January/February 2000
Vol. 63· No. 4

The Customer Driven Development of Human Factors Design Guidelines

by Christopher A. Monk and Joseph Moyer

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) undertook a six-year research program focused on issued related to in-vehicle information displays in order to provide design assistance to advanced in-vehicle systems engineers.

A More Precise Sense of Where We Are

by James A. Arnold, Rudy Persaud, and David Smallen

The Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System, which will be operational across the country by 2002, will provide such precise, real-time location information that it will create an ever-increasing number of applications.

The 1999 National Quality Initiative (NQI) Achievement Awards

by Donald Tuggle

The National Quality Initiative, a partnership of FHWA and 12 other highway-related organizations, presented its achievement awards to states with highway projects that demonstrate the quality process and results, customer focus, teamwork, innovation and value, and long-term improvement.

DOT Vision for Transportation Research

by David Smallen

The Department of Transportation's approach to research emphasizes cooperation, information-sharing, and development of formal research agendas among the agencies within the department and across the federal government. It also promotes partnerships with state and local governments, academia, and the private sector to encourage innovation and accelerate implementation.

Recent Developments in Federal Project Finance

by David Seltzer

Recent federal legislation continues the trend of introducing "innovative finance" techniques. Two prominent financing programs that have attracted particular attention are "GARVEE bonds" and "THMA".

Western Federal Lands Highway Division Responds to Northwest Emergencies

by Richard Barrows, and Brian Allen

The Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program has been used extensively since 1977 on federal lands such as national forests, national parks, Bureau of Land Management lands, Indian reservations, and wildlife refuges for emergency relief from natural disasters or catastrophic failures. But, in March 1996, the Western Federal Lands Highway Division formed a cross-functional team to respond to the large number of requests for assistance.

Pavement Preservation: Preserving Our Investment in Highways

by Jim Sorenson

If we take a proactive approach in maintaining our existing highways, we can reduce costly, time-consuming rehabilitation and reconstruction and the associated traffic disruptions - improving mobility, reducing congestion, and providing safer, smoother, longer lasting pavements.

MUTCD - The Millenium Edition

by Linda L. Brown

FHWA is completing the first substantial rewriting of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in more than 20 years. This manual contains the standards and guidance for the design and use of signs, pavement markings, traffic signals, and other traffic control devices.

Developing NDE Technologies for Infrastructure Assessment

by Glenn A. Washer

This article provides an overview of FHWA's program for developing nondestructive evaluation technologies for the inspection and evaluation of highway infrastructure.