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HR8748119th CongressWALLET

Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

In Committee

Summary

Modernize and coordinate federal surface transportation research and statistics. This bill extends research program timelines through 2031, strengthens DOT data governance, and requires new studies and plans on reclaimed asphalt, rail safety, and headlamp effects.

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  • Removes a numerical cap on University Transportation Centers and extends program windows through 2031. It also requires a two-year implementation report to transition the Open Research pilot into a sustained open research initiative.
  • Places the Director of transportation statistics inside the Office of the Assistant Secretary and gives that office exclusive authority over statistics and data use. It creates a Transportation Statistics Coordination Council to be set up within 90 days and produce a consolidation report in 3 years.
  • Directs a reclaimed asphalt pavement strategy due within one year that will describe inventories, potential cost savings, and standards. It orders a headlamp safety study with a public report in two years and expands rail research to focus on modern infrastructure safety and hazardous materials standards.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New rail safety research goals

If enacted, the bill would add a rail research objective to study safety challenges from modern and future infrastructure and technology across passenger and freight rail. It would create a program activity to review safety standards for hazardous materials moved by freight rail. The bill would also update date references to extend program timelines to 2031 and to 2027–2031 in related provisions.

New transportation statistics coordination council

If enacted, the Secretary would establish a Transportation Statistics Coordination Council within 90 days. The Council would be chaired by the Director and include a representative from each DOT operating administration that does statistical work. The Council must review DOT's data inventory, recommend consolidation to reduce duplication, advise on standards, and deliver a detailed report within three years with an inventory and a plan to eliminate duplicative activities.

Turn pilot into open research program

If enacted, this bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to make a plan to turn the advanced transportation research pilot into a sustained open research initiative. The Secretary would have to send a report and the implementation plan to several House and Senate committees within two years after enactment. The bill would also change cited program years from 2022–2026 to 2027–2031 and remove an explicit biennial reporting phrase in the existing text.

Extend technology and innovation dates

If enacted, the bill would replace the dates "fiscal years 2022 through 2026" with "fiscal years 2027 through 2031" in three parts of the Technology and Innovation programs under title 23. That change would extend when those program rules and opportunities apply to States, local agencies, research partners, and contractors. The extension mainly affects program timing and eligibility windows.

Study on new headlamp safety

If enacted, the Secretary would seek within 180 days to hire an appropriate entity to study high-intensity LED, matrix LED, and other emerging headlamp technologies. The study would examine brightness, beam patterns, mounting height and aim, driver glare and visibility, and effects on older or visually impaired drivers and vulnerable road users. The Secretary would publish the study report and recommendations no later than two years after entering the agreement.

University transportation centers rule edits

If enacted, the bill would remove the words "not more than" from one University Transportation Centers rule and extend a fiscal-year window from 2022–2026 to 2027–2031 for certain program provisions. These edits would change program text and keep specific awards and rules available to universities and students for the extended period. The change is mainly administrative and technical.

National strategy for reclaimed asphalt use

If enacted, the Secretary would send a national strategy on reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) within one year. The strategy must inventory DOT activities on RAP, estimate cost savings from greater RAP use, describe standards and testing frameworks, and recommend ways to promote RAP through DOT programs. The Secretary must consult universities, State DOTs, local governments, planning organizations, nonprofit researchers, asphalt producers, and other federal agencies.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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