23 U.S.C. § 513 — Use of funds for ITS activities

(a) Definitions. The following definitions apply: (1) “Eligible entity” means a State^* or local government, tribal government, transit agency, public toll authority, metropolitan planning organization, other political subdivision of a State or local government, or a multistate or multijurisdictional group applying through a single lead applicant. This section does not otherwise define “lead applicant.” (2) “Multijurisdictional group” means a combination of State governments, local governments, metropolitan planning agencies, transit agencies, or other political subdivisions of a State that: (A) have signed a written agreement to carry out an activity that meets this section’s grant criteria; and (B) has at least two members, each of which is an eligible entity. (b) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to develop, administer, communicate, and promote the use of products of research, technology, and technology-transfer programs. (c) ITS^* adoption. (1) Innovative technologies and strategies. The Secretary^* must encourage deployment of intelligent transportation system^* technologies that improve the performance of the National Highway System^* in areas such as traffic operations, emergency response, incident^* management, management of the surface transportation network, freight management, traffic-flow information, and congestion management. The Secretary must do this by speeding up adoption of innovative technologies through: (A) demonstration programs; (B) grant funding; (C) incentives for eligible entities; and (D) other tools, strategies, or methods that will result in deploying innovative intelligent transportation system technologies. (2) Comprehensive plan. To carry out this section, the Secretary must develop a detailed and comprehensive plan addressing how incentives may be adopted, as appropriate, through the existing deployment activities carried out by surface transportation modal administrations.