Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 1997

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for surface transportation research, development, and technology activities, including: (1) motor carrier transportation and highway planning and development activities; and (2) intelligent transportation systems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 to: (1) award competitive grants to universities to operate centers for transportation and development and transportation research and development (R&D) institutes; and (2) carry out the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program to attract qualified students to the field of transportation research, development, and engineering. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to undertake, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative R&D with non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, foreign governments, colleges and universities, corporations, institutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and trade associations. Intends such R&D to encourage innovative solutions to highway problems and stimulate new technology marketing by private industry. Makes 50 percent the maximum Federal share o…