Adoption of TRB Special Report
Recommendations by Congress and
Federal Agencies
Illustrative Examples, 1984-2007
Transportation Research Board
of the National Academies
Key to Citations
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P.L. = Public Law
H.R. = Legislation that passed House
of Representatives
S. = Legislation that passed Senate
CR = Congressional Record
FR = Federal Register
Special Report 286 (2006)
Congress adopted
report recommendations
for a national tire fuel
efficiency rating system and
consumer information about
passenger car tire fuel
efficiency.
P.L. 101-140, Sec. 111.
Special Report 283
(2005)
Recommended
cooperative research
program supported
and $5 million in
funding authorized by
Congress in 2005.
P.L. 109-59, Title VII, Sec. 7131.
Special Report 281
(2004)
USDOT adopted
recommendation
to develop risk-based
guidance to assist local
governments regulating
land uses adjacent to
transmission pipelines.
Report to Congress on Encroachment
and OPS Implementation Plan. USDOT. 2004.
Special Report 279
(2004)
Recommendations that USDOT
measure, monitor, and report on
system performance to Congress
endorsed by USDOT Maritime
Administrator, 1/12/04.
Congress appropriated funds to
begin analysis in FY 2005.
Special Report 278
(2004)
Recommendations regarding
seat belt reminder systems and
revision of law limiting use of
seat belt interlock systems
endorsed by the Senate in 2004.
S. 1072, Sec. 4159.
Special Report 275
(2003)
Recommendations for
increased funding
for worker education and
retraining and funding for agency
partnering with colleges
and universities to
develop curricula adopted
by Congress in 2005.
P.L. 109-59, Title V,
Sec. 5204 (e) and (f).
Special Report 272
(2003)
Recommended research
program adopted by
Congress in 2003
P.L. 108-176,
Title VII, Sec. 712.
Congress appropriated
funds beginning in FY 2005.
Special Report 264
(2002)
Recommended retention of
CMAQ program and increased
emphasis on project
evaluation adopted by
Congress in 2005.
P.L. 109-59, Title I, Sec. 1808 (h).
Special Report 268
(2002)
Congress authorized
recommended planning
and environmental
research program
at $17 million annually
in 2005.
P.L. 109-59, Title V, Sec. 5207.
Special Report 265
(2002)
NHTSA’s rollover ratings
since 2004 based on the
recommended revised risk
model. 68 FR 198; 59,
250-259, 304 (10/14/03).
NHTSA also conducted
recommended research on
informing consumers
about detailed ratings.
Special Report 261
(2001)
Recommendations for broader
stakeholder involvement in,
and merit and peer review
of, FHWA research programs
and increased investment in
advanced research
adopted by Congress in 2005.
P.L. 109-59, Title V,
Sec 5201 (a) and (g).
Special Report 260
(2001)
Congress authorized
recommended research
program for $50
million annually in
2005.
P.L. 109-59, Title V, Sec. 5210.
Special Report 259
(2001)
Congress directed the USCG
to establish and publish
the recommended environmental
equivalency index in 2004.
This index allows for comparison
of single and double hull designs
in containing oil outflow in the
event of a collision or grounding.
P.L. 108-293, Sec. 705.
70 FR 14777, 7/20/05.
Special Report 255
(1999)
Based on the conclusions and
recommendations in this report, the
USDOT dropped its plans to issue regulations
dealing with predatory pricing.
The USDOT Office of the Secretary cited the
conclusions extensively in inviting public comment
on revisions to regulations governing computer
reservation systems to ensure protection of
consumer interests. 67 FR 221 69366-69428 (11/15/02).
Special Report 242
(1994)
Congress adopted
recommendation to extend
term of congestion pricing
pilot program.
P.L. 105-78, Sec. 1216(a).
FHWA adopted recommendation
that single occupant vehicles be eligible to pay tolls
to access HOV lanes.
63 FR 53487 (10/5/98); 66 FR 23077 (5/7/01).
Special Report 239
(1993)
USDOT endorsed findings of
SR 239 in its report to Congress
(USDOT 1994).
RSPA held two workshops
in 2002 regarding whether hazmat placards are
a security risk; its report again endorsed
conclusions of SR 239 (USDOT 2003).
Special Report 234
(1992)
Recommendation to
create a statistical bureau
in USDOT adopted
by Congress in the
creation of the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics. P.L. 102-240, Sec. 6000.
Special Report 222
(1989)
NHTSA adopted regulations
based upon findings and
recommendations
regarding efficacy of seat
belts on school buses and
other measures to improve
safety. 54 FR 296229 (2/89); 56 FR 1164
(3/91); 56 FR 53614 (10/91); 57 FR 17012 (4/92).
Special Report 219
(1988)
Accountable Pipeline Safety
and Partnership Act of
1996 directed USDOT to
evaluate recommendations
of SR 219 and report to Congress on
implementation. P.L. 104—304, Sec.
60127.
Special Report 216
(1987)
FHWA adopted recommended
lower BAC for commercial drivers,
along with recommended sanctions
for violation. 53 FR 39044 (10/88).
 USDOT cited SR 216 in setting alcohol testing policies
for transportation workers regulated by USDOT agencies
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59 FR 7302 (2/94).
DOE relied on report findings in its random drug
testing regulations for personnel in sensitive positions
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69 FR 15, 3213-32315 (1/04); 67 FR 137, 46912-46913 (7/02).
Special Report 213
(1987)
Congress authorized
the recommended
transit cooperative
research program.
P.L. 102, Title I, Part A.
Funding appropriated annually
since FY 1991.
Special Report 204
(1984)
Estimated costs and benefits cited
extensively by Members of Congress
in debates over maximum speed
limit law and over raising
maximum on rural interstates.

132 CR H. 5557 (7/86); 132 CR S.
13284 (7/86); 133 CR S. 1452 (2/87);
133 CR S. 1530 (2/87); 133 CR H. 1420 (3/87).
Congress amended criteria for assessing state
compliance as recommended. P.L. 100-17, Title II.
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Special Report 202
(1984)
Congress authorized the
recommended 5-yr,
$150 million strategic
highway research
program. P.L. 100-17,
Title I.