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

This bill (S 189) amends New Jersey law to allow the state's Transportation Research Bureau to award research contracts to private colleges/universities and other eligible entities (like non-profits), not just public institutions. It requires the bureau to determine if such contracts serve the public interest and follow standard public bidding rules. The bill also mandates that all research funded under these contracts must consider transportation needs of residents with disabilities. It defines "entities" to include non-profits but excludes municipal planning organizations. The bill does not create new funding but changes how research contracts are awarded for transportation projects.