Research and outreach efforts

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Highway worker The term highway worker has the meaning given the term in section 630.1004 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (b) Research and outreach The Secretary shall carry out research and outreach activities to improve the safety of highway workers, including activities addressing roadside incidents and methods to protect highway workers through behavior-based interventions, education, engineering solutions, and technology. (c) Use of existing research and outreach facilities In carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) build on existing roadside worker safety research and outreach programs, including studies carried out by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and (2) use existing research and outreach facilities available to the Secretary, including— (A) the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center; (B) university transportation centers established pursuant to section 5505 of title 49, United States Code; and (C) the Office of Operations of the Federal Highway Administration and its related work zone safety programs. (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to remain available until expended.