49 USC § 5118 - Hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t49/s5118"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "49 USC § 5118 - Hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program"
title_number: 49
title_name: "TRANSPORTATION"
section_number: "5118"
section_name: "Hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program"
chapter_number: 51
chapter_name: "TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title III, § 33007(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 835; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, § 6014, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1570.)"
---


# § 5118. Hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program

**(a)** **Risk Reduction.—**

**(1)** **Program authorized.—** The Secretary of Transportation may develop and implement a hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program for the purpose of—

**(A)** reducing the risks associated with the transportation of hazardous material; and

**(B)** identifying and evaluating new technologies to facilitate the safe, secure, and efficient transportation of hazardous material.

**(2)** **Coordination.—** In developing the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

**(A)** utilize information gathered from other modal administrations with similar programs;

**(B)** coordinate with other modal administrations, as appropriate; and

**(C)** coordinate, as appropriate, with other Federal agencies.

**(b)** **Cooperation.—** In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall work cooperatively with regulated and other entities, including shippers, carriers, emergency responders, State and local officials, and academic institutions.

**(c)** **Cooperative Research.—**

**(1)** **In general.—** As part of the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary may carry out cooperative research on hazardous materials transport.

**(2)** **National academies.—** The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the National Academies to support research described in paragraph (1).

**(3)** **Research.—** Research conducted under this subsection may include activities relating to—

**(A)** emergency planning and response, including information and programs that can be readily assessed and implemented in local jurisdictions;

**(B)** risk analysis and perception and data assessment;

**(C)** commodity flow data, including voluntary collaboration between shippers and first responders for secure data exchange of critical information;

**(D)** integration of safety and security;

**(E)** cargo packaging and handling;

**(F)** hazmat release consequences; and

**(G)** materials and equipment testing.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title III, § 33007(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 835; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, § 6014, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1570.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 5118, , , ; , , , related to employment of additional hazardous material safety inspectors, prior to repeal by , , .

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). , added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , see , set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees.

### Effective Date

Section effective , see , set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under , Highways.