Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
Introduced
Summary
Centralize transportation data and extend research programs. This bill would reorganize where transportation statistics sit, push pilot research into sustained open programs, and extend highway and intermodal technology authorizations to support longer-term innovation.
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- Researchers and universities would see extended support and program changes. It would move several technology and innovation authorizations to cover 2027–2031 and remove a numerical constraint for University Transportation Centers, and it would require a 2-year plan and report to transition the Open Research pilot into a permanent initiative.
- DOT staff and data users would face new rules for statistics. The Transportation Statistics Director would sit in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, the Department would be given exclusive authority over statistical activities, and a new Transportation Statistics Coordination Council would inventory data, reduce collection burdens, and report quarterly to Congress within 3 years.
- Road users, state and local agencies, and industry would get targeted studies and strategies. The bill would require a study on high-intensity and matrix LED headlamps with a report in 2 years, a 1-year strategy to standardize reclaimed asphalt pavement and ensure mixture quality including cost reviews, and added rail research on hazardous materials safety.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Centralize DOT transportation data
If enacted, the Secretary would place the Director of Transportation Statistics inside the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and set up a Transportation Statistics Coordination Council within 90 days. The Director would chair the council and have exclusive authority over certain DOT statistical activities. The council would review DOT data inventories, find duplicate or fragmented data, and plan to centralize collections under the Director. The Department would have to protect confidentiality, objectivity, and integrity and follow federal statistical standards, and report to Congress with an inventory and consolidation plan within three years.
Study new headlamp safety effects
If enacted, the Secretary would seek an agreement within 180 days to study high-intensity LED, matrix LED, and other new headlamp technologies and how they affect driver visibility, glare exposure, and roadway safety. The study would look at luminous intensity, beam pattern, mounting height and aim, and cognitive or physiological effects on older drivers and people with vision problems. The Secretary would get findings and any recommendations and would report to Congress and publish the report on a DOT website not later than two years after the agreement.
Extend highway tech program authorization
If enacted, the bill would change authorization dates for specific highway and intermodal technology and innovation program elements. It would replace "fiscal years 2022 through 2026" with "fiscal years 2027 through 2031" for three specified program provisions. The change keeps program authorizations in place but does not itself provide money.
Plan to boost reclaimed asphalt use
If enacted, the Secretary would have one year to deliver a strategy to encourage nationwide use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) while keeping mixture quality high. The strategy must review DOT RAP activities, estimate cost savings from increased RAP use, describe needed technical standards and testing, and recommend ways to promote RAP through DOT programs. The Secretary must consult universities, State DOTs, local governments, planners, nonprofit researchers, private asphalt producers, and other Federal agencies when preparing the plan.
Rail safety and hazardous materials research
If enacted, the bill would add new rail research focused on safety challenges from modern and future infrastructure and technology across commuter, passenger, and freight rail. It would also add a research task to review safety standards for transporting hazardous materials on freight rail. The law would update several date references in the statute to the 2027–2031 or 2031 timeframes.
Transition pilot to open research
If enacted, the Secretary would have to make an implementation plan to turn the advanced transportation research pilot into a sustained open research initiative. The Secretary would submit a report to the specified House and Senate committees with that plan and information on how it is being carried out not later than two years after enactment. The bill would also update the program authorization period to fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
University transportation grants extended
If enacted, the bill would remove the words "not more than" from a grant rule for University Transportation Centers and would extend the program authorization period from fiscal years 2022–2026 to fiscal years 2027–2031. The change could allow more or continued grant support to universities and researchers, but the bill does not set new dollar amounts.
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.
View on Congress.gov