Exploratory Advanced Research Program

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Appendix A. About the EAR Program

FHWA’s EAR Program is intended to spur innovation and focus on higher risk and higher pay-off research. Exploratory Advanced Research bridges basic and applied research. In contrast to basic research, EAR Program-funded research projects have a mission orientation. In contrast to applied research, EAR Program-funded research does not pursue a narrowly defined application or product. Incremental advances and demonstrations or evaluations of existing technologies are not within the scope of this program.

The EAR Program seeks to fund research projects that could lead to transformational changes and truly revolutionary advances in highway engineering and intermodal surface transportation in the United States. It supports scientific investigations and studies to advance the current knowledge and state-of-the-art in the sciences and technologies employed in the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and management of the Nation’s highways. Strategically, this research will enable and expedite the development of revolutionary approaches, methodologies, and breakthroughs required to drive innovation and greatly improve the efficiency of highway transportation.