FHWA Research And Technology Evaluation: Gusset Plates Final Report

Appendix A The FHWA Infrastructure Program

FHWA’s infrastructure research supports safety and environmental sustainability while modernizing bridges and roads through better materials, new construction techniques, and consistent quality control. Infrastructure research explores emerging technologies that will improve the safety and reliability, structural integrity, and longevity of the Nation's bridges and roadways.

A.1 Office of Infrastructure Research and Development

Based at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC), the FHWA Office of Infrastructure Research and Development (R&D) conducts and oversees research and development programs and projects that address critical highway infrastructure needs and priorities of national importance. Six teams perform Infrastructure R&D work, including Pavement Materials; Pavement Design and Construction; Long-Term Pavement Performance; Bridge and Foundation Engineering; Infrastructure Management Team; and Hazard Materials and Special Mitigation. FHWA Office of Infrastructure R&D specifically focuses research on the design, materials, construction, operation, and preservation of highway pavements, bridges, culverts, tunnels, and other structures.⁽¹²⁾ As laid out in the FHWA R&T Agenda, the FHWA Office of Infrastructure strategic approach to innovation is described in its six objectives:

• Objective 1: Improve the security of highway infrastructure and reduce the number of fatalities attributable to infrastructure design characteristics and work zones.
  
  
• Objective 2: Improve the management of infrastructure assets and advance the implementation of a performance-based program for the National Highway System.
  
  
• Objective 3: Improve the ability of transportation agencies to deliver projects that meet expectations for timeliness, quality, and cost.
  
  
• Objective 4: Reduce user delay attributable to infrastructure system performance, maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction.
  
  
• Objective 5: Improve highway condition and performance through increased use of design, materials, construction, and maintenance innovations.
  
  
• Objective 6: Reduce the life-cycle environmental impacts of highway infrastructure (design, construction, operation, and maintenance).⁽³⁾

A.2 FHWA Office of Infrastructure

The FHWA Office of Infrastructure provides leadership, technical expertise, and program assistance in the areas of Asset Management, Pavements and Construction, Bridges and Structures, Program Administration, and Transportation Performance Management. By collaborating with FHWA R&D, the Office of Infrastructure produces policies and guidance documents, develops and administers training and technology transfers, and provides technical support for State and local transportation agencies.

A.3 Resource Center

The Resource Center helps FHWA advance its strategic goals by providing support in a variety of ways:⁽¹³⁾

• Training and technical assistance to FHWA Division Offices and their State partners.
• Helping FHWA Headquarters disseminate new policies, technologies, and techniques.
• Leading deployment of cutting-edge, market-ready technologies.

Resource Center Technical Service Teams, such as the Structures Team and the Pavement and Materials Team, provide the above services for infrastructure-related topics.