Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R)
Administers the programs of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) and advises and assists the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and the Under Secretary for Policy in matters pertinent to OST-R and its functions.
The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center: Applies a unique combination of multidisciplinary, multimodal technical knowledge and expertise to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness of the nation’s transportation system by anticipating emerging issues and advancing technical, operational, and institutional innovations in support of the Secretary, DOT's Operating Administrations and other federal, state, international and private sector partners.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS): A designated principal Federal Statistical Agency, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) informs public and private decision-making through the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of objective, comprehensive statistics on the extent and use of the transportation system, the performance of the system, and the effects of the system on society, the economy, and the environment.
National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (NCO): Pursuant to the U.S. Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Policy (SPD-7), the NCO serves as the Secretariat for the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee (EXCOM), co-chaired by the Deputy Secretaries of the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation. The NCO Director shall be a member of the Senior Executive Service chosen by and reporting to the Co-Chairs. The NCO shall provide the staff functions for the EXCOM, perform those functions designated in EXCOM Charter Annex A, and those functions delegated by the EXCOM, to support goals and objectives listed in SPD-7. The EXCOM reports to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, as appropriate.
Office of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and Spectrum: Coordinates the development of departmental positions on PNT and spectrum policy and the protection of PNT systems from harmful radio frequency interference and operational degradation in conjunction with the Under Secretary for Policy the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, and the Operating Administrations.
Transportation Safety Institute (TSI): Provides premier worldwide transportation training, products, and/or services for both the public and private sectors through innovative, state-of-the-art methods and technologies that contribute to the protection of life, property, and the environment.
Office of Technology Policy and Outreach: Promotes public and Government understanding of and support for OST-R programs, activities, policies, and strategies; and coordinates these with Congress, DOT operating administrations (OAs), Federal, State, and local agencies, tribal governments, external stakeholders, and foreign governments.
Office of Research, Development, and Technology: Fosters innovation in transportation; contributes to the U.S. transportation research, development, and technology agenda, consistent with departmental strategic goals, and advocates for a fully integrated, technologically advanced multimodal transportation system; and communicates such to domestic and international partners.
Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence: Section 105 of Division H, Title I (FY2020 Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 116-94) requires that the Secretary of Transportation establish a Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE) within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), "in order to have a Department of Transportation workforce capable of reviewing, assessing, and validating the safety of automated technologies."