(a) The department may contract with the university for the university to conduct research relating to transportation, including the economics, planning, design, construction, maintenance, or operation of transportation facilities.
(b) An agreement entered into under this section is not subject to Chapter 771, Government Code.

(c) The comptroller may draw proper warrants in favor of the university based on vouchers or claims submitted by the university through the department covering reasonable fees and charges for services rendered by members of the staff of the university system to the department and for equipment and materials necessary for research and experimentation under a contract entered into under this section.
(d) The comptroller shall pay warrants issued under this section against any funds appropriated by the legislature to the department. The payments made to the university shall be credited and deposited to local institutional funds under its control.
(e) In this section:
(1) “Department” means the Texas Department of Transportation.
(2) “Transportation facilities” means highways, turnpikes, airports, railroads, including high-speed railroads, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, waterways, pipelines, electric utility facilities, communication lines and facilities, public transportation facilities, port facilities, and facilities appurtenant to other transportation facilities.