1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Preparing Localities for an Autonomous and Connected Environment Act or the PLACE Act . 2. Grants for the operation of a National Highly Automated Vehicle Clearinghouse (a) In general Part A of subtitle VI of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter: 307 National highly automated vehicle clearinghouse 30701. National highly automated vehicle clearinghouse (a) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall make a grant to an institution of higher education engaged in research on the secondary influences of highly automated vehicles to— (1) operate a national highly automated vehicle clearinghouse; (2) collect, conduct, and fund research on the secondary influences of highly automated vehicles