Strategic Planning for R&D
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century called on USDOT to carry out a program of strategic planning for surface transportation R&D in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. A TRB committee reviewed USDOT’s strategic plan for R&T, its performance plan, and its performance reports. The committee recommended a sharper alignment and clearer articulation between USDOT’s R&T activities and strategic goals. It also urged the department to identify the budgetary resources required to carry out the R&T activities identified in the plan. In addition, the committee encouraged USDOT to identify and articulate more clearly the appropriate federal role in research, to undertake more coordination with other public agencies that have transportation missions and also conduct research, and to seek more stakeholder involvement in the various agency R&T programs.
The 2005 surface transportation reauthorization legislation charged the Department of Transportation with developing a strategic R&D plan; it also called for a critical review of this plan by a National Academies committee. This committee found the 2006 DOT Plan to be a reasonable first effort, and gave advice that would make subsequent versions truly strategic and forward looking.
Committee for a Review of the USDOT Strategic Plan for R&D
Review of the National Transportation Science and Technology Strategy
Review of the Federal Transportation Science and Technology Strategy
Review of the Federal Transportation R&D Strategic Planning Process