The Federal Highway Administration is an agency within the larger United States Department of Transportation (US DOT). The agency was established in 1966. Before its establishment, the roles that are currently performed by the agency were performed by other agencies like the Bureau of the Public Roads. These roles were transferred to the agency a year after it was established. Roles The agency performs different functions that are related to ensuring quality services for the highway users. This will range from the design of national and interstate highways to providing guidelines on the appropriate use of highway facilities. Thus, the first role of the agency is to manage the funds that are to be used in the construction and maintenance of the national highways. These funds are collected at the federal level and then channeled back to the projects at the state levels. The agency coordinates with the local governments in allocating funds to these projects. It ensures that the federal standards are applied in the administration of the funds at these state levels. The funds have to be used effectively to ensure that the highways are constructed according to the federal standards. Through the Office of the Federal Lands Highway, the agency oversees the design and construction of highways that provide access to federal lands. The FHWA entered into a partnership with the US Forest Service in 1914 and twelve years later, it extended to the National Park Service (Federal Lands Highway, 2011, para.1). The agency provides these transportation-engineering services in all the states in the US. The agency also works in conjunction with the US Dot and the local counties in preparing an environmental impact statement for proposed road construction projects in the regions (Federal Register, 2008, p.11459). The agency studies and evaluates the alternatives to given projects like taking a different route or doing no action at all. FHWA is also concerned with the safety measures for the highway users. The agency conducts researches on the road safety procedures that are appropriate to be applied by the users. It provides the guidelines in its regular publication the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a publication that has been administered since 1971 (FHWA, 2011, para.2). It also researches on the appropriate materials and procedures that are fit for use in the construction of the highways. Reasons for developments in the agency The agency has seen significant developments since its inception. These developments can be attributed to the good organizational system that is committed to attaining the mission of the organization. The organization is out to improve on the conditions of the national highways through good leadership, encouraging invention, and innovation, and through effective program delivery (Federal Highway Administration, 2011, para.1) The organization observes certain core values that allow for the accomplishment of the mission. It is committed to providing quality and timely services to the public (Federal Highway Administration, 2011, para.2). It gives value to the interest of the public in giving its services. The organization also has respect for the diversity that may exist among its employees. It acknowledges the fact that the employees have different strengths, skills, or expertise and are from diverse cultures. The organization values and encourages personal developme