---
kind: "section"
citation: "23 U.S.C. § 515"
title: "23"
title_heading: "Highways"
number: "515"
heading: "General authorities and requirements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/23/515"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Research, Technology, and Education"
---

# §515. General authorities and requirements

- (a) **Scope.—** Subject to the provisions of sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through [518](/usc/23/518.md), the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall conduct an ongoing [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) program—
  - (1) to research, develop, and operationally test [intelligent transportation systems](/usc/23/501.md?p=5); and
  - (2) to provide technical assistance in the nationwide application of those systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.
- (b) **Policy.—** [Intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) research [projects](/usc/23/501.md?p=7) and operational tests funded pursuant to sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through [518](/usc/23/518.md) shall encourage and not displace public-private partnerships or private sector investment in those tests and [projects](/usc/23/501.md?p=7).
- (c) **Cooperation With Governmental, Private, and Educational Entities.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall carry out the [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) program in cooperation with [State](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28) and local governments and other public entities, the private sector firms of the United States, the [Federal laboratories](/usc/23/501.md?p=1), and institutions of higher education, including historically Black colleges and universities and other minority institutions of higher education.
- (d) **Consultation With Federal Officials.—** In carrying out the [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) program, the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall consult with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate.
- (e) **Technical Assistance, Training, and Information.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) may provide technical assistance, training, and information to [State](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28) and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain, or evaluate [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) technologies and services.
- (f) **Transportation Planning.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) may provide funding to support adequate consideration of [transportation systems management and operations](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-32-A), including [intelligent transportation systems](/usc/23/501.md?p=5), within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes.
- (g) **Information Clearinghouse.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall—
    - (A) maintain a repository for technical and [safety](/usc/23/501.md?p=8) data collected as a result of federally sponsored [projects](/usc/23/501.md?p=7) carried out under sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through [518](/usc/23/518.md); and
    - (B) make, on request, that information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.
  - (2) **Agreement.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) may enter into an agreement with a third party for the [maintenance](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-13) of the repository for technical and [safety](/usc/23/501.md?p=8) data under [paragraph (1)(A)](#g-1-A).
    - (B) **Federal financial assistance.—** If the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) enters into an agreement with an entity for the [maintenance](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-13) of the repository, the entity shall be eligible for Federal financial assistance under this section.
  - (3) **Availability of information.—** Information in the repository shall not be subject to sections [552](/usc/5/552.md) and [555](/usc/5/555.md) of title 5, United States Code.
- (h) **Advisory Committee.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall establish an Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the “Advisory Committee”) to advise the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) on carrying out sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through 518.
  - (2) **Membership.—** The Advisory Committee shall have no more than 25 members, be balanced between metropolitan and rural interests, and include, at a minimum—
    - (A) a representative from a [State](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28) [highway](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-11) department;
    - (B) a representative from a local [highway](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-11) department who is not from a metropolitan planning organization;
    - (C) a representative from a [State](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28), local, or regional transit agency;
    - (D) a representative from a [State](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28), local, or regional wildlife, land use, or resource management agency;
    - (E) a representative from a metropolitan planning organization;
    - (F) a representative of a national transit association;
    - (G) a representative of a national, [State](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28), or local transportation agency or association;
    - (H) a private sector user of [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) technologies;
    - (I) a private sector developer of [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) technologies, which may include emerging vehicle technologies;
    - (J) an academic researcher with expertise in computer science or another information science field related to [intelligent transportation systems](/usc/23/501.md?p=5), and who is not an expert on transportation issues;
    - (K) an academic researcher who is a civil engineer;
    - (L) an academic researcher who is a social scientist with expertise in transportation issues;
    - (M) an academic researcher who is a biological or ecological scientist with expertise in transportation issues;
    - (N) a representative from a nonprofit group representing the [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) industry;
    - (O) a representative from a public interest group concerned with [safety](/usc/23/501.md?p=8);
    - (P) a representative of a labor organization;
    - (Q) a representative of a mobility-providing entity;
    - (R) an expert in traffic management;
    - (S) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the transportation system on land use and residential patterns;
    - (T) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the transportation system on terrestrial and aquatic species and the habitat of those species; and
    - (U) members with expertise in planning, [safety](/usc/23/501.md?p=8), telecommunications, and operations;
    - (V) an expert in cybersecurity; and
    - (W) an automobile manufacturer.
  - (3) **Term.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The term of a member of the Advisory Committee shall be 3 years.
    - (B) **Renewal.—** On expiration of the term of a member of the Advisory Committee, the member—
      - (i) may be reappointed; or
      - (ii) if the member is not reappointed under [clause (i)](#h-3-B-i), may serve until a new member is appointed.
  - (4) **Meetings.—** The Advisory Committee—
    - (A) shall convene not less frequently than twice each year; and
    - (B) may convene with the use of remote video conference technology.
  - (5) **Duties.—** The Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum, perform the following duties:
    - (A) Provide input into the development of the [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) aspects of the strategic plan under [section 6503 of title 49](/usc/49/6503.md).
    - (B) Review, at least annually, areas of [intelligent transportation systems](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) programs and research being considered for funding by the Department, to determine—
      - (i) whether these activities are likely to advance either the [state](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28)-of-the-practice or [state](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-28)-of-the-art in [intelligent transportation systems](/usc/23/501.md?p=5);
      - (ii) whether the [intelligent transportation system](/usc/23/501.md?p=5) technologies are likely to be deployed by users, and if not, to determine the barriers to deployment; and
      - (iii) the appropriate roles for government and the private sector in investing in the programs, research, and technologies being considered.
  - (6) **Report.—** Not later than May 1 of each year, the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall make available to the public on a Department of Transportation website a report that includes—
    - (A) all recommendations made by the Advisory Committee during the preceding calendar year;
    - (B) an explanation of the manner in which the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) has implemented those recommendations; and
    - (C) for recommendations not implemented, the reasons for rejecting the recommendations.
  - (7) **Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—** The Advisory Committee shall be subject to [chapter 10](/usc/5/chptI/ch10.md) of title 5, United States Code.
- (i) **Reporting.—**
  - (1) **Guidelines and requirements.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) shall issue guidelines and requirements for the reporting and evaluation of operational tests and deployment [projects](/usc/23/501.md?p=7) carried out under sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through 518.
    - (B) **Objectivity and independence.—** The guidelines and requirements issued under [subparagraph (A)](#i-1-A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity and independence of the reporting entity so as to avoid any real or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such test or deployment [project](/usc/23/501.md?p=7) or by any other formal evaluation carried out under sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through 518.
    - (C) **Funding.—** The guidelines and requirements issued under [subparagraph (A)](#i-1-A) shall establish reporting funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or [project](/usc/23/501.md?p=7) that ensure adequate reporting of the results of the test or [project](/usc/23/501.md?p=7).
  - (2) **Special rule.—** Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) considers necessary to carry out the reporting of any test, deployment [project](/usc/23/501.md?p=7), or program assessment activity under sections [512](/usc/23/512.md) through [518](/usc/23/518.md) shall not be subject to [chapter 35](/usc/44/chch35.md) of title 44, United States Code.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title III, § 53003(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 899; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, § 1446(a)(14), title VI, § 6007, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1438, 1567; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, § 13008(a), div. B, title V, § 25001, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 641, 836; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(178), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4325.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (h)(7). Pub. L. 117–286, which directed amendment of subsec. (h)(5) by substituting “chapter 10 of title 5, united states code” for “federal advisory committee act” in heading and “chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.” for “the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).” in text, was executed by making the substitutions in subsec. (h)(7) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the prior amendment by Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(4). See 2021 Amendment note, below.

2021—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(1), inserted “(referred to in this subsection as the ‘Advisory Committee’)” after “an Advisory Committee”.

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(A), substituted “25 members” for “20 members” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h)(2)(D) to (W). Pub. L. 117–58, § 13008(a) and § 25001(2)(D)–(G), added various subpars. and successively redesignated existing subpars., resulting in ultimate redesignations of original subpars. as follows: (D) as (E), (E) as (H), (F) as (J), (G) as (K), (H) as (L), (I) as (N), (J) as (O), (K) as (S), and (L) as (U). For newly added subpars., see notes below.

Subsec. (h)(2)(D). Pub. L. 117–58, § 13008(a)(3), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (h)(2)(F), (G). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(D), added subpars. (F) and (G).

Subsec. (h)(2)(I). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(E), added subpar. (I).

Subsec. (h)(2)(J). Pub. L. 117–58, § 13008(a)(4), added subpar. (J), which was subsequently redesignated (M) by Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(C).

Subsec. (h)(2)(N). Pub. L. 117–58, § 13008(a)(5), added subpar. (N), which was subsequently redesignated (T) by Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(C).

Subsec. (h)(2)(O). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(B), prior to redesignation of subpar. (O) as (U), struck out “utilities,” after “telecommunications,” and substituted semicolon for period at end.

Subsec. (h)(2)(P) to (R). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(F), added subpars. (P) to (R).

Subsec. (h)(2)(V), (W). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(2)(G), added subpars. (V) and (W).

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(5), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (h)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(3)(A), substituted “section 6503 of title 49” for “section 508”.

Subsec. (h)(3)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(3)(B)(i), inserted “programs and” before “research” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(3)(B)(ii), substituted “programs, research, and” for “research and”.

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(5), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (h)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 117–58, § 25001(4), redesignated pars. (3) to (5) as (5) to (7), respectively.

2015—Pub. L. 114–94, § 1446(a)(14), substituted “sections 512 through 518” for “this chapter” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 114–94, § 6007, in introductory provisions, substituted “May 1 of each year” for “February 1 of each year after the date of enactment of the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012” and “make available to the public on a Department of Transportation website” for “submit to Congress”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by section 13008(a) of Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.