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Transportation Outlines Research, Development & Technology Priorities
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released Research Activities of the Department of Transportation: A Report to Congress, identifying DOT’s current and projected research, development and technology priorities.
A newly formed DOT agency as of November 2004, RITA will lead cross-departmental efforts to identify and implement research priorities, and ensure that those investments are effective and align with DOT’s objectives. In addition, RITA will manage the University Transportation Centers program, which invests in university-based centers of excellence to advance innovation, research, education, and technology transfer.
According to the report, there are five DOT objectives that guide the agency's research priorities: safety, mobility, global connectivity, environmental stewardship, and security. Most DOT priorities address more than one objective and are supported by several departmental programs. In a speech to the American Society for Engineering Educators Panel, RITA Administrator Samuel Bonasso summarized some of the agency's top concerns:
- Technologies to identify and understand physical and cyber vulnerabilities;
- Developing lessons learned from previous disasters and terrorist attacks to help prevent or lessen the impact of future incidents;
- Preparedness planning to ensure that response, management, and support teams are knowledgeable, trained, equipped, and ready for the unique challenges presented by a disaster or attack;
- Detection and Sensor Systems to detect intrusions, chemical and biological agents, weapons of mass destruction, and communication networks;
- Entry portals for identification, access control, tracking and facility design; and,
- Human and social issues including first responders and public perception to accidents.
DOT has requested $1.1 billion for FY 2006 to fund the department’s research, development and technology programs. A complete list of DOT’s priorities, programs and budget can be found on the RITA website at: http://www.rita.dot.gov/publications/research_activities_of_the_department_of_transportation_a_report_to_congress