RITA One Pager
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is an operating administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Created by Congress in 2005, RITA is structured to bring together important research, technology and data collection assets within DOT, including the:
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics
- Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
- Office of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
- Office of Research, Development and Technology
- Transportation Safety Institute
- Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Mission
RITA coordinates the Department's multi-modal research and education programs, advances the deployment of cross-modal technologies into the transportation system, provides comprehensive transportation statistics research and analysis, and supports education and training in transportation and transportation-related fields. RITA's mission is to ensure that DOT's research investments produce results for the American people.
Multi-modal Reseach
RITA is uniquely positioned to help researchers communicate across modes to share research and best practices in support of our nation's transportation goals. The Obama Administration is committed to making policy and investment decisions based on sound science and rigorous analysis, a philosophy strongly embraced by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. He has championed cross-disciplinary multi-modal research and analysis as the foundation for transportation policy-making, and RITA is working closely with our partners within the DOT operating administrations to advance his key priorities: safety, livable communities, environmental sustainability, state of good repair, and economic competitiveness.
DOT Safety Council
RITA has a critical role in guiding the direction and priorities of the Safety Council, which was created by Secretary Ray LaHood in 2009. The Council is chaired by Deputy Secretary John Porcari and brings together Administrators from all ten modal administrations to identify and address cross-cutting, multi-modal safety research and across the agencies. The goals of the Safety Council are to further enhance the safety focus throughout all agencies of the DOT and improve the impact of its safety programs.
Workforce Development
Our nation's transportation system depends at its core on a highly skilled and qualified workforce, both now and in the future. RITA is leading Departmental efforts to strengthen our nation's foundation of transportation expertise through critical efforts like the University Transportation Centers program and White House workforce programs that seek to encourage women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.
Technology & Innovation
RITA is engaged in pioneering research and development into advanced technologies and innovative solutions that will address the challenges facing America's transportation system and infrastructure. Initiatives like Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) seek to transform travel within our communities through cutting edge technologies and innovative approaches, including vehicle-to-vehicle collision warning systems, GPS, and interconnected transportation networks.
Knowledge
RITA provides tools for transportation research, information, data and statistics on past, current and emerging research areas, including:
- The National Transportation Library (ntl.bts.gov)which offers extensive digital and print catalogs for transportation publications and resources. NTL is managed by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
- The virtual Climate Change Center(www.climate.dot.gov), an online, interactive knowledge base on transportation and climate change issues.
Key Officials
Office of the Administrator
Peter H. Appel, Administrator
Dr. Robert L. Bertini, Deputy Administrator
Office of Research, Development and Technology
Dr. Jan Brecht-Clark, Associate Administrator
University Transportation Centers Program
Dr. Curtis Tompkins, Director
Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
Dr. Robert L. Bertini, Director (Acting)
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Robert C. Johns, Director
Office of Positioning, Navigation and Timing
Karen Van Dyke, Director (Acting)
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Dr. Steven K. Smith, Director (Acting)
National Transportation Library
Amanda Wilson, Assistant Director
Transportation Safety Institute
Dr. Steven D. Dillingham, Director