[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 23, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 23CFR420.203]

[Page 89-90]
 
                           TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS
 
 CHAPTER I--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 420--PLANNING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION--Table of Contents
 
    Subpart B--Research, Development and Technology Transfer Program 
                               Management
 
Sec. 420.203  Definitions.

    Unless otherwise specified in this part, the definitions in 23 
U.S.C. 101(a) and Part 420, subpart A, are applicable to this subpart. 
As used in this subpart:
    Applied research means the study of phenomena relating to a specific 
known need in connection with the functional characteristics of a 
system; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to answer a 
question or solve a problem.
    Basic research means the study of phenomena whose specific 
application has not been identified; the primary purpose of this kind of 
research is to increase knowledge.
    Cooperatively funded study means an RD&T study or activity, 
administered by the FHWA, a lead State, or other agency, that is funded 
by some combination of a State's contribution of FHWA planning and 
research funds, FHWA administrative contract funds, 100 percent State 
funds, or funds from other Federal agencies.
    Development means the translation of basic or applied research 
results into prototype materials, devices, techniques, or procedures for 
the practical solution of a specific problem in transportation.
    Final report means a report documenting a completed RD&T study or 
activity.
    Intermodal RD&T means research, development, and technology transfer 
activities involving more than one mode of transportation including 
transfer facilities between modes.
    National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) means the 
cooperative RD&T program directed toward solving problems of national or 
regional significance identified by States and the FHWA, and 
administered by the Transportation Research Board, National Academy of 
Sciences.
    Peer review means a review conducted by persons who are 
knowledgeable of the management and operation of RD&T programs. This may 
include but is not limited to representatives of another State, the 
FHWA, American Association of State Highway and Transportation 
Officials, Transportation Research Board (TRB), universities or the 
private sector.
    RD&T activity means a basic or applied research, development, or 
technology transfer project or study.
    Research means a systematic controlled inquiry involving analytical 
and experimental activities which primarily seek to increase the 
understanding of underlying phenomena. Research can be basic or applied.
    Technology transfer means those activities that lead to the adoption 
of a new technique or product by users and involves dissemination, 
demonstration, training, and other activities that lead to eventual 
innovation.
    Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) means the TRB-
maintained computerized storage and retrieval system for abstracts of 
ongoing

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and completed RD&T activities, including abstracts of RD&T reports and 
articles.