An office within the U.S. Department of Transportation which coordinates research programs and is charged with advancing the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve the U.S. transportation system. RITA is composed of the Office of Research, Development and Technology, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the University Transportation Centers, the National Transportation Library, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, and the Transportation Safety Institute. RITA also provides strategic direction and oversight of the USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Program.