Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is providing notice that it is engaging in a strategic planning effort that will guide the Department’s research, development, and technology activities as required by SAFETEA-LU. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)’s Office of Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) is coordinating this effort in collaboration with partner modal administrations and offices across the U.S. DOT. As recommended by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the National Research Council (NRC), RITA and its partners are seeking public stakeholder input on research strategies and metrics necessary to achieve U.S. DOT strategic transportation goals and to drive transportation policy in both the short and long terms.

The U.S. DOT’s research, development, and technology (RD&T) efforts and outcomes play critical roles in attaining the vision of a safe, truly multimodal transportation system that provides the traveling public and U.S. businesses with safe, convenient, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation choices. A previous DOT Research, Development, and Technology Strategic Plan was published in 2006 and served as a compendium of modal research pursuits at that time. The Department is now pursuing a more cross-modal, collaborative and strategic planning process to cover the years 2010-2015 and to address the proposed Departmental key priorities as outlined in the Background section.

Source: Federal Register: January 8, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 5)

Comments Due By: February 8, 2010

More Information: The Federal Register notice is at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/E9-30944.htm

Contact: M.J. Fiocco, Office of Research, Development and Technology, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Telephone Number (202) 366-8018, or E-mail_ mj.fiocco@dot.gov

Prepared by: This message was distributed by Kellen Mahoney, who may be reached at e-mail: kmahoney@eetnews.com