Permits certain transportation research contracts to be awarded to private research institutions of higher education and other entities.

This bill allows the New Jersey Transportation Research Bureau to award research contracts to private universities and other non-profit organizations, expanding eligibility beyond just public institutions. The Transportation Research Bureau must determine if awarding contracts to private entities serves the public interest, and all contracts must follow existing state and federal public bidding regulations. The bill also requires that all research projects consider transportation needs for residents with disabilities and clarifies that "entities" includes non-profit organizations but excludes municipal planning organizations.