49 U.S.C. § 6503: Transportation research and development 5-year strategic plan

Not later than 180 days after the date of publication of the Department of Transportation Strategic Plan and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall develop a 5-year transportation research and development strategic plan to guide future Federal transportation research and development activities. section 306 of title 5 ; sections 1115 and 1116 of title 31; and any other research and development plan within the Department of Transportation. improving mobility of people and goods; reducing congestion; promoting safety; improving the durability and extending the life of transportation infrastructure; preserving the environment; preserving the existing transportation system; and reducing transportation cybersecurity risks; fundamental research pertaining to the applied physical and natural sciences; applied science and research; technology development research; and social science research; and identify the anticipated annual funding levels for the period covered by the strategic plan; and describe the research findings the Department expects to discover at the end of the period covered by the strategic plan. reflects input from a wide range of external stakeholders; includes and integrates the research and development programs of all of the modal administrations of the Department of Transportation, including aviation, transit, rail, and maritime and joint programs; takes into account research and development by other Federal, State, local, private sector, and nonprofit institutions; not later than December 31, 2021 , and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, is published on a public website; and contributes to the achievement of the purposes identified under subsection (c)(1); and avoids unnecessary duplication of those efforts.