RITA was created under the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Program Improvement Act, and opened its doors on February 22, 2005.
RITA's formation was part of a Department-wide reorganization to create one agency solely focused on promoting transportation research.
In a report titled Research Activities of the Department of Transportation: A Report to Congress, then-Transportation Secretary Mineta promoted his vision for RITA as “A DOT administration that combines research-driven innovation and entrepreneurship to ensure a safe and robust transportation network.” The new agency was formed from several existing parts of USDOT: RITA is led by two presidential appointees.
[3] This program develops and validates remote sensing technologies for application to transportation infrastructure in the three major areas listed below.
BTS also conducts the Commodity Flow Survey, the only nationwide intermodal freight data source.
BTS’ data is the key indicator of the effectiveness of the federal rule implementing a three-hour time limit on planes sitting on the tarmac.
In November, BTS issues an annual press release on the update of the North American Transportation Statistics Database, a project conducted jointly with Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Increasingly, the Federal investments are directed at targets of opportunity – major initiatives – that have the potential for significant payoff in improving safety, mobility and productivity.
The Office of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing represents all Federal civil departments and agencies in the development, acquisition, management, and operations of GPS, as well as providing civil PNT system analysis including requirements and architecture development and performance monitoring.
The Volpe Center is funded through a fee-for-service structure, which means all costs are covered by sponsored project work.
From the beginning, the Center was envisioned as a place where a broad range of skills could be focused on major issues that cut across the traditional modal structure of the transportation enterprise.
TSI funding comes through a fee-for-service structure, which means all costs are covered by sponsored project work.
Before taking office, LaHood noticed that the department's agencies were pursuing many important safety initiatives without a formal process for sharing data, best practices, and strategies.
Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari chairs the Council, which comprises the heads of the Department's 10 agencies.
The Council will be action-oriented and data-driven, emphasizing open dialogue about common issues and providing a forum for fresh ideas and different perspectives.