§ 55604. Research on marine highway transportation

The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, may conduct research on marine highway transportation, regarding—

• (1) the economic effects of marine highway transportation on the United States economy;
• (2) the effects of marine highway transportation, including with respect to the provision of additional transportation options, on rural areas;
• (3) the environmental and transportation benefits to be derived from marine highway transportation alternatives for other forms of transportation;
• (4) technology, vessel design, and other improvements that would reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, and lower costs of marine highway transportation and increase the efficiency of intermodal transfers; and
• (5) solutions to impediments to marine highway transportation projects designated under section 55601.