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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 507. Surface transportation-environment cooperative research program
(a) In General. - The Secretary shall establish and carry out a
surface transportation-environment cooperative research program.
(b) Contents. - The program to be carried out under this section
shall include research designed -
(1) to develop more accurate models for evaluating
transportation control measures and transportation system designs
that are appropriate for use by State and local governments,
including metropolitan planning organizations, in designing
implementation plans to meet Federal, State, and local
environmental requirements;
(2) to improve understanding of the factors that contribute to
the demand for transportation, including transportation system
design, demographic change, land use planning, and communications
and other information technologies;
(3) to develop indicators of economic, social, and
environmental performance of transportation systems to facilitate
analysis of potential alternatives;
(4) to study the relationship between highway density and
ecosystem integrity, including the impacts of highway density on
habitat integrity and overall ecosystem health, and develop a
rapid assessment methodology for use by transportation and
regulatory agencies in determining the relationship between
highway density and ecosystem integrity; and
(5) to meet additional priorities as determined by the advisory
board established under subsection (c), including recommendations
of the National Research Council in the report entitled
"Environmental Research Needs in Transportation".
(c) Advisory Board. -
(1) Establishment. - In consultation with the Secretary of
Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
and the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and
agencies, the Secretary shall establish an advisory board to
recommend environmental and energy conservation research,
technology, and technology transfer activities related to surface
transportation.
(2) Membership. - The advisory board shall include -
(A) representatives of State transportation and environmental
agencies;
(B) transportation and environmental scientists and
engineers; and
(C) representatives of metropolitan planning organizations,
transit operating agencies, and environmental organizations.
(d) National Academy of Sciences. - The Secretary may make grants
to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the National
Academy of Sciences to carry out such activities relating to the
research, technology, and technology transfer activities described
in subsection (b) as the Secretary determines appropriate.
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