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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it's creating two agencies to focus on research and technology, and pipeline and hazardous materials safety.

Authorized by the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act signed into law last fall, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will begin operating Feb. 20.

Housing the Office of Intermodalism and Bureau of Transportation Statistics, RITA will oversee the USDOT's objectives for transportation technology innovation and research; PHMSA will govern haz-mat transportation and pipeline safety.

RITA members will comprise staff from the Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) Office of Innovation, Research and Education, and the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center and Transportation Safety Institute. Staff from RSPA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and Office of Pipeline Safety will form PHMSA.