University research institutes

§ 5316. University research institutes (a) Institute for National Surface Transportation Policy.—The Secretary of Transportation shall make grants to San Jose State University to establish and operate an institute for national surface transportation policy studies. The institute shall— (1) include male and female students of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds who are seeking careers in developing and operating surface transportation programs; and (2) conduct research and development activities to analyze ways of improving aspects of developing and operating surface transportation programs of the United States. (b) Infrastructure Technology Institute.—The Secretary shall make grants to Northwestern University to establish and operate an institute to study techniques— (1) to evaluate and monitor infrastructure conditions; 108 STAT. 815 (2) to improve information systems for infrastructure construction and management; and (3) to study advanced materials and automated processes for constructing and rehabilitating public works facilities. (c) Urban Transit Institute.—The Secretary shall make grants to North Carolina A. and T. State University through the Institute for Transportation Research and Education, the University of South Florida, and a consortium of Florida A. and M., Florida State University, and Florida International University to establish and operate an interdisciplinary institute to study and disseminate techniques on the diverse transportation problems of urban areas experiencing significant and rapid growth. (d) Institute for Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Concepts.—The Secretary shall make grants to the University of Minnesota, Center for Transportation Studies, to establish and operate a national institute for intelligent vehicle-highway concepts. The institute shall conduct research and recommend development activities that focus on methods to increase roadway capacity, enhance safety, and reduce negative environmental effects of transportation facilities by using intelligent vehicle-highway systems technologies. (e) Institute for Transportation Research and Education.— The Secretary shall make grants to the University of North Carolina to conduct research and development and to direct technology transfer and training for State and local transportation authorities to improve the overall surface transportation infrastructure. (f) Applicability of Title 23.—Amounts authorized by section 5338(d) of this title may be obligated in the same way as amounts are apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23.