Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Section 13005 ("Emerging Technology Research Pilot Program")

Summary

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish an emerging technology research pilot program that will:

Authorizes research and development activities related to using advanced and additive manufacturing technologies to support the integrity and cost-effectiveness of surface transportation infrastructure

Authorizes research and development activities and pavement testing to reduce the impact of automated driving and advanced driver-assistance systems on pavement and infrastructure, and improve the design of transportation infrastructure to accommodate increasing numbers of automated and advanced driving systems

Authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry this out for fiscal years 2022 to 2026

Establishes a pilot program for emerging technology research in transportation infrastructure, authorizing $5 million annually.

SEC. 13005. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to conduct emerging technology research in accordance with this section.

(b) Activities.--The pilot program under this section shall include-- (1) research and development activities relating to leveraging advanced and additive manufacturing technologies to increase the structural integrity and cost-effectiveness of surface transportation infrastructure; and (2) research and development activities (including laboratory and test track supported accelerated pavement testing research regarding the impacts of connected, autonomous, and platooned vehicles on pavement and infrastructure performance)-- (A) to reduce the impact of automated and connected driving systems and advanced driver-assistance systems on pavement and infrastructure performance; and (B) to improve transportation infrastructure design in anticipation of increased usage of automated driving systems and advanced driver-assistance systems.

(c) Treatment.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall carry out activities under the pilot program under this section as if-- (1) those activities were authorized under chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code; and (2) the funds made available to carry out the pilot program were made available under that chapter.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended.