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In 1961 President Kennedy signed the first legislation authorizing the federal government to test the performance of innovative transit services, operations, management practices, institutional arrangements, and technology in real-world applications. Evaluation of these demonstration projects was crucial to drawing conclusions about technical and financial feasibility and the potential for improving public transit throughout the nation. In 1964 federal program authority was extended to research, development, and training. These activities are of even greater significance today as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) works in partnership with communities across America to create a world-class mass-transportation network for the 21st century. The goal is to safely take people from where they are to where they want to go, at a time they want to go, and at a price they can afford. To realize this goal, the agency conducts programs and projects advancing research, development, demonstration, and deployment of innovative technologies with transit applications in areas such as navigation, vehicle design, information, and communications. Through these programs and projects, the agency is promoting transit facilities and services that not only provide personal mobility but also enhance quality of life in U.S. communities. This article highlights FTA's research program areas; federal support for transit research and development; FTA research and innovation-deployment programs in partnership with other government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels and with consortia formed by transit-industry suppliers, transit operators, national laboratories, and universities; and FTA advanced-technology projects.

This article is part of a series of articles in this special issue of TR News on Benefits of Transportation Research--Part 2: The Federal Perspective.

English

p. 14-17

1997-5

TR News

Photos (1)

Demonstration projects; Development; Intergovernmental partnerships; Public private partnerships; Research; Research projects; Strategic planning; Technological innovations

U.S. Federal Transit Administration

Research and development; Research programs

Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Research

TRIS, TRB

Jul 11 1997 12:00AM

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• IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY PAVES WAY TO BETTER ROADS AND BRIDGES: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
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• RESEARCH PAYS OFF: MEMORIAL TUNNEL FIRE TEST PROGRAM
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