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Performance Plan Fiscal Year (FY) 2006-2007

Introduction

Highway transportation research is a critical national investment with the potential for tremendous, long-term benefits that will support the national economy and improve infrastructure design and operation, road safety, and mobility across the United States.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) made significant strides in enhancing mobility and developing solutions to many of the Nation’s most pressing highway trans­portation needs. This Performance Plan Fiscal Year 2006–2007 outlines the research and goals that RD&T will strive to accomplish over the next 2 years. The challenge for RD&T will be to continue focusing on opportunities for creative collaboration with partners and stakeholders to leverage available resources and to facilitate the delivery of technology and innovation.

For some time, FHWA has sought to commit resources and broaden its research program to address more long-term, high-risk research—and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005 includes provisions that will enable FHWA to pursue the Advanced Research Program agenda. Advanced research has the potential to dramatically change the way the transportation industry builds, maintains, and safely operates the Nation’s transportation system.

SAFETEA-LU also incorporates other important changes for the highway research and technology program, such as the creation of parallel program structures for pavements, bridges, and structures research and development. For example, there is now a Long-Term Bridge Performance program as well as a Long-Term Pavement Performance program. More information about SAFETEA-LU, including section-by-section analyses, program fact sheets, and funding tables, is available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/index.htm.

The success of the RD&T program over the past 2 years is a testament to the hard work and quality of the researchers and support staff at FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. The goal of the staff is to continue to provide outstanding products and services, and this document provides an overview of what to expect from the RD&T research program, including projects, national research and technology services, and research program contacts. By working closely with customers, stakeholders, and partners, RD&T employees will continue to develop and execute a comprehensive research, development, and technology program that addresses the needs of the American public.

As always, RD&T welcomes customer feedback on this plan through the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Web site at www.fwha.dot.gov/research/tfhrc/.

Dennis C. Judycki
Associate Administrator for Research, Development, and Technology

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