Authority: Title 33.1, Code of Virginia.

Included in the amount for ground transportation system planning and research is $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 the second year from the highway share of the Transportation Trust Fund for the planning and evaluation of options to address transportation needs. Such funds shall be used, but are not limited to, the completion of activities prior to the initiation of an individual project’s design or to benefit identification of needs throughout the state or the prioritization of those needs. For federally eligible activities, the activity or item shall be included in the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s annual update of the Six-Year Improvement program so that 1) appropriate federal funds may be allocated and reimbursed for the activities and 2) all requirements of the federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Program can be achieved. Such planning and evaluation may be conducted or managed by the Department of Transportation, Department of Rail and Public Transportation, or another qualified entity selected and/or approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.