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Office of Research, Development & Technology Programs and Activities

In addition to overseeing Research Coordination across the Department’s many modal administrations and programs, OST-R’s Office of Research, Development and Technology (RDT) manages the following programmatic activities:

Research Hub logUSDOT Research Hub: The USDOT Research Hub provides project-level research information for all Department-funded research. This critical information is used to foster research coordination and collaboration, promote excellence in research management, and increase RD&T transparency within the Department, with the public and external stakeholders. The Research Hub meets the FAST Act requirement for maintaining a Consolidated Research Database and is used to track compliance with the Department’s Public Access Plan. Learn more.

Anonymous data from connected vehicles will be open to the public and can be used for a myriad of new safety, mobility and environmental applications

Research Grants Management: University Transportation Centers (UTCs): RDT manages and ensures proper execution of grants allocated to university consortia selected to receive UTC grants. 

The UTC program’s mission is to advance transportation expertise and technology in the many disciplines of transportation through education, research, and technology transfer at university-based consortia (view map). The current authorization for the UTC Program is the IIJA (49 USC 6503). Learn more.

PNT and Transportation ModesPositioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and Spectrum Management Program: RDT's PNT program serves as the designated lead for Federal civil agency Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) requirements and architecture development; and ensures the protection of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other PNT- and spectrum-based safety-of-life transportation capabilities from harmful interference. Learn more.

Last updated: Thursday, August 3, 2023