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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Research & Innovation

Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312)

FTA supports and improves public transportation through research, development, demonstration, deployment projects, and evaluation of research and technology.

Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314)

FTA provides technical assistance, standards development, training, human resources, and workforce development for public transportation.

Bus Testing Facility (49 U.S.C. § 5318)

FTA is responsible for operating and maintaining a facility for testing new transit bus models.

What’s New

  • FTA posted Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Bus Testing (49 CFR Part 665), published on June 26, 2026, to streamline the bus testing process, improve report value for consumers, and remove outdated test reports. Please provide comments by August 25, 2026. 
  • On February 5, 2026, FTA published the Annual Report on Technical Assistance and Workforce Development for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The report provides information on technical assistance, standards development, training, human resources, and workforce development projects active in FY 2025.
  • On January 15, 2026, FTA published the Annual Research Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. It includes information on FY 2025 active programs and projects on Research, Innovative Development, Demonstration and Deployment, and Evaluation and Implementation.

Overview

FTA manages a portfolio of research and demonstration projects to address the opportunities and challenges facing the transit industry and ensure America’s public transit systems are safe, reliable, and efficient.

FTA manages the development of innovative technologies, fosters partnerships, and leverages data for ongoing improvements to public transportation in rural and urban communities.

Statutory Programs

FTA deploys, implements, and manages projects under three statutory programs.

Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312)

FTA is responsible for projects to support and improve public transportation through research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects, and evaluation of research and technology. Per statute, these projects are intended to develop and deploy new and innovative ideas, practices, and approaches to promote public transportation.

Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314)

FTA provides technical assistance, standards development, training, human resources, and workforce development for public transportation. These projects provide practical resources to advance public transportation.

Bus Testing Facility (49 U.S.C. § 5318)

FTA is responsible for operating and maintaining a facility for testing new transit bus models for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance, structural integrity, fuel economy, propulsions, and noise.