PUBLIC LAW 105-178-JUNE 9, 1998 112 STAT. 455 cost, schedule, and performance risks associated with the development, management, and integration of intelligent transportation system software. (j) EVALUATIONS. — (1) GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS. — (A) IN GENERAL. — The Secretary shall issue guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of operational tests and deployment projects carried out under this subtitle. (B) OBJECTIVITY AND INDEPENDENCE.— The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity and independence of the evaluator so as to avoid any real or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such test or deployment project or by any other formal evaluation carried out under this subtitle. (C) FUNDING. —The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish evaluation funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or project that ensure adequate evaluation of the results of the test or project. (2) SPECIAL RULE.—Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the evaluation of any test, deployment project, or program assessment activity under this subtitle shall not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44. SEC. 6205. NATIONAL ITS PROGRAM PLAN. 23 USC 502 note. (a) IN GENERAL. — (1) UPDATES. —The Secretary shall maintain and update, as necessary, the National ITS Program Plan developed by the Department of Transportation and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. (2) SCOPE.—The National ITS Program Plan shall— (A) specify the goals, objectives, and milestones for the research and deplojmient of intelligent transportation systems in the context of major metropolitan areas, smaller metropolitan and rural areas, and commercial vehicle operations; (B) specify how specific programs and projects will achieve the goals, objectives, and milestones referred to in subparagraph (A), including consideration of the 5- and 10-year timeframes for the goals and objectives; (C) identify activities that provide for the dynamic development of standards and protocols to promote and ensure interoperability in the implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies, including actions taken to establish critical standards; and (D) establish a cooperative process with State and local governments for determining desired surface transportation system performance levels and developing plans for incorporation of specific intelligent transportation system capabilities into surface transportation systems. (b) REPORTING.— The plan described in subsection (a) shall be transmitted and updated as part of the Surface Transportation Research and Development Strategic Plan developed under section 508 of title 23, United States Code. 59-194O-98 -16:QL3Pwt1
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