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

S 3191 allows New Jersey's Transportation Research Bureau to award transportation research contracts to private universities and certain non-profit organizations, expanding beyond current law that restricted contracts to public institutions. The bureau must now determine if such contracts serve the public interest, and the bureau manager must actively build relationships with these private entities. All contracts must also include provisions addressing transportation and mobility needs for residents with disabilities, while excluding municipal planning organizations from eligibility. This change streamlines the contracting process without altering existing public bidding requirements.