ARTBA Comments on U.S. DOT Research & Tech Plan

What happened: ARTBA made recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) for its Research, Development, and Technology Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2022-2026. The association’s Research and Education Division developed the recommendations in January.

Why it matters: U.S. DOT seeks to make improvements in six strategic areas related to transportation safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, climate and sustainability, transformation, and organizational excellence. ARTBA’s recommendations urge the agency to focus on four core principles:

• a balanced approach to research initiatives
• promoting experimentation and learning
• greater interaction with transportation industry stakeholders
• providing opportunities for open-ended research.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in last November ‘provides a generational opportunity for U.S. DOT, state and local transportation agencies, and the industry to work together in improving the nation’s transportation infrastructure,’ ARTBA President Dave Bauer said in the March 4 recommendations letter. ‘Research and technology are important contributors to securing that outcome and fostering future innovation.’

What’s next: ARTBA will remain in contact with U.S. DOT as the Strategic Plan is finalized. There is no specific time frame for the agency to act on the recommendations.