TRB’s Transit Research Analysis Committee (TRAC) has delivered a letter report to Mr. Vincent Valdes, Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration, and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The June 4, 2008, letter report calls upon the FTA to define how it intends to be a national leader in transit research and how it will follow through on these intentions. The report also calls upon the FTA to communicate the extent and consequences of earmarking in all reporting of the federal transit research and development (R&D) program’s status, progress, and plans. In addition, the report suggests that FTA’s strategic R&D plan should be explicit in delineating how research needs will be identified and addressed to further its R&D goals.