To examine dependable, precise, and commercially affordable positioning and navigation for roadways, the Federal Highway Administration’s Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program and Office of Operations Research and Development convened a panel of Government program managers and researchers involved in positioning and navigation. The workshop was held on November 20, 2012, at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and titled “Vehicle Positioning, Navigation, and Timing: Leveraging Results from EAR Program-Sponsored Research.” It brought together experts who deal with research, development, deployment, or regulation of vehicle positioning and navigation for increased safety, mobility, and efficiency in transportation systems. The experts shared information about the results of EAR Program-sponsored research on vehicle positioning and navigation, addressed potential follow-up applied research, and discussed continued fundamental research gaps. Their findings are presented in a report, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/pubs/13052/13052.pdf.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program and Office of Transportation Management sponsored a focus group study that explored the phenomenon of casual carpooling from the perspective of individuals who participate in such systems as drivers and passengers. Focus groups were held in three of the largest and longest running casual carpooling systems in the Nation: Washington, DC; Houston, TX; and San Francisco, CA. This study was conducted in tandem with a scan trip evaluation conducted in November and December 2010, which brought together a group of academics and transportation professionals to explore the mechanics, logistics, and success of the practice by visiting casual carpooling lines and observing and comparing practices among the three locations. Together, the findings and conclusions drawn from the focus group study and scan trip evaluation will be used to identify possible future research on the potential for and value of expansion or replication of casual carpooling. The results of the focus group study are available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/pubs/13053/index.cfm.  The findings from the scan trip are available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/pubs/12053/index.cfm and in an appendix available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/pubs/13023/index.cfm.

When and why drivers choose a priced or tolled facility over an untolled but congested parallel route is the subject of 3-year project funded by FHWA’s Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program. The project, "Experiments on Driving under Uncertain Congestion Conditions and the Effects on Traffic Networks from Congestion Pricing Initiatives," examines how driver's risk preferences influence their choice of route and travel departure time. On July 9-10, 2013, in Seattle, Washington, during FHWA’s and the Transportation Research Board’s National Congestion Pricing Conference, Karen White of FHWA will discuss the EAR project and highlight the use of the project’s experimental and behavioral economics tools for highway research. [More]

Highway transportation research is collecting and analyzing an increasing amount of video data. While the research community is fortunate to be able to collect more and better data, the amount of data has the potential to overwhelm the capacity to assess the data using current methods. [More]

On August 23, researchers used TFHRC’s intelligent intersection to provide Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) and Geometric Intersection Description (GID) data to a test vehicle equipped with an onboard dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) modem, onboard computer processor, and a display device to provide the driver with speed advice. See how this helps cut emissions and energy [More]

In 2009, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hosted a workshop to identify interests and capabilities for nanoscale research that can be applied to highway industry subject matters. The workshop brought together FHWA technical experts with those from University Transportation Centers, Federal laboratories, and other organizations, which are conducting relevant nanoscale research. The information and thoughts shared at the workshop will shape the scope of FHWA's further investment in nanoscale research through an open solicitation, interagency agreement, or other appropriate mechanisms. The workshop supports the development of strategic roadmaps and outlines funding needs for nanoscale work that could lead to enhanced capabilities and longer term partnerships along specific lines of nanoscale investigations relevant to highway research. The FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research Program coordinated the workshop. [more]