Federal Highway Administration
Research, Development, Technology, & Education, and ITS Overview

Budget Request for FY 2009

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, & EDUCATION (RDT&E)

The Federal Highway Administration is requesting $196.4 million for its program of research, development and deployment in FY 2009. The FHWA is also requesting $26.7 million for education and training related work. These amounts represent activities associated with deployment of safety initiatives, a restructured infrastructure program, and a variety of activities associated with environmental improvement and streamlining, security improvements, and outreach and dissemination.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The FHWA is requesting $66.4 million for infrastructure-related research, focusing on the major areas of pavements and bridges and structures. The pavement and bridges/structures activities include: a) work to develop and improve technologies and techniques to assure that the Nation's infrastructure is world class from a standpoint of longevity, safety, and performance, b) work to assure effective follow-up and deployment of the improvements developed, particularly those that will speed construction and reduce congestion caused by construction and c) efforts to assess the performance of the infrastructure over the longer term.

The FHWA pavements work ($40.8 million, including the Long-Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP)) includes research, development and deployment activities to advance pavement design and analysis, improve pavement materials and construction technology, enhance pavement management and preservation, improve construction quality assurance and advance environmentally sound pavement materials and practices. Initiatives in FY 2009 relate to development of workshops and training courses to expand the use of recently developed design/analysis software and materials characterization tests; research to support development of a fully integrated suite of tools for pavement management (including design, materials selection, construction specifications, including quality control/assurance, and preservation); stewardship reviews; web-based training and regional training centers; research to advance the state of pavement performance prediction, including development of more predictive/reliable testing equipment; deployment of trial pavement sections; performance testing of pavements; and expanded use of performance specifications for infrastructure. The FHWA will continue to work with industry, the State highway agencies and other stakeholders to advance the national pavement technology agendas defined in the concrete, hot mix asphalt, and pavement preservation roadmaps. The FHWA will also complete the originally planned 20-year monitoring period for the Long-Term Pavement Performance, and work with the States and other stakeholders to lay the groundwork for post-2009 follow-up to this landmark research program.

The FHWA's bridge and structures work ($25.6 million) focuses on advances in technologies to support the Administration's high priority mobility and security goals, by developing and promoting approaches that result in longer-lasting, better performing, and more easily constructed and rehabilitated bridges and structures. Work in FY 2009 will address the development and application of advanced materials and accelerated construction technologies both for new construction and in the repair and rehabilitation of existing highway structures and systems. Work will also address needed studies for improving the resilience of the built highway infrastructure in order to provide a high level of resistance against extreme events, including both natural and man-made hazards. In addition, work will continue on the development and deployment of improved technologies for inspecting and assessing bridge structural components and systems, and in developing quality data on bridge performance which can be used to improve bridge design and asset management decision-making.

The FHWA's infrastructure program also includes asset management activities to develop and implement asset management principles leading to cost-effective performance of the nation's transportation infrastructure. Work is proceeding on developing and promoting innovative methods for data collection, evaluation and promotion of effective system preservation programs. Enhanced Engineering Economic Analysis tools that support cost-effective resource allocation and programming decisions are proposed. New initiatives in FY 2009 focus on modeling the performance of bridges (remaining service life), enhancing construction quality through improved program management and stewardship and oversight. Fundamental research on actual costs of maintaining and operating transportation facilities, and including the integration of advanced pavement modeling (into a new version of Highway Economic Requirements System-State (HERS-ST), developing training in data integration techniques, encouraging improvement of management systems to monitor system performance and undertaking engineering and economic analysis as an integral part of the decision making process. The overall goal is to improve the remaining service life of the network through effective system preservation for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods on our highway transportation system.

PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT, AND REAL ESTATE RESEARCH

The FHWA is requesting $19.5 million in this area to support five research initiatives authorized in SAFETEA-LU: Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP), Transportation Economic and Land Use System (TELUS), Center for Environmental Excellence, Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development and the Advanced Travel Forecasting Procedures Program (TRANSIMS). Research activities to be undertaken in these areas include a variety of efforts as part of the STEP to develop a better understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation and the environment. These will include efforts to get input from stakeholders and partners on research emphasis areas, projects and results and will be focused on the major categories that address the environment, planning and analysis tools. Other activities will include: developing and deploying a management information tool (TELUS) to assist State Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the development of their transportation improvement programs, particularly public involvement; providing technical assistance, training and forums for information sharing about best practices in the use of tools and decision-making processes that can assist States, MPOs, counties, rural organizations and other partners in planning and delivering environmentally sound surface transportation projects; developing tools, including training and education to demonstrate how the comprehensive development of small metropolitan and rural regional transportation systems can be responsive to the needs of businesses and local communities; and assisting State Departments of Transportation and MPOs in developing methods and providing training and technical assistance for the implementation of TRANSIMS.

OPERATIONS

The FHWA is requesting $7.84 million for activities in this area. The primary focus of these activities will be on congestion relief solutions. This work will mitigate the impacts of recurring congestion, as well as deal more effectively with non-recurring events that cause congestion, such as traffic incidents, work zones, adverse weather conditions and planned special events. Activities also include refining techniques to measure congestion when it occurs and assess the performance of the highway system, as well as provide useful, real-time information to travelers. Efforts will also be directed at improving congestion management processes at the State and local level and bringing increased attention to incorporation of management and operations strategies into the transportation planning process.

The FHWA is also pursuing a broad range of activities designed to improve freight movement and reduce freight-related congestion throughout the transportation network. These activities include developing skill sets and tools (analytic capacity, data, and professional capacity building) and facilitating both the public and private institutional arrangements necessary to advance freight related transportation projects and improve cross border movement. In addition to these foundational elements, metrics for freight movement on significant corridors and at border crossings are being established, research to positively correlate economic development to freight related transportation projects is being conducted, and a major initiative is underway to improve the profession's ability to model freight flows on the transportation network.

The FHWA operations research program is working closely with the Department's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program to use advanced communications and information systems to reduce congestion. For example, operations research will rely on ITS technology and tools to develop advanced corridor management strategies that will reduce travel times and increase reliability by more evenly distributing travel demand over available routes and modes.

HIGHWAY SAFETY

The FHWA is requesting $13.6 million for safety RT&E activities with emphasis on five core program areas: roadway departure crashes, intersection fatalities, pedestrian fatalities, speeding-related fatalities, and advancement of a strategic approach to improving highway safety.

To address roadway departure crashes, research funds will support activities to enhance understanding of roadway departure crash causation, develop analysis tools and procedures to support better roadside safety design, refine and implement the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), and develop and evaluate countermeasures to prevent and mitigate the consequences of roadway departure crashes. Outreach activities, including training courses, implementation materials, and demonstration and evaluation of technologies, will be critical components of this program.

To reduce intersection fatalities, research funds will support evaluation of innovative infrastructure and operational configurations at both signalized and non-signalized intersections, assess the safety and operational impacts of access management techniques on surface street networks, improve signal design settings to reduce red-light running at signalized intersections, and enhance tools for safety analysis of freeway interchanges. Road safety audit training and promotion of intersection safety analysis tools will be critical components of this program area.

To address the problem of pedestrian fatalities, FHWA research will include evaluation of the impacts of traffic calming designs on pedestrian and bicyclist safety and development of expert systems to evaluate pedestrian and bicycle improvement opportunities. The FHWA will continue to work in cooperation with the NHTSA on developing and evaluating comprehensive countermeasures and appropriate tools and technologies to improve pedestrian safety, integrating pedestrian issues in the planning, design, operations, and maintenance of roadway facilities, and implementing key recommendations from our partners and customers.

To reduce speeding-related fatalities, the FHWA will place emphasis on a speed management program that involves: evaluating variable speed limits, speed-reducing treatments on main roads through rural communities; and creation of rational speed limits.

Towards advancement of a strategic approach to improving highway safety, the FHWA will enhance the functions of the Digital Highway Measurement System to collect roadway data; deploy and enhance the SafetyAnalyst software; evaluate the effectiveness of various safety improvements; and operate and maintain the fifth generation of the Highway Safety Information System. Research funds will also be used to develop, demonstrate, and implement techniques for States to collect better safety data; to use the information appropriately to support Strategic Highway Safety Plans; and to evaluate the success of safety programs. This will ensure that resources are allocated so as to provide maximum returns in reducing the severity and frequency of crashes.

In addition, the FHWA will conduct safety research projects that contribute to multiple objectives, including advancing visibility technologies and better defining the visual requirements of road users, and working on human-centered systems to incorporate human factors considerations into all aspects of highway design.

POLICY

The FHWA is requesting $0.26 million for the Policy Office's International Highway Transportation Outreach Program. Initiatives will include completion of up to five international Scanning research trips (in collaboration with AASHTO) plus implementation of findings and recommendations from previous Scanning reports. International research activities will also include program and project activities in support of the Department's Congestion Initiative and Safety Goal, technology exchange with and technical assistance to strategically and economically important partners (i.e., Iraq, Israel, Russia, Mexico, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Korea and Latin American partners), collaboration with State DOTs and Local Technical Assistance Programs (LTAP) centers on international efforts, deployment of U.S. technologies, and collaboration with and representation at other national and international organizations.

EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH

The FHWA is requesting $12.2 million for Exploratory Advanced Research to continue the implementation of the authorized program. All advanced research initiatives are intended to have the common objective of addressing mission-oriented technology and knowledge gaps. The FHWA's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center manages and administers the Exploratory Advanced Research program, which is intentionally ambitious to address longer-term, higher risk research on a wide-spectrum of topics and objectives. In 2007, Federal Highway Administration issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking research and development projects that could lead to potentially transformational advances in the durability, efficiency, and environmental impact, productivity, and safety aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems. In addition to the BAA, the Exploratory Advanced Research Program initiated a scanning and convening program element to identify fundamental research and breakthrough technologies that could be exploited for possible highway application. An advanced research reference librarian will conduct targeted and scanning investigations of published literature to inform researchers and program mangers of opportunities and assist with a dedicated Website. A program manager is being sought who is technically skilled, with the ability to integrate, innovate, and readily assess new ideas.

FUTURE STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM—SHRP II

The FHWA is requesting $44.7 million for SHRP II, which will be conducted by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences. The program is a targeted, short-term, results-oriented program of strategic highway research designed to advance highway performance and safety for U.S. highway users. This program will include funding for the four areas of research that were identified by a TRB-established committee of leaders from the highway community. Research under the Safety area ($17.9 million) will include work on the prevention and reduction of the severity of highway crashes by understanding driver behavior. Under the Renewal area ($11.6 million), work will address the aging infrastructure through rapid design and construction methods that cause minimal disruption and produce long-lived facilities. Reliability ($7.6 million) will reduce congestion through incident reduction, management, response, and mitigation. And research under the Capacity area ($7.6 million) will integrate mobility, economic, environmental, and community needs in the planning and designing of new transportation capacity. During this year, work will also begin on the implementation report to Congress with a proposed plan for addressing this requirement. The report is due February 1, 2009.

U.S. DOT PARTNER ADMINISTRATIONS

The FHWA is also requesting $31.9 million for SAFETEA-LU programs being led by other U.S. DOT modes. This request includes $0.76 million for the Office of the Secretary (OST) to administer the Center for Excellence in Project Finance. The request also includes $28.53 million for eight programs to be led by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). These programs are: National Cooperative Freight Transportation Research, Biobased Transportation Research, Commercial Remote Sensing Products and Spatial Information Technologies, Technology Transfer Grant, Rural Transportation Research Initiative, Hydrogen-Powered Transportation Research Initiative, Cold Region and Rural Transportation Research, Maintenance, and Operations, Advanced Vehicle Technology, and Renewable Transportation Systems Research. This request also includes $0.43 million for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct Automobile Accident Injury Research, $1.09 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to conduct Motor Carrier Efficiency Study, and $1.09 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to conduct Hazardous Materials Research Projects.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The FHWA is requesting $26.7 million to support education and training activities. The National Highway Institute ($9.27 million) provides training courses which present the latest technologies and best practices in highway construction. The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTPP) ($10.72 million) supports technology transfer centers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and regional centers serving Native American tribal governments. The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program ($2.12 million) provides opportunities for high performing students and faculty to research transportation topics. The Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program ($1.21 million) enhances science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the elementary and secondary school level. The Transportation Education Development Pilot Program ($1.81 million) develops new curricula and education programs to train individuals at all levels of the transportation workforce. Freight Planning Capacity Building ($0.85 million) supports enhancements in freight transportation planning. The Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions Technical Assistance and Training Program ($0.72 million) disseminates the results of the surface transportation congestion relief solutions research initiative for the purpose of assisting State transportation departments and local transportation agencies with improving their approaches to surface transportation congestion measurement, analysis, and project programming.

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS)

The FHWA is requesting $110.0 million for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) programs. The ITS Program is focused on the development and deployment of technology for improving the safety and operation of our surface transportation system. Currently the ITS Program is authorized at $110 million per year. The current program is organized around nine major R&D initiatives and the Deployment Support Program. The Major Initiatives are large multi-year programs focused on a particular transportation issue with specific milestones and end goals. There are four major initiatives focused on safety, four focused on mobility and one focused on global connectivity. The Deployment Support Program consists of several programs all focused on providing the necessary tools, guidance, training, etc. to support the deployment and operation of ITS by State and local governments. These programs consist of Architecture and Standards, Professional Capacity building, Evaluation and Assessment, and Outreach. Additional budget details are contained in the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) budget submission.

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH

The FHWA is requesting $69.7 million for University Transportation Research. University Transportation Centers programs support 52 university-based centers that conduct state-of-the-art in transportation research, undertake education activities for the next generation of transportation professionals, and for technology transfer activities. This program is funded by Title V of SAFETEA-LU and is managed by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). Additional budget details are contained in the RITA budget submission.

BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS (BTS)

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is requesting $27.0 million to support statistical activities in FY 2009. BTS is a component of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The Bureau collects, compiles, analyzes, and publishes transportation statistics in areas specified in SAFETEA-LU. Key areas of focus include data on freight, travel, and aviation; transportation economics; geospatial data; and the National Transportation Library. Details on BTS's programs are included in RITA's budget request.

EXHIBIT V-1.a

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Budget Authority
(in thousands of dollars)
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION			FY 2007 Enacted	FY 2008 Enacted	FY 2009 Pres. Bud.
A.	Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment Program		180,829	169,369	196,400
	1.	Safety	7,839	6,880	7,978
	2.	Safety (T)	6,413	4,861	5,637
	3.	Pavements	18,891	20,148	23,363
	4.	Pavements (T)	10,174	7,486	8,681
	5.	Structures	13,181	14,151	16,409
	6.	Structures (T)	10,785	7,885	9,144
	7.	Planning, Environment, and Realty	7,074	14,938	17,322
	8.	Planning, Environment, and Realty (T)	10,610	1,875	2,174
	9.	Highway Operations	4,268	5,755	6,674
	10.	Highway Operations (T)	2,845	1,008	1,169
	11.	Long-Term Pavement Performance	7,998	7,604	8,818
	12.	International Outreach	237	147	170
	13	International Outreach (T)	0	79	91
	14.	Exploratory Advanced Research	11,064	10,520	12,199
	15.	Future Strategic Highway Research Program-SHRP II	40,504	38,511	44,657
	16.	OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA	15,329	25,273	29,307
	17.	OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA (T)	13,617	2,248	2,607
B.	Training and Education		24,583	24,671	26,700
	1.	National Highway Institute (T)	8,535	8,566	9,270
	2.	Local Technical Assistance Program (T)	9,869	9,904	10,719
	3.	Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (T)	1,956	1,963	2,124
	4.	Garret Morgan Program (T)	1,111	1,115	1,207
	5.	Transportation Education Development Pilot (T)	1,667	1,673	1,811
	6.	Freight Planning Capacity Building (T)	778	781	845
	7.	Surface Transportation Relief Assistance Program (T)	667	669	724
C.	Intelligent Transportation Systems		101,279	101,640	110,000
	1.	Vehicle Infrastructure Integration	34,770	15,880	23,910
	2.	Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems	638	1,800	1,350
	3.	Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems	8,764	4,925	4,400
	4.	Next Generation 911	2,530	0	0
	5.	Integrated Corridor Management	2,702	3,650	8,800
	6.	Emergency Management and Operations	1,280	1,000	0
	7.	Mobility Services for All Americans	738	2,775	1,200
	8.	Clarus	3,065	1,850	2,200
	9.	Road Weather Research and Development	1,239	2,775	3,300
	10.	I-95 (T)	6,335	6,420	7,800
	11.	Architecture and Standards (T)	6,567	4,290	4,700
	12.	Professional Capacity Building (T)	3,535	2,445	2,700
	13.	Program Assessment (T)	3,201	4,310	3,100
	14.	Outreach (T)	685	370	440
	15.	ITS Program Support	3,420	4,530	6,100
	16.	Congestion Relief Research and Development (T)	20,000	40,000	40,000
	17.	Rural Communications Corridor Study	1,810	4,620	0
D.	University Transportation Research		64,174	64,403	69,700
	1.	University Transportation Research (T)	64,174	64,403	69,700
E.	Other		165,774	166,921	156,221
	1.	State Planning and Research (SPR) 1/	165,774	166,921	156,221
F.	Administrative Expenses		17,556	17,960	18,373
	Subtotal, Research and Development		370,671	372,613	392,751
	Subtotal, Technology Investment (T)		183,524	172,351	184,643
	Subtotal RD&T Programs		554,195	544,964	577,394
	Add: Bureau of Transportation Statistics		27,469	27,000	27,000
	Less: Administrative Expenses		-17,556	-17,960	-18,373
	Less: State Planning and Research (SPR)		-165,774	-166,921	-156,221
	Total Title V Programs		398,334	387,083	429,800

Footnotes:

1/ Title 23 USC 505(b) requires State DOT's to expend no less than 25 percent of their annual SPR funds on RD&T activities. Total SPR funding represents 2 percent of apportioned programs e.g. Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System, Surface Transportation, etc. and other allocations to the States.

2/ FY 2009 Contract Authority amounts reflect SAFETEA-LU levels and do not include projected negative Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA).

EXHIBIT V-1.b

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Obligation Limitation
(in thousands of dollars)
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION			FY 2007 Oblim	FY 2008 Oblim	FY 2009 Oblim (Est.)
A.	Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Deployment Program		180,829	169,369	185,410
	1.	Safety	7,839	6,880	7,069
	2.	Safety (T)	6,413	4,861	5,783
	3.	Pavements	18,891	20,148	19,662
	4.	Pavements (T)	10,174	7,486	10,589
	5.	Structures	13,181	14,151	13,268
	6.	Structures (T)	10,785	7,885	10,856
	7.	Planning, Environment, and Realty	7,074	14,938	7,363
	8.	Planning, Environment, and Realty (T)	10,610	1,875	11,043
	9.	Highway Operations	4,268	5,755	4,442
	10.	Highway Operations (T)	2,845	1,008	2,961
	11.	Long-Term Pavement Performance	7,998	7,604	8,325
	12.	International Outreach	237	147	161
	13.	International Outreach (T)	0	79	86
	14.	Exploratory Advanced Research	11,064	10,520	11,516
	15.	Future Strategic Highway Research Program-SHRP II	40,504	38,511	42,158
	16.	OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA	15,329	25,273	15,955
	17.	OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA (T)	13,617	2,248	14,173
B.	Training and Education		24,583	24,671	25,206
	1.	National Highway Institute (T)	8,535	8,566	8,751
	2.	Local Technical Assistance Program (T)	9,869	9,904	10,119
	3.	Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (T)	1,956	1,963	2,005
	4.	Garret Morgan Program (T)	1,111	1,115	1,139
	5.	Transportation Education Development Pilot (T)	1,667	1,673	1,710
	6.	Freight Planning Capacity Building (T)	778	781	798
	7.	Surface Transportation Relief Assistance Program (T)	667	669	683
C.	Intelligent Transportation Systems		101,279	101,640	103,845
	1.	Vehicle Infrastructure Integration	34,770	15,880	22,572
	2.	Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems	638	1,800	1,274
	3.	Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems	8,764	4,925	4,154
	4.	Next Generation 911	2,530	0	0
	5.	Integrated Corridor Management	2,702	3,650	8,308
	6.	Emergency Management and Operations	1,280	1,000	0
	7.	Mobility Services for All Americans	738	2,775	1,133
	8.	Clarus	3,065	1,850	2,077
	9.	Road Weather Research and Development	1,239	2,775	3,115
	10.	I-95 (T)	6,335	6,420	7,364
	11.	Architecture and Standards (T)	6,567	4,290	4,437
	12.	Professional Capacity Building (T)	3,535	2,445	2,549
	13.	Program Assessment (T)	3,201	4,310	2,927
	14.	Outreach (T)	685	370	415
	15.	ITS Program Support	3,420	4,530	5,759
	16.	Congestion Relief Research and Development (T)	20,000	40,000	37,762
	17.	Rural Communications Corridor Study	1,810	4,620	0
D.	University Transportation Research		64,174	64,403	65,800
	1.	University Transportation Research (T)	64,174	64,403	65,800
E.	Other		165,774	166,921	156,221
	1.	State Planning and Research (SPR) 1/	165,774	166,921	156,221
F.	Administrative Expenses		17,556	17,960	18,373
	Subtotal, Research and Development		370,671	372,613	352,904
	Subtotal, Technology Investment (T)		183,524	172,351	201,950
	Subtotal RD&T Programs		554,195	544,964	554,854
	Add: Bureau of Transportation Statistics		27,469	27,000	27,000
	Less: Administrative Expenses		-17,556	-17,960	-18,373
	Less: State Planning and Research (SPR)		-165,774	-166,921	-156,221
	Total Title V Programs 2/		398,334	387,083	407,260

Footnotes:

2/ Estimated Obligation Limitation includes projected negative RABA in FY 2009.

EXHIBIT V-2

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
FY 2009 RD&T Budget Request
($000)
RD&T Program	FY 2009 Request	Safety	Reduced Congestion	Global Conn.	Environ Steward.	Security	Org. Excell.
Surface Transp. Research, Development, and Deployment Program	196,400	36,975	121,253	2,574	32,273	600	2,725
Safety	13,614	13,614
Safety	7,488	7,488
Safety (T)	6,126	6,126
Pavements	32,045		29,545		2,500
Pavements	20,828		19,203		1,625
Pavements (T)	11,217		10,342		875
Structures	25,553		25,553
Structures	14,054		14,054
Structures (T)	11,499		11,499
Planning, Environment, and Realty	19,497	100	7,912	1,313	8,046	0	2,126
Planning, Environment, and Realty	7,799	40	3,165	525	3,219		850
Planning, Environment, and Realty (T)	11,698	60	4,747	788	4,827		1,276
Highway Operations	7,842		7,842
Highway Operations	3,137		3,137
Highway Operations (T)	4,705		4,705
Long-Term Pavement Performance	8,818		8,818
International Outreach	261			261
Exploratory Advanced Research	12,199	3,000	6,000	1,000	1,000	600	599
Future Strategic Highway Research Program-SHRP II	44,657	17,863	19,137		7,657
OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA	31,914	2,398	16,446		13,070
OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA	16,901	1,270	8,709		6,922
OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA (T)	15,013	1,128	7,737		6,148

Training and Education	26,700	8,000	8,494	845	2,000	500	6,861
National Highway Institute (T)	9,270	1,000	6,770		1,000	500
Local Technical Assistance Program (T)	10,719	7,000	1,000		1,000		1,719
Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (T)	2,124						2,124
Garret Morgan Program (T)	1,207						1,207
Transportation Education Development Pilot (T)	1,811						1,811
Freight Planning Capacity Building (T)	845			845
Surface Transportation Relief Assistance Program (T)	724		724

Intelligent Transportation Systems	110,000	29,570	77,730	2,700	0	0	0
Vehicle Infrastructure Integration	23,910	12,200	11,710
Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems	1,350	1,350
Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System	4,400	4,400
Integrated Corridor Management	8,800		8,800
Mobility Services for All Americans	1,200		1,200
Clarus	2,200	1,100	1,100
Road Weather Research and Development	3,300	1,100	2,200
I-95 (T)	7,800	1,200	4,400	2,200
Architecture and Standards (T)	4,700	2,000	2,700
Professional Capacity Building (T)	2,700	1,000	1,700
Program Assessment (T)	3,100	1,500	1,600
Outreach (T)	440	220	220
ITS Program Support	6,100	3,500	2,100	500
Congestion Relief Research and Development (T)	40,000		40,000

University Transportation Research	69,700	0	69,700	0	0	0	0
University Transportation Research (T)	69,700		69,700

Other	156,221	0	156,221	0	0	0	0
State Planning and Research (SPR)	156,221		156,221

Administrative Expenses	18,373						18,373

Subtotal, R&D	361,996	53,311	265,554	2,286	20,423	600	19,822
Subtotal, Technology Investment (T)	215,398	21,234	167,844	3,833	13,850	500	8,137
Subtotal RD&T Programs	577,394	74,545	433,398	6,119	34,273	1,100	27,959

Add: Bureau of Transportation Statistics	27,000						27,000
Less: Administrative Expenses	-18,373						-18,373
Less: State Planning and Research (SPR)	-156,221		-171,143
Total Title V Programs	429,800	74,545	262,255	6,119	34,273	1,100	36,586

Federal Highway Administration

RD&T Program Summary

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: SAFETY

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $13,614,000

Projects

Safety Research and Innovation Deployment Program

Objective: Demonstrate the application of innovative technologies in highway safety.

Description: Demonstrate the application of innovative technologies in highway safety and support the deployment and evaluation of safety technologies and innovations at the State and local levels. In this research area, efforts will include the deployment of best practices in safety training and management.

Outputs:

Enhance understanding of roadway departure crash causation.
Develop analysis tools and procedures to support better roadside safety design and highway geometric design.
Develop and evaluate countermeasures to keep vehicles on the road and to reduce the severity of crashes when motorists depart the lane or road.
Promote appropriate use of new technologies to reduce roadway departure crashes including outreach, training course development, implementation materials, and demonstrations.
Evaluate innovate infrastructure and operational configurations at signalized and non-signalized intersections.
Assess the safety and operational impacts of access management techniques on surface street networks.
Improve signal design settings to reduce red-light running at signalized intersections.
Develop and promote improved safety analysis methods for intersections and freeway interchanges.
Assess the impacts of traffic calming designs on pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
Improve tools for evaluating pedestrian and bicycle improvement opportunities.
Improve integration of pedestrian issues in the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of roadway facilities.
Evaluate variable speed limits.
Assess speed-reducing treatments on main roads through rural communities.
Enhance the functions of the Digital Highway Measurement System.
Deploy and enhance the Safety Analyst software.
Disseminate and analyze Highway Safety Improvement System to improve understanding of crash causation, to provide useful crash typologies, and to support effective crash data analyses.
Evaluate the effectiveness of various safety improvements in support of State Strategic Highway Safety Plans.
Develop, demonstrate, and implement techniques for States to collect better data, to use the information appropriately to support Strategic Highway Safety Plans, and to evaluate the success of safety programs.
Advance highway visibility technologies.
Better define the visual requirements of road users.
Improve incorporation of human-centered system considerations in all aspects of highway design, particularly innovative designs.

RD&T Partners: The FHWA engages a variety of partners in various activities within the Safety Research and Innovative Deployment Program. The NHTSA is a funding partner in the National Crash Analysis Center, which supports roadway departure RD&T. The FHWA works in cooperation with the NHTSA on pedestrian safety RD&T. On speed-related RD&T, the FHWA participates with the NHTSA and FMCSA on the USDOT Speed Management Team in carrying out the USDOT Speed Management Strategic Initiative. The FHWA is active on the Human Factors Coordinating Council, which identifies and coordinates crossmodal RD&T and ensures the appropriate application of the science of human factors to the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of transportation systems.

FY 2009 Funding: $11,110,000

Center for Surface Transportation Safety

Objective: Develops and disseminates advanced transportation safety techniques and innovations in both rural areas and urban communities.

Description: The center will use a controlled access highway with state-of-the-art features to test safety devices and techniques that enhance driver performance, to examine advanced pavement and lighting systems, and to develop techniques to address older driver and fatigue issues.

Outputs:

Knowledge gained on vehicle-based approach to safety devices to enhance driver performance.
Knowledge gained on infrastructure-based approach to safety devices to enhance driver performance.
Reports and guidelines on safety devices and techniques that result in improved safety, especially with regard to a reduction in the number and rate of fatal run-off-road crashes on two-lane rural roads.
Knowledge gained on roadway lighting parameters that have the highest correlation to reductions in crash rate and severity.
Knowledge gained on driver visual requirements for detection of objects and pedestrians on and along the roadway.
Development of practical metric and design methods for roadway lighting.
Reports and guidelines on appropriate delineation requirements for various road classes.
Knowledge gained regarding age-related impacts on driving performance.
Reports on skill acquisition and errors in judgment by younger drivers.
Reports on errors in perception and skill degradation among older drivers.
Reports and recommendations on on-road sleeping patterns and safety effects for commercial motor vehicle operators.
Evaluation of the safety impact of the August 2005 FMCSA Hours of Service rule for commercial vehicle drivers.
Research results on examination of advanced roadway delineation and lighting systems.

RD&T Partners: The Center has formed a stakeholders committee comprised of organizations that wish to participate in improving road user safety both locally and across the nation. Stakeholders provide direct funding to the Center, provide input to research direction, and serve as overseers of research results. The Stakeholders' Committee currently includes the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, General Motors Corporation, and the Virginia Transportation Research Center. The Center will also work with FMCSA regarding commercial vehicle safety (specifically driver fatigue), and with NHTSA regarding age-related impacts on driving performance and the impacts of headlight glare.

FY 2009 Funding: $654,000

Center for Excellence in Rural Safety

Objective: Provides research, training, and outreach on innovative uses of technology to enhance rural safety and economic development, assess local community needs, and improve access to mobile emergency treatment.

Description: The Center, as required by SAFETEA-LU Section 5309, is housed at the Hubert Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. Among other activities, the program will address the online and seminar training needs of rural transportation practitioners and policy makers

Outputs:

Strategic partnerships with key stakeholder groups in order to leverage related activities on rural safety, including Advisory Committee at the Summer Institute, and other colleges.
Knowledge gained through research on technological, policy, behavior, and educational issues related to rural transportation safety.
Development and deployment of training and outreach to advance innovative uses of technology, policy, and best practices to enhance rural safety and economic development to rural transportation practitioners and policy makers.
Creation and utilization of both traditional and innovative outreach mechanisms, which may include safety circuit rider program, streaming video, on-demand training library, web-based training, as well as other educational activities suited to improving rural safety and economic development.
Disseminate safety countermeasures to counties and localities.

RD&T Partners: The Hubert Humphrey Institute conducts projects in cooperation with the Claremont Graduate University, New England Transportation Institute, and Center for Transportation Studies. The Center Advisory Committee membership includes NHTSA, AASHTO, TRB, NACE, Minnesota DOT, and the ITS Institute, in addition to the FHWA. The Summer Institute invites these and other relevant organizations and professionals.

FY 2009 Funding: $761,000

Transportation Injury Research

Objective: Supports the Center for Transportation Injury Research at the Calspan University of Buffalo, New York.

Description: This Center will perform interdisciplinary, systems-oriented research to reduce the occurrence, severity, and consequences of crash-related injuries.

Outputs:

Knowledge gained on the statistics of rare events as it applies to highway safety.
In-depth assessment of the benefits from the roadside safety hardware certification process relative to injuries observed in crashes.
Improvement methods for medical transport services at highway crashes.
Review of structural safety issues for truck-tractor designers relative to driver safety improvements.

RD&T Partners: The FHWA collaborates with FMCSA, which provides technical input on activities related to motor carrier safety.

FY 2009 Funding: $1,089,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: PAVEMENTS

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $32,045,000

Projects

Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment

Objective: Researches, develops, demonstrates, promotes, supports, and documents the application of innovative pavement technologies, specifications and test methods, and practices.

Description: Activities will include the development and deployment of new, cost-effective, and innovative designs, materials, and practices to extend pavement life and performance; promotion and use of improved engineering design criteria and specifications; and use of accelerated construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time.

Outputs:

Enhanced quality systems for highway paving
Information and component models for "next generation" design and analysis
Improved design systems, materials selection, and performance prediction technologies to optimize pavement performance for new and recycled materials
Expanded guidance for effective pavement system management and preservation
Guidance for optimization of pavement surface characteristics for safety, noise, and riding comfort
Expanded guidance on environmentally sound pavement materials and practices

RD&T Partners: Continued coordination and collaboration with the FAA, AASHTO and its member agencies, the American Concrete Pavement Association, the National Asphalt Pavement Association and other industry groups to advance research and technology deployment in areas of mutual interest. Continue to sponsor the TRB Committee for Pavement Technology Review and Evaluation as a forum for stakeholder input on program content, conduct and products.

FY 2009 Funding: $19,715,000

Alkali-Silica Reactivity

Objective: Development and deployment of techniques to prevent and mitigate alkali silica reactivity.

Description: Conducts research and implements technologies to address the problem of cracking and eventual failure of concrete in bridges, pavements, and other structures due to silica and alkali reaction in portland cement.

Outputs:

Guidance for reducing the effects of ASR on new and existing structures and pavements
Develop ASR identification, monitoring, and testing procedures
Implement findings and educate the public and private sectors

RD&T Partners: Continue to coordinate and collaborate with FAA to avoid duplicative efforts and maximize success in addressing ASR.

FY 2009 Funding: $2,135,000

Fundamental Properties of Asphalts and Modified Asphalts

Objective: Promote innovative technologies that will improve pavement durability, extend service life, and help reduce costs.

Description: Among some of the research topics to be pursued are the development of the chemical/molecular model of asphalt, and the determination of the molecular and microstructural bases of asphalt and mix rheology and of pavement performance in general. WRI will continue pinning down the fundamental mechanisms of oxidation and developing the fundamental mechanisms of fatigue cracking.

Outputs:

Develop and validate an engineering performance prediction model of asphalt pavement that relates engineering properties to chemical/molecular parameters.
Transfer fundamental science/technology developed to the practical world of the asphalt highway paving industry.
Develop improved chemical and physicochemical methods to enhance the characterization and performance prediction of modified asphalts.
Develop chemical/molecular understanding of aggregate surfaces and their effects on mix performance to the level of our current understanding of analogous properties of chemically different asphalts and their differential effects on pavement performance.

RD&T Partners: Continue stakeholder (State highway agency and industry) review and evaluation of work through contractor participation in expert task group meetings and other appropriate stakeholder forums.

FY 2009 Funding: $3,660,000

Asphalt Research Consortium

Objective: Conduct research in flexible pavements and on extending the life cycle of asphalt.

Description: This research consortium will be led by the Western Research Institute in Laramie, Wyoming.

Outputs:

Validation and calibration of findings of the fundamental properties of asphalt (Fundamental Contract) which impact performance using mixture testing and pavement test sites.
New technological capabilities to increase pavement durability, performance, and reduce life cycle cost.
Enhanced knowledge of and new models on vehicle-pavement interactions as they relate to noise and friction.
Identification of mechanism of action for polyphosphoric acid as an asphalt binder modifier as well as its potential beneficial and deleterious effects.
Comprehensive technology transfer and training program for Agreement products.

FY 2009 Funding: $6,535,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: STRUCTURES

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $25,553,000

Projects

Seismic Research

Objective: Study the vulnerability and improve the resiliency of the Nation's bridges and highways to earthquakes.

Description: The program will develop and implement cost-effective methods to reduce vulnerabilities and economic loss through the conduct of seismic research and technology deployment, education, and training. Upgrades will be made to earthquake simulation facilities, as necessary, to carry out the program.

Outputs:

Design details to accommodate seismic behavior and design of prefabricated segmental bridge components for accelerated bridge construction in seismic regions
Design criteria for protection of bridges against earthquakes and other hazards, with a focus on near-fault earthquake impacts
Implement improved earthquake loss estimation technology
Improve earthquake damage assessment technology

RD&T Partners: Federal agencies associated with the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), State departments of transportation, industry and academia

FY 2009 Funding: $2,178,000

Long-Term Bridge Performance

Objective: Provide quality data on the performance of in-service highway bridges regularly inspected and monitored over a period of 20 years.

Description: Highway agencies will use this data to make informed decisions on all aspects of bridge design and construction of bridges, and in making asset management decisions regarding maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation in order to meet future needs.

Outputs:

Research quality data on the performance of highway bridges under a range of exposures and loadings
Research quality data that can be used to assess the effectiveness of maintenance approaches and strategies
Standards and protocols for the collection and dissemination of bridge performance data in order to unify activities both nationally and globally
A collateral output is expected to be significant improvements in sensor technologies and systems for assessing and monitoring the performance and "health" of bridges and structures
Database of quantifiable bridge performance information
Improved asset management investment and maintenance decision making for highway bridges

RD&T Partners: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), State departments of Transportation, University Transportation Centers, industry

FY 2009 Funding: $6,753,000

Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment

Objective: Promote, demonstrate, evaluate, and document the application of innovative designs, materials, and construction methods in the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures.

Description: Program activities will include research, deployment, and education in support of innovative approaches and technologies that will significantly improve design methodologies, accelerate and improve the quality of construction, and result in higher levels of durability and resilience for highway structures. In addition, the program will have a major component focused on extending high-performance concrete bridge technology.

Outputs:

Revisions to AASHTO bridge design and materials specifications and standards
Demonstration and evaluation of improved bridge design and construction practices
Development, demonstration and evaluation of technologies and approaches that will result in significantly higher resilience against natural hazards and other extreme events
Develop and deploy Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques to increase safety and durability and reduce construction time and traffic congestion
Continue the improvement in and deployment of high-performance materials for infrastructure applications
Develop and deploy improved methods for economical bridge foundation designs

RD&T Partners: AASHTO, State departments of transportation, academia, industry

FY 2009 Funding: $11,415,000

High-Performing Steel Bridge

Objective: Demonstrate the application of high-performing steel in the construction and rehabilitation of bridges.

Outputs:

Revisions to AASHTO bridge design and materials specifications and standards
Development of improved bridge design, fabrication, and construction/erection practices and technologies
Modern fracture control plan to guide fabrication and maintenance of bridge structures
Designers guide for efficient use of high-performance steel
Economically efficient and structurally durable corrosion-resistant steel

RD&T Partners: National Steel Bridge Alliance, U.S. Navy, AASHTO, State departments of transportation, academia, industry

FY 2009 Funding: $3,573,000

Steel Bridge Testing

Objective: Improve the capability for identifying fatigue cracking in steel bridges using nondestructive evaluation and testing technology (NDE/NDT).

Description: Program activities will focus on the development or improvement of nondestructive testing technologies that are able to detect fatigue and other cracks in steel bridges and other structures, and to effectively demonstrate and deploy these technologies in the field.

Outputs:

Improved technology for detecting cracks in steel bridges and other structures
Guide for use of NDE technologies in steel bridge inspection and evaluation
Guidance on cost-effective and timely repair and retrofitting of fatigue-cracked structures

RD&T Partners: AASHTO, State departments of transportation, academia, and industry

FY 2009 Funding: $1,089,000

Ultra-high-performance Concrete Demonstrations

Objective: Demonstrate the use of a steel-fiber-reinforced reactive powder concrete (known as Ultra-High Performance Concrete – UHPC) which has significantly improved strength, durability, and corrosion resistance characteristics over that of concrete used in typical bridge and structural applications.

Description: This work will result in improved material characterization and recommendations regarding the efficient use of this high performance, but expensive, structural material in appropriate bridge applications. The research is likely to drive important new innovations in bridge design and construction practices.

Outputs:

Quantify material properties for use in design and long-term field applications
Develop optimized precast UHPC bridge deck and other bridge systems
Design provisions and examples compatible with AASHTO specifications

RD&T Partners: AASHTO, State departments of transportation, academia, and industry

FY 2009 Funding: $545,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT, AND REALTY

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $19,497,000

Projects

Transportation, Economics, and Land Use System (TELUS)

Objective: Help MPOs and State DOTs develop their transportation improvement programs and carry out other transportation planning responsibilities.

Description: A fully integrated information management and decision support system, TELUS will help states and MPOs assure public participation in the transportation planning process.

Outputs:

States and MPOs utilize TELUS in the development of transportation improvement programs and other transportation planning initiatives

RD&T Partners: Establish joint working group with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) and the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) to investigate improvements and updates to TELUS.

FY 2009 Funding: $872,000

Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program

Objective: Improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation and the environment.

Description: Among other efforts, the program will support safety-conscious planning of surface transportation systems and improvements.

Outputs:

Develop and/or support accurate models for evaluating transportation control measures and develop indicators of economic, social and environmental performance of transportation systems to facilitate alternative analysis
Support transportation safety planning of surface transportation systems and improvements
Improve planning, operation and management of surface transportation services and assets
Advance the state of the practice in multimodal and intermodal transportation planning
Conduct research to assess the potential impact of climate change on transportation
Develop and deploy research to address congestion reduction efforts
Improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation and the environment
Enhance knowledge of strategies to improve transportation in rural areas and small communities
Strengthen and advance State/local and tribal capabilities regarding the complex relationship between surface transportation and the environment
Improve transportation decision-making and coordination across borders
Improve state of the practice regarding the impact of transportation on the environment
Conduct research to promote environmental streamlining/stewardship

RD&T Partners: Coordinate any work addressing climate change with the Department's Climate Change Center. Partner with Federal, State, local partners to leverage STEP research funding.

FY 2009 Funding: $14,704,000

Center for Environmental Excellence

Objective: Assist states in planning and delivering environmentally sound surface transportation projects.

Description: The center will provide technical assistance, information on best practices, and training in the use of tools and decision-making processes.

Outputs:

Conduct research to promote environmental streamlining/stewardship
Advance Context Sensitive Solutions
Identify and promote technology and geospatial innovations
Conduct problem solving sessions on Federal environmental legislation, policies and procedures
Conduct workshops on implementing SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process provisions
Transfer knowledge to environment and transportation professionals
Collaborate on research agenda development
Document good practices through solicitation of case studies and best practices

RD&T Partners: Coordinate any work addressing climate change with the Department's Climate Change Center. Partner with State Departments of Transportation, Federal and State resource and regulatory agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

FY 2009 Funding: $1,089,000

Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development

Objective: Assist in the development of small metropolitan and rural regional transportation systems that are responsive to the needs of businesses and local communities.

Description: Focusing on training, education, and research geared toward developing small metropolitan and rural regional transportation systems, the center is promoting the use of innovative strategies to expand the capabilities, capacity, and effectiveness of regional transportation networks, including activities related to freight projects, transit system upgrades, roadways, bridges, and intermodal facilities.

Outputs:

Improved knowledge of transportation and economic development
Transfer knowledge to economic development and transportation professionals

RD&T Partners: New England Transportation Institute, Delta Regional Authority

FY 2009 Funding: $545,000

Advanced Travel Forecasting Procedures Program

Objective: Continues deployment of the Transportation Analysis Simulation System (TRANSIMS) as a planning tool.

Description: The program will develop additional applications and uses of the TRANSIMS model.

Outputs:

Demonstrate mode-split procedures combining highway, transit, and non-motorized modes for tracking and simulating travelers on a second-by-second basis
Develop travel forecasting methods based on tracking individuals and vehicles. Apply methods to entire regions
Use simulation technologies to understand the impact of operational improvements on the demand for travel
Use simulation technologies to understand the impact of travel, by time of day, on overall mobility
Provide training on methods
Provide support for planning agencies in the implementation of new methods

RD&T Partners: Work with the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security to develop an emergency evacuation model for Chicago.

FY 2009 Funding: $2,287,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: HIGHWAY OPERATIONS

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $7,842,000

Projects

Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions

Objective: Develops information to assist State transportation departments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in measuring and addressing surface transportation congestion problems.

Description: The program will consist of two independent research programs: Improved Transportation Congestion Management System Measures and Analytical Techniques for Action on Surface Transportation Congestion. Further, initiatives to address non-recurring congestion will focus on reducing the time required to restore traffic flow to "normal" conditions following minor traffic incidents and minimizing the impact of work zones on motorist mobility.

Outputs:

The national summary report for the traffic incident management self assessment; activities to foster partnerships and advance the state of the practice; supporting the towing and recovery certification through outreach to law enforcement agencies; develop effective technical guidance and training in traffic control at highway incidents in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Provide guidance materials and tools to decision makers and senior officials who need to be familiar with the value of regional coordination and collaboration to ensure the success of planned special events.
Support the congestion mitigation with a comprehensive work zone tools. The tools assist State DOTs in evaluating their existing work zone management practices and identifying areas for potential improvement; develop guidance on work zone safety; foster using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in work zones.
Provide training on the principles and tools for road weather management by providing transportation decisions makers the basics behind road weather management and the ways that various road weather management strategies can be applied to resolve a host of weather-related problems.
Develop regional frameworks for the integrated deployment of intelligent transportation systems technology; traffic conditions monitoring; computerized traffic control systems; traveler information systems, and public transit information management systems.
Signal timing and ramp metering adjustment with Vehicle Infrastructure Integration data

FY 2009 Funding: $7,842,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: LONG-TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $8,818,000

Projects

Long-Term Pavement Performance

Objective: Provide answers to "how" and "why" pavements perform as they do.

Description: The program will continue to gather and process data describing the structure, service conditions, and performance of more than 2,400 pavement test sections in North America for use by highway engineers in making decisions leading to more cost-effective and better performing pavements.

Outputs:

Database and supporting documentation reflecting the completion of the originally planned 20-year period of monitoring for the LTPP test sections.
Plans for appropriate post-2009 follow-on activities.
Develop and implement LTPP product website

RD&T Partners: Continued collaboration with AASHTO, its member agencies and industry groups to complete the planned 20-year monitoring period and develop plans for appropriate post-2009 follow-on activities. Continue to support the TRB LTPP Committee and its supporting ETGs as a forum for stakeholder input on the conduct of the program.

FY 2009 Funding: $8,818,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $261,000

Projects

International Highway Transportation Outreach Program

Objective: Informs the U.S. highway community of technological innovations in foreign countries and promotes U.S. highway transportation expertise, goods, and services.

Description: The program will help to increase transfers of U.S.-developed highway technologies to foreign countries, as well as leverage best practices and technologies already developed in foreign countries.

Outputs:

International Scanning Program scans, reports and pilot projects, resulting in the adaptation of foreign technologies and best practices for use in the U.S.
Opportunities developed for U.S. private sector companies through technology exchange and technical assistance.
Acquire knowledge on new technology advances and best practices abroad
Promote the U.S. highway transportation industry through technology exchange and technical assistance

RD&T Partners: Partners include American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). International AA Group and DA Advisory Group coordinate FHWA activities, programs, policies and priorities (HEP, HIF, HOP, ITS/JPO, border Divisions, and other Divisions involved internationally). Collaborate with border Divisions on Border Technology Exchange Program (CA, AZ, NM, TX, AK, WA, others). Support for Detroit-Windsor border crossing project (HEP, HIF, MI Division). Support for Scanning Program (depending on particular topics, all Divisions and most HQ offices potentially involved). Support for specific activities in support of Congestion Initiative (HOP). Support for specific activities in support of Safety Goal (Office of Safety).

FY 2009 Funding: $261,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $12,199,000

Projects

Exploratory Advanced Research

Objective: To address mission-oriented technology and knowledge gaps by identifying breakthrough technologies and seeking research and development projects with the potential to make transformational advances in the highway and intermodal transportation systems.

Description: The program is competitive and is intentionally ambitious to address longer-term, higher risk research on a wide-spectrum of topics and objectives. In 2007, Federal Highway Administration issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking research and development projects that could lead to potentially transformational advances in the durability, efficiency, and environmental impact, productivity, and safety aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems. In addition to the BAA, the Exploratory Advanced Research Program initiated a scanning and convening program element to identify fundamental research and breakthrough technologies that could be exploited for possible highway application.

Outputs:

Nuclear system for nondestructive measurement of chlorides in concrete
Guidelines for preventing delayed ettringite formation in concrete
Guidelines for controlling strong chaotic motions in cable-stayed bridges
Identify research to better understand the impacts of transportation on the environment
Explore data acquisition and analysis techniques for improved systems monitoring and operational performance
Explore and develop enabling network and sensor technologies, modeling capabilities, and systems analysis techniques,
Policy research, including economic impact analysis of highway investment and congestion on business logistics costs
Explore innovative financing alternatives for surface transportation

RD&T Partners: Partners for this program are in two categories 1) Program Management Collaboration and 2) Technical Topic Partners.

External partners include:

DOT's University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program

DOT's Climate Change Center

American Association State Highway Transportation Official's Research Advisory Committee (AASHTO/RAC)

Transportation Research Board's Conduct of Research Committee

Transportation Research Board's Research and Technology Coordinating Committee (TRB/RTCC)

World Conference on Transport Research Society

National Science Foundation

Research and Innovation Technology Administration

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)

FY 2009 Funding: $12,199,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: FUTURE STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM-SHRP II

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $44,657,000

Projects

Future Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP II)

Objective: Conduct concentrated, results-oriented applied research focusing on solving the top problems in the area of highway safety, reliability, capacity, and renewal.

Description: The program will be carried out by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences in consultation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The research program shall include an analysis of the following: (A) Renewal of aging highway infrastructure with minimal impact to users of the facilities, (B) Driving behavior and likely crash causal factors to support improved countermeasures. (C) Reducing highway congestion due to nonrecurring congestion, and (D) Planning and designing new road capacity to meet mobility, economic, environmental, and community needs.

Outputs:

Research to develop a consistent, systematic approach to performing highway renewal that is rapid, causes minimum disruption, and produces long-lived facilities.
Research to prevent or reduce the severity of highway crashes through more accurate knowledge of crash factors and of the effectiveness of selected countermeasures in addressing these factors.
Research on methods to provide highway users with reliable travel times by preventing and reducing the impact of nonrecurring incidents.
Research to develop approaches and tools for systematically integrating environmental, economic, and community requirements into the analysis, planning, and design of new highway capacity.
Develop analytic procedures for determining the impacts of reliability improvement strategies
Develop technologies for faster in situ construction
Develop innovative and equitable contracting methodologies
Develop framework for collaborative decision making on additions to highway capacity

RD&T Partners: National Academies, AASHTO

FY 2009 Funding: $44,657,000

RD&T PROGRAM: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM: U.S. DOT PARTNER ADMINISTRATIONS (OST, RITA, FMCSA, NHTSA & PHMSA)

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $31,914,000

Projects

Center for Excellence in Project Finance

Objective: To promote and support strategic national surface transportation programs and activities relating to the work of State DOTs in project finance.

Description: The center will develop and offer training in state-of-the-art financing methods and support State DOTs in the development of project finance plans through an FHWA-funded procurement managed by OST.

Outputs:

Training courses for State DOTs and others in state-of-the-art project finance.
Support to State DOTs in the development of finance plans.

RD&T Partners: OST

FY 2009 Funding: $762,000

National Cooperative Freight Transportation Research Program (NCFRP)

Objective: Awards contracts and grants for research on critical freight transportation issues through an FHWA-funded program administered by the National Research Council.

Description: Among other topics, the program will address techniques for estimating the public benefits of freight transportation projects, approaches for calculating the contribution of truck and rail traffic to congestion, use of technology to increase the capacity of truck-only highway lanes, and freight transportation research needs in all modes. Program is being administered by RITA in cooperation with OST.

Outputs:

Formation and administration of an Oversight Committee from a diverse group of freight stakeholders.
Review of the research needs that are solicited from freight shippers and carriers, industry associations, departments of transportation and other interested entities.
Identification of key freight transportation topical areas.
Evaluating and selecting topics for research under the NCFRP.
Research in critical freight transportation issues to improve planning, operations and infrastructure of freight systems.
Setting project priorities and recommending funding levels.
Evaluating program effectiveness.

RD&T Partners: The National Academies, State DOTs, Freight Industry Associations, and the Private Sector

FY 2009 Funding: $3,268,000

Biobased Transportation Research

Objective: Supports biobased transportation research of national importance at the National Biodiesel Board and at various research centers identified in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Description: This grant will be managed by RITA and funded by the FHWA. As authorized in SAFETEA-LU (P.L. 109-59) Section 5201(m) and delegated by the Secretary, RITA has responsibility for carrying out biobased research of national importance at the National Biodiesel Board and at research centers identified in section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8109).

The Biobased Transportation Research Program will enter its fourth year in FY 2009. Funding in FY 2009 will allow grantees to continue projects funded in FYs 2006-2008. These multi-year projects were selected by DOT through a competitive, peer-reviewed process in FY 2006. RITA manages the research projects, which focus on biobased research, product development and demonstration with an emphasis on transportation applications. The regional research centers include Cornell University, University of Tennessee, South Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University and Oregon State University.

Outputs:

The program will continue engine testing of biofuels for compatibility with new and emerging exhaust after treatment technologies. Preliminary and final results will be published.
The program will continue to finalize and publish a national fuel specification standard for biodiesel blends.
The program will continue focused research projects to improve the energy efficiency of producing biofuels with a particular focus on cellulosic ethanol.

RD&T Partners: Cornell University, University of Tennessee, South Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University and Oregon State University

FY 2009 Funding: $10,892,000

Commercial Remote Sensing Products and Spatial Technologies

Objective: Develops new applications of commercial remote sensing and spatial information technologies for national infrastructure development and construction

Description: This program, which will be managed by RITA and funded by the FHWA, will establish a national policy and implement initiatives for validating application of these technologies in cooperation with consortia of university research centers, industry and State agencies.

Outputs:

New methods for monitoring the quality of infrastructure construction and condition assessment
Application of space based technology tools for freight flow management and congestion mitigation
New and faster methods of collecting data for corridor planning and environmental impact assessment.

RD&T Partners: RITA

FY 2009 Funding: $6,753,000

Technology Transfer Grant

Objective: Support the development and testing of technology solutions that will improve the Nation's transportation system.

Description: The center will conduct research and demonstration projects leading to the exchange of research results with the private sector and universities. This project will be managed by RITA.

Outputs:

Application of advanced computing to one or more complex transportation problems.
Simulations of emergency response scenarios.
Tools for conducting analyses of complex datasets.

RD&T Partners: Interagency Agreement with the Department of Energy for Argonne National Laboratory, University of Illinois and Northern Illinois University, State of Illinois, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Federal Highway Administration.

FY 2009 Funding: $3,485,000

Automobile Accident Injury Research

Objective: Support research and technology to prevent and minimize head, craniofacial, and spinal cord injuries resulting from automobile crashes.

Description: This research will be conducted by the Forsyth Institute under a grant managed by NHTSA and funded by the FHWA.

Outputs:

An understanding of the methods of tissue regeneration in model species such as planaria, frogs, and axolots
Methodology to control cell behavior using biophysical signals
An understanding of the potential for cell and tissue regeneration to minimize the effects of and aid in the healing of injuries resulting from automobile crashes

RD&T Partners: NHTSA

FY 2009 Funding: $436,000

Rural Transportation Research Initiative

Objective: Supports research on rural transportation issues at North Dakota State University's Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.

Description: Research will be carried out through a cost-shared FHWA grant managed by RITA.

Outputs:

Establish a transportation building as a hub for transportation research, education, technology transfer, and outreach at North Dakota State University.
The new transportation building will unite all UGPTI programs, currently housed in fragmented space in three buildings. Planned major functions include: Learning, Research and Technology Transfer.

RD&T Partners: North Dakota State University, North Dakota Department of Transportation, City of Fargo.

FY 2009 Funding: $436,000

Hydrogen-Powered Transportation Research Initiative

Objective: Support a hydrogen-powered transportation research initiative at the University of Montana.

Description: RITA will manage this grant, which is funded through the FHWA's RD&T program.

Outputs:

Hydrogen Safety Training: After working with other agencies and higher education institutions, the program will continue with the collaborative distribution and update of materials and provide hydrogen safety training in the Hydrogen Safety Training Center.
Hydrogen Mobility: This phase of the research of a hydrogen-powered, magnetic levitation monorail system will identify methods to integrate hydrogen distribution and storage for the system, incorporate the switching technology into the guideway system, construct a 100 foot guideway with spur, and hang a vehicle for testing.
Hydrogen Production: This research will continue to work with palladium membrane development by improving the palladium composition, its substrate, researching application techniques, and attach fixtures for production scale testing.
Develop nondestructive testing technologies for advanced hydrogen storage technologies
Conduct materials compatibility research and facilitate the development of statistically validated consensus codes and standards

RD&T Partners: RITA

FY 2009 Funding: $655,000

Cold Region and Rural Transportation Research

Objective: Support the development of a research facility for basic and applied research on surface transportation issues facing rural and cold regions.

Description: RITA will manage an FHWA-funded grant to the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University to establish the facility in Lewiston, Montana.

Outputs:

Phase I: Planning and Initial Project Deployment
Phase II: Design/Building Research Infrastructure and Evaluate Research Projects
Phase III: Ensuring Long Term Sustainability of Lewiston Research Facility.

RD&T Partners: Montana State University, Montana Department of Transportation, Fergus County Port Authority, Washington State Department of Transportation, Idaho Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Transportation.

FY 2009 Funding: $871,000

Advanced Vehicle Technology

Objective: Support research and development of advanced vehicle technology concepts at the University of Kansas Transportation Research Institute.

Description: Research will focus on technologies related to vehicle emissions, fuel cells and catalytic processes, and intelligent transportation systems. This project will be managed by RITA.

Outputs:

Prepare a report of activities conducted under each of the main research areas currently identified in the Transportation Research Institute.
Prepare a descriptive evaluation of the Transportation Research Institute's research framework, and, if new elements are deemed appropriate for further growth of the Institute, prepare a plan that will address the findings contained in the evaluation.
Prepare a description of new research areas that are emerging nationally and internationally, and which should be incorporated into the Transportation Research Institute's endeavors.
Prepare a strategic plan for the implementation, should new research areas be identified.

RD&T Partners: RITA

FY 2009 Funding: $2,178,000

Motor Carrier Efficiency Study

Objective: Identify inefficiencies in freight transportation and evaluate the safety, productivity, and cost reductions that may be achieved through the use of wireless technologies.

Description: The program will first identify freight inefficiencies and evaluate the safety and productivity effectiveness of promising wireless technologies in addressing these inefficiencies. Secondly, the program will demonstrate and test the most effective wireless technologies in the areas of fuel monitoring and management systems, radio frequency identification technology, electronic manifest systems, cargo theft prevention systems, and roadside safety inspection systems. The program will be conducted in coordination with the motor carrier and wireless technology industries. This effort will be managed by FMCSA with a multi-modal USDOT management team consisting of the FHWA (freight and policy offices), OST (freight office), and RITA/BTS.

Outputs:

Freight study report documenting the safety and productivity benefits of wireless technologies at addressing inefficiencies in the surface transportation supply chain.
Results from wireless technology field operational tests

RD&T Partners: FMCSA, OST, RITA/BTS

FY 2009 Funding: $1,089,000

Hazardous Materials Research Projects

Objective: Carry out the nine research projects called for in the 2005 Special Report 283 of the Transportation Research Board entitled, "Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Solutions."

Description: This research will be carried out by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences and will be managed by PHMSA. Specific research will be conducted while testing the concept of a cooperative hazardous materials transportation research program.

Outputs:

Completed research projects in nine areas affecting hazardous materials transportation safety and security as identified in Special Report 283 and as prioritized and further defined by a stakeholder committee established through the TRB.
Basis for determining the viability of a longer-term cooperative hazardous materials transportation research program.

RD&T Partners: National Academies, PHMSA, TRB

FY 2009 Funding: $1,089,000

RD&T PROGRAM: TRAINING AND EDUCATION

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $26,700,000

Projects

National Highway Institute

Objective: Provide leadership and resources for the development and delivery of training and education programs to improve the quality of our highway system and its intermodal connections.

Description: Established in 1970, the NHI will continue to provide training, resource materials, and educational opportunities to the surface transportation community to develop both core competencies and new skills.

Outputs:

Train the current and future transportation workforce
Transfer knowledge quickly and effectively to and among transportation professionals
Address the full life cycle of the highway transportation system
Develop new course offerings to meet changing program requirements

RD&T Partners: In coordination and cooperation with State DOTs, MPO and local governments.

FY 2009 Funding: $9,270,000

Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)

Objective: Foster a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound surface transportation system by improving skills and increasing the knowledge of the transportation workforce and decision makers through training, technology transfer, and information exchange activities.

Description: The program will continue to support 57 LTAP centers serving each State, Puerto Rico, and American Indian tribal government.

Outputs:

Transfer and manage funds to the 58 LTAP and TTAP Centers across the nation
Develop and release specific national training products and tools on behalf of Centers
Develop, implement and continually assess strategic and management planning for Program
Report performance-based data on Program performance annually
Expand course content and program scope to meet customer needs

RD&T Partners: In coordination and cooperation with State DOTs and local governments.

FY 2009 Funding: $10,719,000

Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program

Objective: Attract qualified students to the field of transportation education and research, and advance transportation workforce development to help upgrade the scope of knowledge of the entire transportation community in the United States.

Description: Encompassing all transportation modes, the program will award fellowships based on applicants' academic achievements, recommendations, and likelihood of pursuing a career in transportation

Outputs:

Distribute funds in support of university students continuing with post graduate studies in transportation
Track and monitor progress of grantees in transportation related fields
Increase number of Eisenhower Fellowships

RD&T Partners: In partnership with Academia.

FY 2009 Funding: $2,124,000

Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program

Objective: To prepare the workforce for the 21st century by improving the preparation of students -- particularly women and minorities -- in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Description: The program will award grants to State and local educational agencies for internships, curriculum development, and other activities related to transportation.

Outputs:

Manage grant programs that provide for transportation career awareness and preparation for underrepresented student groups at the elementary and secondary school (K-12) levels.
Enhance coordination throughout the education and transportation communities for career awareness and development

RD&T Partners: Educational school districts.

FY 2009 Funding: $1,207,000

Transportation Education Development Pilot Program

Objective: Train individuals at all educational levels for careers in transportation.

Description: This pilot program will focus on curriculum development for in-service professional development programs.

Outputs:

Manage grant programs that provide for transportation career awareness and preparation
Enhance coordination throughout the education and transportation communities for career awareness and development issues
Develop curriculum to address high-priority transportation workforce development needs

RD&T Partners: Academia/Institutions of Higher Education (e.g., colleges and universities.

FY 2009 Funding: $1,811,000

Freight Planning Capacity Building

Objective: Support research, training, and education in freight planning at the State and local levels.

Description: Among other activities, the program will identify and disseminate best practices in freight planning; provide opportunities for freight transportation staff to engage in peer exchange; refine data and analysis tools used to assess freight transportation needs; and facilitate relationships between governmental and private entities.

Outputs:

Courses and workshops that improve freight professional capacity
Provide information and tools to effectively enforce truck size and weight regulations

RD&T Partners: State and Local Freight Planning and Freight Data Analysis Specialists

FY 2009 Funding: $845,000

Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions Assistance and Training

Objective: Offer technical assistance and training to State and local transportation agencies.

Description: The program will work with agencies to improve their approaches to surface transportation congestion measurement, analysis, and project programming.

Outputs:

Offer technical assistance and training to State and local transportation agencies to improve their approaches to surface transportation congestion measurement, analysis, and project programming.
Advance State, local, and tribal capabilities regarding the complex relationship between surface transportation and the environment.

RD&T Partners: State and Local Transportation Management Organizations

FY 2009 Funding: $724,000

RD&T PROGRAM: INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS)

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $110,000,000

Projects

Objectives and Descriptions of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects are contained in the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) FY 2009 Budget submission. Funding is provided by Title V of SAFETEA-LU.

FY 2009 Funding: $110,000,000

RD&T PROGRAM: UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH (UTC)

AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR FY 2009: $69,700,000

Projects

University Transportation Centers Program

Objective: Provide grants to universities to conduct transportation research on critical transportation issues and to support education activities that will expand the work force of transportation professionals.

Description: The University Transportation Centers Program supports 52 university-based centers that conduct state-of-the-art transportation research, provides for technology transfers, and undertakes education activities that help educate the next generation of transportation professionals. This program is funded under Title V of SAFETEA-LU and is managed by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) through reimbursable agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Outputs:

Basic and applied research, the products of which are judged by peers or other experts in the field of transportation to advance the body of knowledge in transportation.
An education program relating to transportation that includes multidisciplinary course work and participation in research.
An ongoing program of technology transfer that makes transportation research results available to potential users in a form that can be implemented, utilized, or otherwise applied.

FY 2009 Funding: $69,700,000

EXHIBIT V-3

Federal Highway Administration
Support for Secretarial and Administration RD&T Priorities

Policy Initiative	Supporting RD&T Programs	FY 2009 Request ($000)
Safety Secretarial Priority	Safety Research and Innovation Deployment Program: Demonstrate the application of innovative technologies in highway safety and support the deployment and evaluation of safety technologies and innovations at the state and local levels. In this research area, efforts will include the deployment of best practices in safety training and management.	$11,110
	Center for Surface Transportation Safety: Develops and disseminates advanced transportation safety techniques and innovations in both rural areas and urban communities. The center will use a controlled access highway with state-of-the-art features to test safety devices and techniques that enhance driver performance, to examine advanced pavement and lighting systems, and to develop techniques to address older driver and fatigue issues.	$654
	Center for Excellence in Rural Safety: Provides research, training, and outreach on innovative uses of technology to enhance rural safety and economic development, assess local community needs, and improve access to mobile emergency treatment. Among other activities, the program will address the online and seminar training needs of rural transportation practitioners and policy makers.	$761
	Transportation Injury Research: Supports the Center for Transportation Injury Research at the Calspan University of Buffalo, New York. This Center will perform interdisciplinary, systems-oriented research to reduce the occurrence, severity, and consequences of crash-related injuries.	$1,089
	Strategic Highway Research Program II: Conducts concentrated, results-oriented applied research focusing on solving the top problems in the area of highway safety, reliability, capacity, and renewal. Research in this area will focus on preventing or reducing the severity of highway crashes by understanding how drivers interact with the vehicle, traffic environment, roadway characteristics, traffic control devices, and the environment and assessing the changes in collision risk associated with each of these factors and interactions.	$17,863
	Automobile Accident Injury Research: Support research and technology to prevent and minimize head, craniofacial, and spinal cord injuries resulting from automobile crashes. This research will be conducted by the Forsyth Institute under a grant managed by NHTSA and funded by the FHWA.	$436
	Hazardous Materials Research Projects: Carry out the nine research projects called for in the 2005 Special Report 283 of the Transportation Research Board entitled, "Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Solutions." This research will be carried out by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences and will be managed by PHMSA. Specific research will be conducted while testing the concept of a cooperative hazardous materials transportation research program.	$1,089
	The Office of Planning, Environment and Realty supports safety transportation planning research through the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program.	$100
	Motor Carrier Efficiency Study: Identify inefficiencies in freight transportation and evaluate the safety, productivity, and cost reductions that may be achieved through the use of wireless technologies. The program will first identify freight inefficiencies and evaluate the safety and productivity effectiveness of promising wireless technologies in addressing these inefficiencies. Secondly, the program will demonstrate and test the most effective wireless technologies in the areas of fuel monitoring and management systems, radio frequency identification technology, electronic manifest systems, cargo theft prevention systems, and roadside safety inspection systems. The program will be conducted in coordination with the motor carrier and wireless technology industries. This effort will be managed by FMCSA with a multi-modal USDOT management team consisting of the FHWA (freight and policy offices), OST (freight office), and RITA/BTS.	$218
	Supporting Training and Education Program: Provide leadership and resources for the development and delivery of training and education programs to improve safety of our highway system and its intermodal connections. (National Highway Institute- $1M; Local Technical Assistance Program- $7M.	$8,000
System Performance and Reliability Secretarial Priority	Strategic Highway Research Program II: Conducts concentrated, results-oriented applied research focusing on solving the top problems in the area of highway safety, reliability, capacity, and renewal. Research in this area will focus on identifying and developing strategies to mitigate congestion caused by major sources of unreliable travel, such as traffic incidents, work zones, and adverse weather.	$3,750
	The FHWA Office of Operations (HOP) is conducting the Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions Research Initiative to develop information to assist State transportation departments and metropolitan planning organizations measure and address surface transportation congestion problems.	$7,842
	Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions Technical Assistance and Training Program disseminates the results of the surface transportation congestion relief solutions research initiative for the purpose of assisting State transportation departments and local transportation agencies with improving their approaches to surface transportation congestion measurement, analysis, and project programming.	$720
	The FHWA Office of Planning, Environment and Realty (HEP) supports research to reduce congestion via the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program.	$650
	HEP conducts research to develop, improve and deploy analytical methods which respond to the system reliability and performance needs of planning and environmental decision making processes.	$250
	HEP supports U.S./Mexico working committee activities and research related to freight and port capacity.	$450
	Steel Bridge Testing: Improve the capability for identifying fatigue cracking in steel bridges using nondestructive evaluation and testing technology (NDE/NDT). Program activities will focus on the development or improvement of nondestructive testing technologies that are able to detect fatigue and other cracks in steel bridges and other structures, and to effectively demonstrate and deploy these technologies in the field.	$1,089
	Long-Term Bridge Performance: Provide quality data on the performance of in-service highway bridges regularly inspected and monitored over a period of 20 years. Highway agencies will use this data to make informed decisions on all aspects of bridge design and construction of bridges, and in making asset management decisions regarding maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation in order to meet future needs.	$6,753
	Seismic Research: Study the vulnerability and improve the resiliency of the Nation's bridges and highways to earthquakes. The program will develop and implement cost-effective methods to reduce vulnerabilities and economic loss through the conduct of seismic research and technology deployment, education, and training. Upgrades will be made to earthquake simulation facilities, as necessary, to carry out the program.	$2,178
	Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment: Promote, demonstrate, evaluate, and document the application of innovative designs, materials, and construction methods in the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures. Program activities will include research, deployment, and education in support of innovative approaches and technologies that will significantly improve design methodologies, accelerate and improve the quality of construction, and result in higher levels of durability and resilience for highway structures. In addition, the program will have a major component focused on extending high-performance concrete bridge technology.	$5,707
	Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program (IPRD): The technologies, specifications and test methods and practice developed, demonstrated, promoted and supported through the IPRD will contributed to improved system performance and reliability by improving the performance and longevity of highway pavements.	$11,715
	The FHWA Office of Operations R&D coordinates and supports the development of standards and prototype equipment for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) at 5.9 GHz radio frequency.	All funds provided by the ITS program
	The FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations (HOFM) supports five of six initiatives contained in the Secretary's National Freight Action Agenda.Initiative 1: Facilitate the development and planning of major freight projects. HOFM provides the FHWA's representation on the Departmental multi-modal facilitation team that supports the Port of L.A./L.B. Gateway Project, and provides active staff support to the Chicago Region Environmental & Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program.Initiative 2: Promote intelligent transportation technologies to improve freight transportation. HOFM manages the Universal Electronic Freight Management (EFM) ITS initiative and is the FHWA linkage for Secretary's freight agenda to the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration ITS initiative that is evaluating the enabling technology of 5.9GHz.Initiative 4: Enhance the DOT's Freight Professional Capacity Building Program. HOFM's well-established program – the Freight Professional Development (FPD) program – is being used as a model for, and will be woven into, OST's efforts to establish a multi-modal freight professional capacity building program that will span all Departmental modes.Initiative 5: Improve the timeliness and quality of freight data. HOFM manages the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF), an integrated database that enables analysis of freight flows across the transportation network, and is involved in the freight data working group, chaired by RITA, to coordinate Departmental activity in pursuit of improved freight data.Initiative 6: Accelerate development of short sea shipping. HOFM provides substantial data and policy analysis to MARAD in support of the Short Sea Shipping initiative.HOFM is actively engaged in partnering with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the Electronic Freight Manifest (EFM) ITS initiative. This effort is designed to ensure that the electronic transfer of information relative to freight movement, that the EFM seeks to demonstrate, is compatible with and supportive of private sector needs as well as governmental regulatory requirements. HOFM was also partnering with U.S. Army COE, USDA, and FRA through the Transportation Research Board in the scoping, development, and promotion of a national conference which was held in September 2006 to improve freight modeling for public transportation decision making. This effort also supports the Secretarial priority of Freight and Port Capacity by enabling better modeling and forecasting freight flows based on current available data.
21st Century Solutions for 21st Century Transportation Problems Secretarial Priority	Exploratory Advanced Research: Addresses longer-term, higher-risk research with potentially dramatic breakthroughs for improving the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety (including bicycle and pedestrian safety) aspects of highway and intermodal transportation systems. The program will focus on obtaining information from the very large number of basic and advanced research and development resources and activities outside of the highway R&D community for possible exploitation, adaptation and eventual application to the highway industry.	$12,199
	The FHWA Office of Planning, Environment and Realty supports the national highway planning network; GIS and spatial data technologies research and technical assistance.	$350
	High-Performing Steel Bridge: Demonstrate the application of high-performing steel in the construction and rehabilitation of bridges. Program activities will include research, deployment, and education in support of innovative approaches and technologies that will significantly improve design methodologies, accelerate and improve the quality of construction, and result in higher levels of durability and resilience for steel highway bridges.	$3,573
	Ultra-high-performance Concrete Demonstrations: Demonstrate the use of a steel-fiber-reinforced reactive powder concrete (known as Ultra-High Performance Concrete – UHPC) which has significantly improved strength, durability, and corrosion resistance characteristics over that of concrete used in typical bridge and structural applications. This work will result in improved material characterization and recommendations regarding the efficient use of this high performance, but expensive, structural material in appropriate bridge applications. The research is likely to drive important new innovations in bridge design and construction practices.	$545
	Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment: Promote, demonstrate, evaluate, and document the application of innovative designs, materials, and construction methods in the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures. Program activities will include research, deployment, and education in support of innovative approaches and technologies that will significantly improve design methodologies, accelerate and improve the quality of construction, and result in higher levels of durability and resilience for highway structures. In addition, the program will have a major component focused on extending high-performance concrete bridge technology.	$5,708
	Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment Program (IPRD): The research elements of the IPRD will pursue advanced and innovative technologies to address 21st century challenges.	$8,000
	Nanoscale research looking at selected components of asphalt is being conducted under the Fundamental Properties of Asphalts and Modified Asphalts research by the Western Research Institute.	$750
	The Office of Asset Management (HIAM) will continue to emphasize improving the condition of the Nation's highways and managing the system more efficiently through the greater use of operational technologies and Asset Management principals.	$500
	HIAM will develop, promote and deploy new technologies to improve implementation of Asset Management and System Preservation principles and practices.	$1,500
	HIAM will develop tools and undertake studies which address the management and monitoring of the transportation system, engineering and economic analysis, system preservation, and enhanced construction and maintenance quality and management.	$300
	HIAM will undertake activities to develop and promote the systematic approaches to the management of highway assets.	$300
	Commercial Remote Sensing Products and Spatial Technologies: Develops new applications of commercial remote sensing and spatial information technologies for national infrastructure development and construction. This program, which will be managed by RITA and funded by the FHWA, will establish a national policy and implement initiatives for validating application of these technologies in cooperation with consortia of university research centers, industry and state agencies.	$6,753
	Center for Excellence in Project Finance: To promote and support strategic national surface transportation programs and activities relating to the work of state DOTs in project finance. The center will develop and offer training in state-of-the-art financing methods and support state DOTs in the development of project finance plans through an FHWA-funded procurement managed by OST.	$762
	Motor Carrier Efficiency Study: Identify inefficiencies in freight transportation and evaluate the safety, productivity, and cost reductions that may be achieved through the use of wireless technologies. The program will first identify freight inefficiencies and evaluate the safety and productivity effectiveness of promising wireless technologies in addressing these inefficiencies. Secondly, the program will demonstrate and test the most effective wireless technologies in the areas of fuel monitoring and management systems, radio frequency identification technology, electronic manifest systems, cargo theft prevention systems, and roadside safety inspection systems. The program will be conducted in coordination with the motor carrier and wireless technology industries. This effort will be managed by FMCSA with a multi-modal USDOT management team consisting of the FHWA (freight and policy offices), OST (freight office), and RITA/BTS.	$871
Alternative Energy Sources	The Hydrogen-Powered Transportation Research Initiative is being carried out in cooperation with RITA and the University of Montana.	$655
	Advanced Vehicle Technology Research on vehicle emissions, fuel cells and catalytic processes, and intelligent transportation systems is being carried out in cooperation with RITA and the University of Kansas Transportation Research Institute.	$2,178
	Biobased Transportation Research: Supports biobased transportation research of national importance at the National Biodiesel Board and at various research centers identified in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. This grant will be managed by RITA and funded by the FHWA.	$10,892
	Hydrogen Storage Research is being carried out at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware.	$400 (Title I funds)
	Research is being conducted at the Rochester Institute of Technology Alternative Fuels and Life-Cycle Engineering.	$800 (Title I funds)

EXHIBIT V-4

Federal Highway Administration
Implementation of the R&D Investment Criteria

R&D Investment Criteria	How Applied	Actions Reflected in FY 2009 Request
Relevance	Research program is mission oriented and supports the FHWA and DOT strategic and organizational goals Stakeholders are engaged throughout the R&T process, including agenda-setting and planning Stakeholders are engaged in agenda-setting and planning through the TRB Research and Technology Coordinating Committee (RTCC), and other groups formed for specific designated programs Stakeholders are engaged in development of multi-year program plans, which are revisited annually External experts ensure program relevance throughout the research process Stakeholders are engaged in technology transfer and innovation deployment activities The program employs a number of mechanisms for customer feedback, including surveys and focus groups	R&T activities support FHWA and DOT goals, and the Secretary' s priorities of safety, system performance and 21st Century Solutions. Exploratory Advanced Research Program is focused on longer term and higher risk breakthrough research with the potential for dramatic long term improvements to plan, build, renew and operate safe, congestion-free, and environmentally sound transportation systems. Composition and management of the R&T program, including advanced research, reflect advice of the RTCC Budget request is based on multi-year program plans tied to the strategic goals, which were updated in 2007 with stakeholder input
Quality	Investment decisions are based on competition and merit review whenever possible External experts are frequently consulted during the design and conduct of research Merit reviews of results are conducted as a matter of routine Influential scientific information is peer reviewed prior to dissemination An assessment program of FHWA' s 26 laboratories provides independent expert evaluation of research conduct, process, and quality standards.	Lab assessments scheduled for FY 2009 include: the Structures Lab, Photometric and Visibility Lab, and Concrete Labs. Influential scientific information is peer reviewed prior to dissemination
Performance	Stakeholders are involved in reviewing performance retrospectively Efficiency measures (cost and timeliness) link resources consumed and results achieved Program results are linked to the FHWA and DOT performance plans Performance is documented in an annual report	Multi-year program plans or roadmaps have been adjusted to reflect past performance and progress towards the goals

Discussion

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conducts research in areas where a unique Federal role has been established, using four criteria that are included in a "Statement of Principles" in the SAFETEA-LU—that is, when:

the work is of national significance;
there is a clear public benefit and private sector investment is less than optimal;
it supports a Federal stewardship role in assuring that state and local governments use national resources efficiently; or
it presents the best means to support Federal policy goals compared to other policy alternatives.

The FHWA research program includes advanced and fundamental, long-term highway research; research aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion; research aimed at improving the highway infrastructure and reducing lifecycle costs; research aimed at significant highway research gaps and emerging issues with national implications; and research related to policy, planning, and environment. The FHWA also facilitates sharing of research results and promotes technology transfer and innovation.

The FHWA focuses its program on where it can add value or leverage resources by collaborating and coordinating with other programs.

FHWA's Corporate Master Plan for Research and Deployment of Technology and Innovation guides the R&T Program. The Plan outlines a strategy and a Federal role for investing in and conducting research on behalf of FHWA partners and stakeholders. It incorporates three elements considered to be essential by other well-established Federal R&T programs:

Involving stakeholders throughout the process.
Employing merit reviews.
Evaluating research and deployment on an ongoing basis.

RD&T Program Reviews, at which modal administrations discuss their R&T programs and priorities, are held at the DOT level by the RD&T Program Review Working Group, chaired by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The RD&T Program Review Group reports to the RD&T Planning Team, which includes the Associate Administrators for RD&T in the operating administrations, and the RD&T Planning Council, which is chaired by the RITA Administrator and comprises the heads of the operating administrations, the Under Secretary for Policy, and other senior DOT leaders. At these reviews, modal administrations show how they are implementing the Department's RD&T Strategic Plan, and applying the Office of Management and Budget's research and development investment criteria. The reviews also encourage collaboration and help prevent unnecessary duplication of effort across modes.

In FY 2007 the focus of the annual reviews was on RD&T evaluation practices. The objective was to document evaluation practices, along with evidence of implementation, as part of the Department's response to the findings of GAO-06-917 report on Opportunities for Improving the Oversight of DOT's Research Programs and User Satisfaction with Transportation Statistics. The FHWA's program was reviewed in February 2007.

Relevance

In the context of the OMB Criteria for Federal Investment in Research, "relevance" means both relevance to the mission of the agency and relevance to the users of the research.

FHWA's R&T program supports the mission of the agency to improve mobility on our nation's highways through national leadership, innovation, and program delivery. It contributes to achievement of the Department's and agency's six strategic and organizational goals: safety; reduced congestion; global connectivity; environmental stewardship; security, preparedness and response, and organizational excellence.

The R&T program is stakeholder driven. Stakeholders are engaged throughout the entire R&T process through agenda setting and planning, the conduct of research, technology and innovation deployment, implementation, and customer feedback. Specifically, stakeholders are engaged in agenda setting and planning through the Transportation Research Board's (TRB's) Research & Technology Coordinating Committee (RTCC), and other groups formed to provide advice on specific designated programs. For example, the TRB Pavement Technology Committee provides advice on R&T in the areas of concrete pavements, asphalt pavements, and pavement materials.

Stakeholders provide input to multi-year program plans, or roadmaps, that support FHWA goals and guide the work of the R&T program. These plans are revisited annually, to determine whether adjustments are needed. FHWA's R&T budget requests are based on the multi-year program plans, which include annual and long-term performance goals, tied to the Department's and agency's strategic goals.

In addition, external experts ensure program relevance throughout the research process itself. Once research is completed, stakeholders are engaged in a wide variety of technology transfer and innovation deployment activities. Following deployment and implementation, surveys and focus groups are among the activities employed to gain feedback from the users of R&D products.

In response to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) recommendation, FHWA requires the recipients of earmarked funds to demonstrate how projects and intended results support FHWA and DOT goals. To do this, FHWA has developed standardized language that is used in contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with earmark recipients. This helps to align resources with the goals and hold contractors accountable for progress towards the goals.

Throughout the research process, FHWA is committed to ensuring that national needs and agency goals and priorities are met.

Quality

FHWA employs a number of mechanisms to ensure high quality in its research program.

Awarding Contracts Competitively. To the greatest extent possible, R&T investment decisions are based on the well-established principles of competition and merit review. Most FHWA awards, unless directed otherwise by the Congress in Appropriations or Authorization language, are competitive. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) generally include language describing the relationship between the research project and the agency's long-term strategic goals. Each RFP includes a specific set of criteria, known by all applicants in advance, that their proposal must address to successfully receive an award. Multi-person panels with experience related to the field under consideration, or related applications evaluate the proposals. The firm or applicant that most effectively responds to the solicitation's technical requirements, as evaluated using the criteria provided, then receives a cost evaluation. If the cost evaluation supports it, the firm is then considered for the actual award.

Even in those cases where the recipient is designated it is not unusual for panels of independent experts to help guide the design and conduct of the research and evaluate the quality of the final product, as an alternative process for ensuring quality.

Merit reviews of research results and publications are conducted as a matter of routine, and all influential scientific information that is disseminated by the FHWA is peer reviewed prior to publication.

Independent groups conduct periodic evaluations of the FHWA's R&T program and help ensure quality. These include:

Research & Technology Coordinating Committee (RTCC): The Transportation Research Board's RTCC was convened in 1991 and provides periodic independent advice on the overall structure and quality of the FHWA's R&T Program. This advice takes the form of letter reports to the Administrator and TRB Special Reports. RTCC membership includes top-level administrators, researchers, and practitioners from state governments, academia, and industry. The RTCC is scheduled to meet twice in FY 2009 and issue a letter report to FHWA documenting its findings and recommendations. The RTCC also plans to issue a special report evaluating the research programs authorized by SAFETEA-LU in terms of the Basic Principles Governing Research and Technology Investments, contained in Section 5201 of SAFETEA-LU.

Lab Assessments: The FHWA has initiated a lab assessment process for the periodic and routine assessment of laboratory research and programs at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center by independent panels of experts. The process was modeled after the National Academies' review process for the National Institute for Standards and Technology and the Army Research Labs. The objective of the assessments is to provide independent feedback to laboratory managers, FHWA leadership, and partners to improve the relevance, quality and performance of laboratory research and services. Three or four lab assessments are conducted each year, and each lab is reviewed once every four years. These independent reviews by external experts help FHWA to monitor whether the research program is on track toward providing an appropriate knowledge base for achieving agency goals. The reviews focus on enhancing the quality of work performed in the labs (quality) but also address whether the work supports the goals of the agency and meets customer needs (relevance) and include a retrospective review of past performance (performance).

Among the issues related to quality that the lab assessment panels are asked to review are whether:

Research maximizes quality through the use of clearly stated defensible methods for awarding contracts, and Federal managers and contractors are held accountable for cost, schedule, and performance results.
Quality assessment of the research is conducted through comparative methods such as best practices identification, expert/peer reviews, and benchmarking.
In addition to FHWA reports, research is reported in publications that are peer reviewed.
Methods are in place for maintaining the expertise of research personnel and the capabilities of laboratory facilities.
Quality guidelines for statistical information are based on structured planning and sound statistical methods.
Research demonstrates objectivity in presentation and substance, and integrity, (i.e., protecting information from unauthorized access, corruption, or revision).

As a specific example of a quality issue identified and addressed as a result of a lab assessment, the March 2004 assessment of the asphalt labs identified concerns about the treatment of data, noting that "Data are handled very differently in the different labs". Since then we have developed a PC-based "laboratory information management system" (LIMS) that standardizes how data are managed and allows data to be shared across various labs. In response to the panel's observation that "There are standards for collecting, storing, and analyzing data, etc. These need to be documented," we developed a written procedures manual specifying standard procedures and methods of recording/storing data, in conjunction with LIMS implementation.

Other observations and recommendations of past panels have related to maintaining the expertise of research personnel in light of declining training and travel budgets, retirements and contractor turn-over.

Lab assessments scheduled for FY 2009 include: the Structures Lab, the Photometric and Visibility Labs, and the Concrete Labs.

The lab assessment is not really complete until the agency considers and addresses the panel's recommendations. Within a month following each review, the lab manager develops a matrix of actions to address the panel's recommendations. Progress is reviewed by FHWA management every six months. This follow-up process allows the lab to implement improvements in a deliberate and measurable way during the four-year period between assessments.

Performance

Just as "relevance" means both relevance to the customer and relevance to the mission and goals of the agency, FHWA looks at performance both in terms of customer satisfaction and in terms of progress towards the goals.

Customer Feedback: The FHWA measures and tracks progress in deploying market-ready technologies and innovations that improve highway safety, reduce congestion, and streamline the environmental process. In addition, FHWA utilizes a variety of mechanisms for customer feedback related to R&T. Outreach efforts such as customer and product surveys, web-based feedback loops, listening sessions, focus groups, lab assessments, and the RTCC are used to gain feedback and information from customer and partner groups.

A nationwide Partner Satisfaction Survey was conducted in August 2006. It covered State DOTs, MPOs and local governments, and major transportation organizations, such as AASHTO. It will be repeated in FY 2009 based on a 3-year cycle. This single survey approach differs from the first partner satisfaction survey of FHWA State partners that was conducted in four waves during 2003 and 2004. The Partner Satisfaction Survey measures what FHWA's partners' value in how we deliver the federal-aid program. It focuses on program delivery, technical assistance, technology and innovation deployment, and national policy leadership. The survey will help FHWA identify areas for improvement, and areas where they are "on target."

Goal Indicators: Because R&T are seen as tools for achieving the Department and agency's strategic goals, the overall performance measures for R&T are the goal indicators (highway related fatalities, pavement condition, etc.) Changes in goal indicators help FHWA determine whether its R&T activities are focusing on the "right things". In addition, research managers track outputs, cost and timeliness (efficiency measures). The efficiency measures link resources consumed and results achieved. These measures also enable FHWA to determine whether the R&T program is meeting the annual milestones in the multi-year program plans and making progress toward long-term goals, and consequently, whether funding should be enhanced or redirected.

RD&T Annual Performance Report: The FHWA RD&T 2006/2007 Performance Plan and the FY 2006 Research Project Status Summary are published and available on line at www.tfhrc.gov. The Research Project Status Summary documents FHWA's performance retrospectively against outputs previously defined and published in the 2006/2007 Performance Plan. Through the mechanism of these two reports, FHWA's RD&T Program holds itself publicly accountable for its work and the delivery of research products.

Budget Estimates Fiscal Year 2009
Section V: Research, Development and Technology	Table of Contents \| Previous

Federal Highway Administration Research, Development, Technology, & Education, and ITS Overview

Budget Request for FY 2009

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, & EDUCATION (RDT&E)

INFRASTRUCTURE

PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT, AND REAL ESTATE RESEARCH

OPERATIONS

HIGHWAY SAFETY

POLICY

EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH

FUTURE STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM—SHRP II

U.S. DOT PARTNER ADMINISTRATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS)

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH

BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS (BTS)

EXHIBIT V-1.a

EXHIBIT V-1.b

EXHIBIT V-2

EXHIBIT V-3

Federal Highway Administration Support for Secretarial and Administration RD&T Priorities

EXHIBIT V-4

Federal Highway Administration Implementation of the R&D Investment Criteria

Performance

Federal Highway Administration
Research, Development, Technology, & Education, and ITS Overview

Federal Highway Administration
Support for Secretarial and Administration RD&T Priorities

Federal Highway Administration
Implementation of the R&D Investment Criteria