Ask a Librarian & FAQs

The US DOT Public Access Plan already takes into account the needs of journals and publishers.

• The plan requires that researchers submit to NTL the “final peer-reviewed manuscript accepted for publication, any intramural technical or final reports, and any scientific research project written deliverable (e.g., technical/final reports) that arises from extramural research funded, either fully or partially, by federal funds awarded through a DOT-managed contract, grant, or other agreement.”
  • In the case of papers submitted to peer-reviewed journals, this means researchers should send to NTL the very last, proof-read and corrected document, sent to the Publisher prior to publication.
  • Please DO NOT send to NTL a PDF of the paper as it is laid out by the journal.
  • When negotiating with journals, DOT researchers and employees should be careful not to give away DOT’s copyrights, as noted here: https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/managing-rights
• Researchers may request an embargo, of up to 12 months from the date of journal publication, as detailed on the “How to request an embargo” page at https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/how-request-embargo.