§ 31108. Motor carrier research and technology program
(a)
Research, Technology, and Technology Transfer Activities.—
(1)
Establishment.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall establish and carry out a motor carrier and motor coach research and technology program.
(2)
Multiyear plan.—
The program must include a multi-year research plan that focuses on nonredundant innovative research and shall be coordinated with other research programs or projects ongoing or planned within the Department of Transportation, as appropriate.
(3)
Research, development, and technology transfer activities.—
The Secretary may carry out under the program research, development, technology, and technology transfer activities with respect to—
(B)
means of reducing the number and severity of accidents, injuries, and fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles;
(C)
improving the safety and efficiency of commercial motor vehicles through technological innovation and improvement;
(4)
Tests and development.—
The Secretary may test, develop, or assist in testing and developing any material, invention, patented article, or process related to the research and technology program.
(5)
Training.—
The Secretary may use the funds made available to carry out this section for training or education of commercial motor vehicle safety personnel, including training in accident reconstruction and detection of controlled substances or other contraband and stolen cargo or vehicles.
(b)
Collaborative Research and Development.—
(1)
In general.—
To advance innovative solutions to problems involving commercial motor vehicle and motor carrier safety, security, and efficiency, and to stimulate the deployment of emerging technology, the Secretary may carry out, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative research and development with—
(2)
Cooperative agreements.—
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development agreements (as defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)).
(3)
Cost sharing.—
(A)
Federal share.—
The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out under a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent; except that, if there is substantial public interest or benefit associated with any such activity, the Secretary may approve a greater Federal share.
(4)
Use of technology.—
The research, development, or use of a technology under a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under this subsection, including the terms under which the technology may be licensed and the resulting royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).