Key Takeaways
- •The hearing emphasized the need for federal leadership in surface transportation research, particularly for autonomous vehicle safety and deployment, and protecting against foreign adversaries like China.
- •Diana Furchtgott-Roth (Witness) advocated for U.S.-made batteries and GPS backup systems to counter Chinese spying and ensure the resilience of American transportation infrastructure.
- •Rep. Foster (Democratic-IL-11) pressed witnesses on the lack of a federal agency to enforce cybersecurity standards for transportation technology, beyond NIST's best practices.
- •Republicans and Democrats largely agreed on federal R&D investment, but Ranking Member Lofgren (Democratic-CA-18) criticized the Trump administration's termination of University Transportation Center grants.
- •The upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill will determine future R&D investments, with calls to maintain current funding and establish a national autonomous vehicle safety framework.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
On February 11, 2026, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing titled "Accelerating Progress: U.S. Surface Transportation Research." The hearing served as a critical assessment of the nation’s research and development (R&D) priorities ahead of the upcoming reauthorization of the surface transportation bill, as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is set to expire in September 2026. Chairman Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) convened the session to explore how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles (AVs), and digital infrastructure can enhance safety and economic competitiveness while addressing vulnerabilities from geopolitical adversaries, specifically the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Key Testimony
The witness panel featured prominent experts from academia and former government officials. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), emphasized the federal government’s role in safety and protecting the Global Positioning System (GPS) from foreign interference. She advocated for the adoption of inexpensive GPS backup systems, such as those developed by Tern AI, and stressed the importance of "made in the USA" batteries to prevent Chinese espionage through vehicle components. Greg Winfree, Agency Director of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), highlighted the University Transportation Centers (UTC) program as a "force multiplier" for the DOT. He called for the program to be authorized at no less than $100 million annually and urged for a national infrastructure intelligence tool to unify fragmented state data. Dr. Henry Liu, Director of Mcity at the University of Michigan, focused on the need for a rigorous national framework for AV safety testing. He showcased the "Mcity Digital Twin," an open-source platform that allows for virtual and physical testing of AV algorithms, and discussed AI-driven traffic signal optimization currently being piloted in Oakland County, Michigan.
Organizations & Entities
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the transition from successful pilot programs to nationwide deployment. Chairman Obernolte expressed frustration with "pilot purgatory," where promising technologies fail to scale. Mr. Winfree noted that while pilots like the University of Michigan’s connected vehicle study are valuable, a lack of federal leadership often leads to a "50-state cacophony" of conflicting regulations. He argued that the DOT must provide a clear game plan for states to implement new technologies. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth added that inter-agency conflicts, such as those between the DOT and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over spectrum allocation (specifically the 900 MHz band), often create structural barriers to innovation.
Overview
Partisan dynamics were evident regarding the administration’s management of research grants. Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) and Full Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) criticized the Department of Transportation under Secretary Duffy for the "arbitrary" termination of seven UTC grants, including one at San Jose State University. Rep. Lofgren characterized this as "manufactured chaos" that undermines the stability of the research community. Conversely, Republican members focused heavily on the threat posed by China. Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA-20) discussed his "America Drives Act," which seeks to create a national framework for AV deployment to ensure the U.S. leads the global market. Rep. Stevens highlighted her "No Chinese Cars Act," aimed at preventing Chinese-made vehicles and parts from undermining the American auto industry.
Policy Proposals
The subcommittee also delved into the cybersecurity of connected infrastructure. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL-11) raised concerns about the potential for "science fiction disasters" if vehicle software or firmware were hacked by foreign actors. He questioned whether the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or another agency should have an enforcement arm to "call balls and strikes" on the security of consumer electronics and vehicle components. The witnesses agreed that "security by design" must be a research priority, rather than an afterthought, to protect the traveling public.
Several specific policy proposals and programs were discussed as priorities for the 2026 reauthorization: 1. The University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program: Witnesses and members across both parties expressed strong support for reauthorizing and potentially increasing funding for this program. 2. ARPA-I (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure): Mentioned as a vital tool for funding high-risk, high-reward technologies like new bridge construction methods and intersection safety tools. 3. National AV Evaluation Framework: Dr. Liu proposed a dedicated federal program to advance the science of AV safety testing to build public trust. 4. Digital Infrastructure: There was a consensus on the need for shared, research-accessible data and compute infrastructure to support AI applications in traffic management.
Key Testimony
The hearing concluded with a focus on the economic and workforce implications of transportation research. Witnesses noted that while automation may change the nature of jobs, it is essential for addressing labor shortages in the trucking industry and increasing overall productivity. The committee intends to use the testimony to inform the research and technology titles of the upcoming surface transportation bill. Chairman Obernolte noted that the record would remain open for ten days for additional questions, signaling that the subcommittee will continue to refine these policy areas as the September reauthorization deadline approaches. Organizations mentioned as key stakeholders included the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, and various private sector entities like Tesla, Waymo, Aurora, and Kodiak.
Transcript
[Gavel sounds.] The Subcommittee on Research and Technology will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the subcommittee at any time. I'd like to begin by recognizing myself for an opening statement for five minutes. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to today's Research and Technology Subcommittee hearing entitled, "Accelerating Progress: U.S. Surface Transportation Research." The U.S. transportation system underpins the American economy and the movement of goods across our nation. Surface transportation, including our roadways, vehicles, and supporting infrastructure, plays a central role in that success. This infrastructure is critical to American prosperity and touches the daily lives of nearly everyone in our country. It is especially important for Congress to assess the state of research and development in this area as we work to authorize key surface transportation programs. Congress's surface transportation reauthorizations fund infrastructure projects and support R&D initiatives tied to our nation's transportation systems. This subcommittee oversees that research and technology titles within each of these bills, which have helped drive meaningful transportation research at major American universities. We will hear more about this work today from Mr. Winfree and Dr. Liu. As we look ahead, it is important to consider the full scope of ongoing surface transportation research. Understanding these effects will help inform the committee's work to strengthen infrastructure and advance innovation here in America. For example, Congress must examine vulnerabilities within our transportation system. We must ensure America's transportation systems are not susceptible to interference or attack from geopolitical competitors like the Chinese Communist Party. Imagine, if you will, a scenario in which global positioning system capabilities commonly used in vehicles were disrupted and could not quickly be restored. Emergency services such as firefighting agencies could face delays reaching people in need. Beyond emergency response, a GPS disruption would ripple through freight and logistics networks that rely on real-time routing to move goods nationwide. Delivery schedules would falter, supply chains would slow, and costs would rise for businesses and consumers alike. Competitors could also target other connected systems, such as traffic management networks or vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, to cause widespread disruptions without ever physically damaging a single road or bridge. Artificial intelligence will also play a critical role in transforming our transportation system. Having served as co-chair of the bipartisan House AI Task Force last Congress, I have seen firsthand how swiftly American innovation in AI is advancing. These technologies have growing application in transportation, from congestion analysis to intelligent vehicle systems. AI-powered traffic signals can adjust their operations in real time based on actual traffic conditions, easing congestion and improving fuel efficiency. Predictive maintenance tools can analyze sensor data from bridges and roadways to identify problems before they become safety hazards. In the future, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication systems may use AI to coordinate between vehicles and traffic signals, leading to safer intersections and smoother traffic flows. The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure at the Department of Transportation was authorized by Congress in 2021 to support high-risk, high-reward next-generation transportation technologies. Digital infrastructure, which enables sensitive computing, network, and communication systems, should be a major focus of future ARPA-I investment. Autonomously driven vehicles are one rapidly growing area of innovation, and companies like Tesla and Waymo are making significant advances. Congress should continue evaluating these emerging technologies to support transportation systems that are both cutting-edge and safe. Surface transportation research and technology are vital to the strength of our economy. I'd like to thank our witnesses for being here today, and I appreciate their willingness to help the subcommittee explore these crucial areas of U.S. surface transportation research. That concludes my opening statement. I'd like to now recognize the ranking member of the subcommittee, Representative Stevens of Michigan, for five minutes for her opening statement.
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