§ 55604. Research on short sea transportation

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

• (1) the environmental and transportation benefits to be derived from short sea transportation alternatives for other forms of transportation;
• (2) technology, vessel design, and other improvements that would reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, and lower costs of short sea transportation and increase the efficiency of intermodal transfers; and
• (3) solutions to impediments to short sea transportation projects designated under section 55601.