PURPOSE. To issue revised pages to the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) section of the U.S. Department of Transportation Organization Manual.

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES.This change primarily reflects the organizational decision to enhance effectiveness and efficiency concerning Agency communications and operations by establishing two new offices within the Office of Public Affairs (HPA). A fourth Director of Field Services (DFS) position has been established—DFS Mid-America—to effectively address the changing program requirements and State and industry demands. We are also documenting information concerning the DFSs' responsibility for overseeing the Program Management Improvement Team (PMIT), including the Team's mission. Additionally, minor changes within the Office of the Federal Highway Administrator's section and the organization chart are also reflected, including establishing consistency in documenting the office and position titles on the chart. Also, the functions of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) have been transferred to the newly formed Office ofthe Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. Further, any references to the previously eliminated Office of Professional and Corporate Development are being officially removed from the DOT Organization Manual at this time. Finally, the Departmental Overview section has been removed. This section provided historical information that invariably became dated. Specific changes in the FHWA section of the DOT Organization Manual include the following:

1. The HPA will now have greater responsibility for external communications, to specifically include FHWA information on the Internet. Two new entities within HPA are created: the Office of Media Relations and the Office of Public Communications.

2. The DFS Mid-America position has been established to ensure a consistent corporate approach in meeting changing program requirements and State and industry demands in the management of our field resources.

3. Information is included to document the DFSs' responsibility to oversee the PMIT.

4. The Office of Professional and Corporate Development information is officially removed from the organization manual.

5. The functions of RITA have been transferred to the newly formed Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. RITA no longer exists as a DOT Operating Administration. The Intelligent Transportation Systems/Joint Program Office (ITS/JPO) will continue to be organizationally located within FHWA. The Assistant Secretary for Research and Teclmology has primary responsibility for the strategic oversight and direction of the ITS/JPO.

6. To address dated historical information, the Departmental Overview section has been removed.

7. The FHWA and HPA organization charts are revised to reflect these changes.