ity; 
‘‘(ii) deliver environmental benefits 
that alleviate congestion and streamline 
traffic flow;
504 
‘‘(iii) measure and improve the oper-
ational performance of the applicable trans-
portation network; 
‘‘(iv) reduce the number and severity of 
traffic crashes and increase driver, pas-
senger, and pedestrian safety; 
‘‘(v) collect, disseminate, and use real- 
time traffic, transit, parking, and other 
transportation-related information to im-
prove mobility, reduce congestion, and pro-
vide for more efficient and accessible trans-
portation; 
‘‘(vi) monitor transportation assets to 
improve infrastructure management, reduce 
maintenance costs, prioritize investment de-
cisions, and ensure a state of good repair; 
‘‘(vii) deliver economic benefits by re-
ducing delays, improving system perform-
ance, and providing for the efficient and re-
liable movement of goods and services; or 
‘‘(viii) accelerate the deployment of ve-
hicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, au-
tonomous vehicles, and other technologies. 
‘‘(C) APPLICATIONS.—
505 
‘‘(i) REQUEST.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this 
paragraph, and for every fiscal year there-
after, the Secretary shall request applica-
tions in accordance with clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) CONTENTS.—An application sub-
mitted under this subparagraph shall in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(I) PLAN.—A plan to deploy and 
provide for the long-term operation 
and maintenance of advanced trans-
portation and congestion management 
technologies to improve safety, effi-
ciency, system performance, and return 
on investment. 
‘‘(II) OBJECTIVES.—Quantifiable 
system 
performance 
improvements, 
such as— 
‘‘(aa) reducing traffic-related 
crashes, congestion, and costs; 
‘‘(bb) optimizing system effi-
ciency; and 
‘‘(cc) improving access to 
transportation services.
506 
‘‘(III) 
RESULTS.—Quantifiable 
safety, mobility, and environmental 
benefit projections such as data-driven 
estimates of how the project will im-
prove the region’s transportation sys-
tem efficiency and reduce traffic con-
gestion. 
‘‘(IV) PARTNERSHIPS.—A plan 
for partnering with the private sector 
or 
public 
agencies, 
including 
multimodal 
and 
multijurisdictional 
entities, research institutions, organi-
zations 
representing 
transportation 
and technology leaders, or other trans-
portation stakeholders. 
‘‘(V) LEVERAGING.—A plan to le-
verage and optimize existing local and 
regional advanced transportation tech-
nology investments. 
‘‘(D) GRANT SELECTION.— 
‘‘(i) GRANT AWARDS.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this 
paragraph, and for every fiscal year there-
after, the Secretary shall award grants to
507 
not less than 5 and not more than 8 eligible 
entities. 
‘‘(ii) 
GEOGRAPHIC
DIVERSITY.—In 
awarding a grant under this paragraph, the 
Secretary shall ensure, to the extent prac-
ticable, that grant recipients represent di-
verse geographic areas of the United States. 
‘‘(E) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—A grant re-
cipient may use funds awarded under this para-
graph to deploy advanced transportation and 
congestion management technologies, including— 
‘‘(i) advanced traveler information sys-
tems; 
‘‘(ii) advanced transportation manage-
ment technologies; 
‘‘(iii) 
infrastructure 
maintenance, 
monitoring, and condition assessment; 
‘‘(iv) advanced public transportation 
systems; 
‘‘(v) transportation system perform-
ance data collection, analysis, and dissemi-
nation systems; 
‘‘(vi) advanced safety systems, includ-
ing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infra-
structure communications, technologies asso-
508 
ciated with autonomous vehicles, and other 
collision avoidance technologies, including 
systems using cellular technology; 
‘‘(vii) integration of intelligent trans-
portation systems with the Smart Grid and 
other energy distribution and charging sys-
tems; 
‘‘(viii) electronic pricing and payment 
systems; or 
‘‘(ix) advanced mobility and access 
technologies, such as dynamic ridesharing 
and information systems to support human 
services for elderly and disabled individuals. 
‘‘(F) REPORT
TO
SECRETARY.—Not later 
than 1 year after an eligible entity receives a 
grant under this paragraph, and each year 
thereafter, the entity shall submit a report to the 
Secretary that describes— 
‘‘(i) deployment and operational costs 
of the project compared to the benefits and 
savings the project provides; and 
‘‘(ii) how the project has met the origi-
nal expectations projected in the deployment 
plan submitted with the application, such 
as—
509 
‘‘(I) data on how the project has 
helped reduce traffic crashes, conges-
tion, costs, and other benefits of the de-
ployed systems; 
‘‘(II) data on the effect of meas-
uring and improving transportation 
system performance through the de-
ployment of advanced technologies; 
‘‘(III) the effectiveness of pro-
viding real-time integrated traffic, 
transit, and multimodal transpor-
tation information to the public to 
make informed travel decisions; and 
‘‘(IV) lessons learned and rec-
ommendations for future deployment 
strategies to optimize transportation 
efficiency and multimodal system per-
formance. 
‘‘(G) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date that the first grant is awarded under 
this paragraph, and each year thereafter, the 
Secretary shall make available to the public on 
an Internet Web site a report that describes the 
effectiveness of grant recipients in meeting their 
projected deployment plans, including data pro-
510 
vided under subparagraph (F) on how the pro-
gram has— 
‘‘(i) reduced traffic-related fatalities 
and injuries; 
‘‘(ii) reduced traffic congestion and 
improved travel time reliability; 
‘‘(iii) reduced transportation-related 
emissions; 
‘‘(iv) optimized multimodal system 
performance; 
‘‘(v) improved access to transportation 
alternatives; 
‘‘(vi) provided the public with access to 
real-time integrated traffic, transit, and 
multimodal transportation information to 
make informed travel decisions; 
‘‘(vii) provided cost savings to trans-
portation agencies, businesses, and the trav-
eling public; or 
‘‘(viii) provided other benefits to trans-
portation users and the general public. 
‘‘(H) ADDITIONAL GRANTS.—The Secretary 
may cease to provide additional grant funds to 
a recipient of a grant under this paragraph if—
511 
‘‘(i) the Secretary determines from 
such recipient’s report that the recipient is 
not carrying out the requirements of the 
grant; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary provides written no-
tice 60 days prior to withholding funds to 
the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works of the Senate. 
‘‘(I) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—From funds made 
available to carry out section 503(b), this 
subsection, and sections 512 through 518, 
the Secretary shall set aside for grants 
awarded 
under 
subparagraph 
(D) 
$75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2021. 
‘‘(ii) 
EXPENSES
FOR
THE
SEC-
RETARY.—Of the amounts set aside under 
clause (i), the Secretary may set aside 
$2,000,000 each fiscal year for program re-
porting, evaluation, and administrative 
costs related to this paragraph.
512 
‘‘(J) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share 
of the cost of a project for which a grant is 
awarded under this subsection shall not exceed 
50 percent of the cost of the project. 
‘‘(K) GRANT
LIMITATION.—The Secretary 
may not award more than 20 percent of the 
amount described under subparagraph (I) in a 
fiscal year to a single grant recipient. 
‘‘(L) EXPENSES FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS.— 
A grant recipient under this paragraph may use 
not more than 5 percent of the funds awarded 
each fiscal year to carry out planning and re-
porting requirements. 
‘‘(M) GRANT FLEXIBILITY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If, by August 1 of 
each fiscal year, the Secretary determines 
that there are not enough grant applications 
that meet the requirements described in sub-
paragraph (C) to carry out this section for 
a fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer to 
the programs specified in clause (ii)— 
‘‘(I) any of the funds reserved for 
the fiscal year under subparagraph (I) 
that the Secretary has not yet awarded 
under this paragraph; and
513 
‘‘(II) an amount of obligation 
limitation equal to the amount of 
funds that the Secretary transfers 
under subclause (I). 
‘‘(ii) PROGRAMS.—The programs re-
ferred to in clause (i) are— 
‘‘(I) the program under section 
503(b); 
‘‘(II) the program under section 
503(c); and 
‘‘(III) the programs under sec-
tions 512 through 518. 
‘‘(iii) DISTRIBUTION.—Any transfer of 
funds and obligation limitation under 
clause (i) shall be divided among the pro-
grams referred to in that clause in the same 
proportions as the Secretary originally re-
served funding from the programs for the 
fiscal year under subparagraph (I). 
‘‘(N) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph, the 
following definitions apply: 
‘‘(i) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eli-
gible entity’ means a State or local govern-
ment, a transit agency, metropolitan plan-
ning organization representing a popu-
514 
lation of over 200,000, or other political 
subdivision of a State or local government 
or a multijurisdictional group or a con-
sortia of research institutions or academic 
institutions. 
‘‘(ii) 
ADVANCED
AND
CONGESTION 
MANAGEMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TECH-
NOLOGIES.—The term ‘advanced transpor-
tation and congestion management tech-
nologies’ means technologies that improve 
the efficiency, safety, or state of good repair 
of surface transportation systems, including 
intelligent transportation systems. 
‘‘(iii) 
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL 
GROUP.—The 
term 
‘multijurisdictional 
group’ means a any combination of State 
governments, locals governments, metropoli-
tan planning agencies, transit agencies, or 
other political subdivisions of a State for 
which each member of the group— 
‘‘(I) has signed a written agree-
ment to implement the advanced trans-
portation technologies deployment ini-
tiative across jurisdictional bound-
aries; and
515 
‘‘(II) is an eligible entity under 
this paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 6004. TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPLOYMENT 
PROGRAM. 
Section 503(c)(3) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘2013 
through 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘2016 through 2021’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall 
make available to the public on an Internet Web 
site on an annual basis a report on the cost and 
benefits from deployment of new technology and 
innovations that substantially and directly re-
sulted from the program established under this 
paragraph. The report may include an analysis 
of— 
‘‘(i) Federal, State, and local cost sav-
ings; 
‘‘(ii) project delivery time improve-
ments; 
‘‘(iii) reduced fatalities; and 
‘‘(iv) congestion impacts.’’.
516 
SEC. 6005. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM GOALS. 
Section 514(a) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (5) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) enhancement of the national freight system 
and support to national freight policy goals by con-
ducting heavy duty vehicle demonstration activities 
and accelerating adoption of intelligent transpor-
tation system applications in freight operations.’’. 
SEC. 6006. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PRO-
GRAM REPORT. 
Section 515(h)(4) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘February 1 of each year after 
the date of enactment of the Transportation Research 
and Innovative Technology Act of 2012’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘May 1 of each year’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘submit to Congress’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘make available to the public on a Department 
of Transportation Web site’’.
517 
SEC. 6007. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NA-
TIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS. 
Section 517(a)(3) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘memberships are comprised of, and 
represent,’’ and inserting ‘‘memberships include representa-
tives of’’. 
SEC. 6008. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS DEPLOYMENT RE-
PORT. 
Section 518(a) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘Not later than 3’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘House of Representatives’’ and inserting ‘‘Not 
later than July 6, 2016, the Secretary shall make available 
to the public on a Department of Transportation Web site 
a report’’. 
SEC. 6009. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 5 of title 23, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 519. Infrastructure development 
‘‘Funds made available to carry out this chapter for 
operational tests— 
‘‘(1) shall be used primarily for the development 
of intelligent transportation system infrastructure, 
equipment, and systems; and 
‘‘(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall 
not be used for the construction of physical surface 
transportation infrastructure unless the construction
518 
is incidental and critically necessary to the imple-
mentation of an intelligent transportation system 
project.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘519. Infrastructure development.’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating 
to section 512 in the analysis for chapter 5 of title 
23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘512. National ITS program plan.’’. 
SEC. 6010. DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS. 
(a) ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
FOR
RESEARCH
AND 
TECHNOLOGY.—Section 102(e) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘5’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘6’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (1)(A) by inserting ‘‘an Assist-
ant Secretary for Research and Technology,’’ after 
‘‘Governmental Affairs,’’. 
(b) RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—Section 330 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘con-
tracts’’ and inserting ‘‘activities’’;
519 
(2) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘The Secretary 
of’’ and inserting ‘‘IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of’’; 
(3) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘In carrying’’ 
and inserting ‘‘RESPONSIBILITIES.—In carrying’’; 
(4) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ 
and inserting ‘‘PUBLICATIONS.—The Secretary’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Secretary shall provide for the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Coordination, facilitation, and review of 
Department of Transportation research and develop-
ment programs and activities. 
‘‘(2) Advancement, and research and develop-
ment, of innovative technologies, including intelligent 
transportation systems. 
‘‘(3) Comprehensive transportation statistics re-
search, analysis, and reporting. 
‘‘(4) Education and training in transportation 
and transportation-related fields. 
‘‘(5) Activities of the Volpe National Transpor-
tation Systems Center. 
‘‘(6) Coordination in support of multimodal and 
multidisciplinary research activities. 
‘‘(e) 
ADDITIONAL
AUTHORITIES.—The 
Secretary 
may—
520 
‘‘(1) enter into grants and cooperative agree-
ments with Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ment agencies, other public entities, private organiza-
tions, and other persons to conduct research into 
transportation service and infrastructure assurance 
and to carry out other research activities of the De-
partment of Transportation; 
‘‘(2) carry out, on a cost-shared basis, collabo-
rative research and development to encourage innova-
tive solutions to multimodal transportation problems 
and stimulate the deployment of new technology 
with— 
‘‘(A) non-Federal entities, including State 
and local governments, foreign governments, in-
stitutions of higher education, corporations, in-
stitutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and 
trade associations that are incorporated or estab-
lished under the laws of any State; 
‘‘(B) Federal laboratories; and 
‘‘(C) other Federal agencies; and 
‘‘(3) directly initiate contracts, grants, coopera-
tive research and development agreements (as defined 
in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology In-
novation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)), and other 
agreements to fund, and accept funds from, the
521 
Transportation Research Board of the National Acad-
emies, State departments of transportation, cities, 
counties, institutions of higher education, associa-
tions, and the agents of those entities to carry out 
joint transportation research and technology efforts. 
‘‘(f) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the 
Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out 
under subsection (e)(3) shall not exceed 50 percent. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—If the Secretary determines 
that the activity is of substantial public interest or 
benefit, the Secretary may approve a greater Federal 
share. 
‘‘(3) NON-FEDERAL
SHARE.—All costs directly 
incurred by the non-Federal partners, including per-
sonnel, travel, facility, and hardware development 
costs, shall be credited toward the non-Federal share 
of the cost of an activity described in subsection 
(e)(3). 
‘‘(g) PROGRAM EVALUATION AND OVERSIGHT.—For 
each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, the Secretary is au-
thorized to expend not more than 1 and a half percent of 
the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the coordina-
tion, evaluation, and oversight of the programs adminis-
522 
tered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research 
and Technology. 
‘‘(h) USE OF TECHNOLOGY.—The research, develop-
ment, or use of a technology under a contract, grant, cooper-
ative research and development agreement, or other agree-
ment entered into under this section, including the terms 
under which the technology may be licensed and the result-
ing royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the Ste-
venson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3701 et seq.). 
‘‘(i) WAIVER OF ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS.—Sec-
tion 6101 of title 41 shall not apply to a contract, grant, 
or other agreement entered into under this section.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating to sec-
tion 330 in the analysis of chapter 3 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘330. Research activities.’’. 
(d) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) TITLE 5 AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) POSITIONS AT LEVEL II.—Section 5313 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘The Under Secretary of Transportation 
for Security.’’. 
(B) POSITIONS AT LEVEL IV.—Section 5315 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the 
undesignated item relating to Assistant Secre-
523 
taries of Transportation by striking ‘‘(4)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(5)’’. 
(C) POSITIONS AT LEVEL V.—Section 5316 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘Associate Deputy Secretary, Depart-
ment of Transportation.’’. 
(2) BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.— 
Section 6302(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be within the Depart-
ment of Transportation the Bureau of Transportation Sta-
tistics.’’. 
SEC. 6011. RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AD-
MINISTRATION. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 112 of title 49, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
1 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 112. 
SEC. 6012. OFFICE OF INTERMODALISM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 5503 of title 49, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
55 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 5503.