The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Technology, Subcommittee on Transportation Research and Development (R & D), has created a National Transportation Science and Technology Strategy that builds on the earlier strategy published in 1997. Like its predecessor, the National Strategy is intended to help Congress and the Administration establish national transportation R & D priorities and coordinated research activities. The National Strategy articulates goals for transportation system safety, mobility and access, economic growth, the environment and national security. It proposes the broader involvement of state, local and tribal agencies; academic institutions; and private industry in national transportation R & D strategic planning and system assessment, private-public technology partnerships, enabling research and transportation education and training.

Through its initial planning efforts - with major involvement of the transportation and research communities - the NSTC Committee on transportation R & D has developed the first Transportation Science and technology Strategy to help Congress, the White house, and Federal agency heads to establish national transportation R & D priorities and coordinated research activities. The Strategy is based on the results of numerous outreach events, environmental scans, and an analysis of the transportation systems current and future strengths, weaknesses opportunities, and threats.