A brief overview of laboratories at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center 

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Research that is essential, 

indispensable, and 

connected to our customers.

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Turner-Fairbank 

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Table of Contents

Introduction ..............................................................................1

Aerodynamics Laboratory.............................................................2

Arens Photometric and Visibility Laboratory ......................................3

Asphalt: Binder Rheology Laboratory..............................................4

Asphalt: Bituminous Mixtures Laboratory..........................................5

Asphalt: Pavement Testing Facility ..................................................6

Asphalt: Simulation, Imaging, and Mechanics of Asphalt 

Pavements Laboratory ............................................................7

Bridge Management Information Systems Laboratory.........................8

Chemistry Research Facility ..........................................................9

Coatings and Corrosion Laboratory .............................................10

Concrete Laboratories ...............................................................11

Digital Highway Measurement System..........................................12

Federal Outdoor Impact Laboratory..............................................13

FHWA/NHTSA National Crash Analysis Center............................14

Geometric Design Laboratory .....................................................16

Geotechnical Laboratory............................................................17

Highway Safety Information System Laboratory ..............................18

Human Centered Systems Laboratory ...........................................19

Intelligent Intersection Traffic Control Laboratory ..............................20

J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Laboratory ..........................................21

Nondestructive Evaluation Center ................................................22

Saxton Highway Electronics Laboratory ........................................23

Structures Laboratory .................................................................24

Traffic Research Laboratory.........................................................25
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Introduction 

As the research facility for the Federal Highway Administration, the Turner-Fairbank Highway 

Research Center (TFHRC) coordinates an ambitious program of innovative research and 

development, and technology and innovation deployment that addresses the safety, infrastructure, 

and operational needs of the National Highway System. 

These Lab Clips provide a brief overview of individual TFHRC laboratories, their current activities, 

and laboratory managers. Laboratory fact sheets, available separately, describe each facility 

in more technical detail and include information such as research purpose, resources, current 

projects, accomplishments, and partnerships. 

For the most up-to-date information about our research, please visit the TFHRC Web site at 

www.tfhrc.gov. To schedule an onsite tour of our laboratories, e-mail us at TFHRC.tours@fhwa.

dot.gov.
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Aerodynamics 

Laboratory

The Aerodynamics Laboratory is the only wind tunnel facility in the United States dedicated 

solely to studying the complex interactions between wind and bridges or other highway 

structures. This laboratory explores wind effects and aerodynamics to ensure the performance 

and safety of long-span bridges in strong winds and to advance our understanding of wind 

effects on transportation structures. The laboratory recently completed a study that aids in 

understanding and retrofitting stay cables on bridges to mitigate wind-induced vibrations.

Keywords: 

Aerodynamic stability, long-span bridges, transportation structures, wind effects, vibrations, 

fluid mechanics, numerical modeling, structural analysis. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Harold Bosch, harold.bosch@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3031 

Activities: 

» Conducting wind force measurements on tapered hexagonal cylinders. 

» Conducting wind force measurements on a model of the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Suspension 

Bridge in Maine to study curb grate blockage. 

» Setting up an instrumentation package for monitoring wind and cable vibrations on the 

Bill Emerson Bridge in Missouri. 

» Maintaining instrumentation systems and analyzing data from several field installations. 

» Performing vibration tests on cables of the new Prospect-Verona Bridge in Maine to 

establish baseline dynamic properties.

» Performing flow visualization studies around bridge cross-sections using particle image 

velocimetry (PIV) in a small wind tunnel.

» Archiving field data, developing several unique databases, and establishing an online 

technical reference library.
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Arens Photometric 

and Visibility Laboratory

The Arens Photometric and Visibility Laboratory (PVL) conducts evaluations of the photometric and 

colorimetric properties of traffic control devices, including signing and pavement marking materials 

and traffic signal lights, to establish the required levels that meet the visual needs of drivers. In 

addition to basic photometric and colorimetric measurements, the PVL evaluates fluorescence 

and retroreflective properties of materials. Results of these evaluations support Federal guidelines 

issued in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as well as the development 

of consensus standards promulgated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 

International. The PVL directly conducts or supports additional human-factors studies on roadway 

visibility issues, such as the impact of roadway lighting on driver performance. 

Keywords: 

Photometry, colorimetry, retroreflective. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Carl Andersen, carl.andersen@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3366 

Activities: 

» Recommending photometric and colorimetric specifications for traffic control materials. 

» Evaluating proposed changes to transport-related lighting and signaling systems, 

including automotive headlamps, and new technologies in traffic signals and dynamic 

message signs. 
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Asphalt: Binder 

Rheology Laboratory

The Binder Rheology Laboratory studies the flow and deformation of paving materials. Laboratory 

activities include Superpave® performance-based binder specification testing, research and 

development, and advanced rheological research in asphalt, modified asphalt, and mastic 

(binder and rock dust) binders to improve the durability, longevity, quality, and life-cycle cost of 

asphalt pavements.

Keywords: 

Asphalt pavements, binder, mastic, life-cycle costs, rheology, Superpave. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Nelson Gibson, nelson.gibson@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3073 

Activities: 

» Developing an asphalt mastic test to predict pavement performance by comparing 

the predictions from the binder tests with those from the mastic tests. 

» Establishing a procedure to estimate the rheological properties of aged asphalts and 

unaged asphalts without using the laboratory aging simulation. 

» Establishing a proper procedure for fatigue testing of binders using the dynamic 

shear rheometer. 

» Testing binders for the polymer-modified program currently underway as part of the 

Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF) activities. 

» Characterizing the various chemically modified crumb rubber asphalts developed by 

the chemistry group. 

» Providing rheological data for validating the Laboratory Asphalt Stability Test for 

modified asphalts currently under evaluation. 
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Asphalt: Bituminous 

Mixtures Laboratory

The Bituminous Mixtures Laboratory develops and improves bituminous mixture design 

technology and performance-based tests and evaluates aggregates, binders, additives, and 

new materials. Researchers study asphalt pavement mixtures, consisting of asphalt binder and 

specially sized stones, to optimize asphalt mixtures for specific highway applications, extend 

pavement life, improve asphalt pavement performance, reduce vehicle wear-and-tear, and 

shorten construction delays. 

Keywords: 

Asphalt pavement mixtures, binder, aggregates, rutting, fatigue, Superpave. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Nelson Gibson, nelson.gibson@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3073 

Activities: 

» Validating Superpave asphalt binder tests and specifications, Superpave mixture tests 

and performance models, and other laboratory tests used to predict the performance 

of asphalt mixtures. 

» Determining if asphalt binder performance is captured correctly by the Superpave 

asphalt binder specification developed under the 1987–1993 Strategic Highway 

Research Program and post-program modifications. 

» Evaluating the Simple Performance Test for asphalt mixtures. This test was developed 

to measure rutting and fatigue cracking resistance. 
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Asphalt: Pavement 

Testing Facility

The Pavement Testing Facility consists of 12 pavement test lanes and 2 Accelerated Loading 

Facility (ALF) machines that simulate traffic loading at controlled loading and pavement 

temperatures. In only a few months, the ALF machines can evaluate pavement specifications, 

designs, test procedures, and durability of both new and existing pavement materials by 

applying wheel loads corresponding to many years of truck traffic. Two machines allow 

simultaneous testing of two pavement lanes under the same ambient temperature and moisture 

conditions or at the same pavement materials’ age. 

Keywords: 

Pavement materials, traffic loading, controlled loading, accelerated pavement testing. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Nelson Gibson,nelson.gibson@fhwa.dot.gov , (202) 493-3147 

Activities: 

» Testing 12 new full-scale, hot-mix asphalt lanes. The lanes include seven polymermodified asphalt binders and one unmodified binder in an experiment designed 

to improve the Superpave binder specification. 
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Asphalt: Simulation, 

Imaging, and Mechanics of 

Asphalt Pavements Laboratory

The Simulation, Imaging, and Mechanics of Asphalt Pavement (SIMAP) Laboratory relates 

the internal structure (such as size, location, and orientation of aggregates and air voids) of 

asphalt mixes and pavements to their mechanical properties and performance. SIMAP uses a 

three-pronged approach of imaging, simulation, and micromechanics to provide a complete 

description and understanding of pavement performance, including the design, construction, 

and properties of asphalt pavements with long service lives. 

Keywords: 

Asphalt pavements, properties, design, construction, performance. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Ernie Bastian, ernest.bastian@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3075 

Activities: 

» Analyzing asphalt specimens routinely sent from across the United States. 

» Developing indices for measuring various types of aggregate inhomogeneity, air 

void distribution, and aggregate orientation. 
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Bridge Management 

Information Systems 

Laboratory

The Bridge Management Information Systems Laboratory identifies and analyzes causes and 

trends of deficiencies within the Nation’s bridge inventory. Tools support sophisticated analytical 

research on existing disparate data sources through a geographical information system 

platform combined with relational database management systems software and advanced 

mathematical and statistical software. Data acquired include the time-series National Bridge 

Inventory, climatological data distributions, seismic point-source information and strong-motion 

data, hydraulic and hydrologic information, geotechnical distributions, transportation network 

coverages, and base political data sets. This synthesis of data and advanced tools is not 

available at any other facility in the world. 

Keywords: 

Climatological data distributions, seismic point-source information and strong-motion data, 

hydraulic and hydrologic information, geotechnical distributions. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Hamid Ghasemi, hamid.ghasemi@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3042 

Activities: 

» Conducting studies to correlate spatial deterioration patterns and bridge deficiencies 

with environmental variables. 

» Assessing life cycle costs to enhance decision-support models for bridge management 

systems. 

» Developing a methodology for sampling candidate bridges for the Long-Term Bridge 

Performance Program.
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Chemistry 

Research Facility

Researchers at the Chemistry Research Facility advance the understanding of material failures 

and potential performance enhancements, help develop state-of-the-art characterization tools, 

and test and foster new materials development. The facility validates FHWA-sponsored offsite 

research and assists industry and State and Government agencies with forensic analyses and 

unbiased support.

There are three main laboratories in this facility. The Chemistry Laboratory provides capabilities 

for synthesizing and modifying highway materials. The Material Characterization Laboratory 

evaluates highway materials and their components—in particular their susceptibility to oxidation, 

moisture damage, and the harmful effects of deicing chemicals. As well as developing forensic 

test methods, the Analytical/Spectroscopy Laboratory conducts detailed chemical analyses to 

determine the effect of environmental conditions on a variety of paving materials. 

Keywords: 

Materials science, composition analysis, moisture susceptibility, material chemical analysis. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Terry Arnold, terry.arnold@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3305

Activities:

» Investigating the effects of acid modification on asphalt binder chemistry and 

performance. 

» Investigating the material science of cementitious systems. 

» Developing tools to identify deleterious materials in aggregate and asphalt supplies 

with particular emphasis on the components responsible for pavement moisture 

susceptibility.

» Investigating the phase behavior of conventional and polymer modified asphalt binders. 

» Evaluating the resistance of alternative paving materials to environmental factors.

» Evaluating highway materials to determine the materials’ susceptibility to moisture 

damage and understand the harmful effects of deicing chemicals. 

» Investigating asphalt embrittlement.
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Coatings and 

Corrosion Laboratory

The Coatings and Corrosion Laboratory (CCL) provides technical support to the Office of 

Infrastructure Research and Development. Using both accelerated laboratory tests and natural 

outdoor exposure, researchers develop and analyze the effectiveness of test procedures for 

bridge coating systems and evaluate the durability of new cost-effective and environ¬mentally 

compliant coating systems that protect steel bridges from corrosion. CCL also helps State 

Department of Transportations solve a variety of bridge coating problems and recommends 

appropriate coatings for different environmental conditions.

Keywords: 

Bridge coatings, durability, environmentally compliant materials, corrosion protection. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Seung-Kyoung Lee, seung-kyoung.lee@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3077 

Activities: 

» Characterizing paint composition using various chemistry methods and scanning 

electron microscopy/energy dispersive analysis, electrochemical impedance 

spectroscopy, and other spectroscopic techniques. 

» Applying forensic analytical techniques to identify bridge coating type and determine 

causes of field coating failures. 

» Evaluating more economical coatings of one-coat and rapid deployment two-coat 

systems compared to conventional multi-coat systems.

» Evaluating conventional and newly developed metallic alloy coatings.

» Developing and evaluating durable coating systems that can last for 100 years.
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Concrete Laboratories

Researchers in the Concrete Laboratories evaluate new test methods, conduct concrete materials 

research, develop mixture design and analysis procedures for concrete pavements, and provide 

concrete forensics. The six Concrete Laboratories are Aggregate and Sample Preparation, 

Concrete Curing/Maturity, Concrete Durability, Mechanical Properties, Plastic Concrete, and the 

Petrographic Laboratory.

Keywords: 

Concrete materials, concrete forensics, portland cement concrete, PCC, materials selections, 

concrete pavement, hydraulic cement concrete, HCC. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Richard Meininger, richard.meininger@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3191 

Activities:

» Investigating the properties and performance of portland cement concrete (PCC). 

» Evaluating and developing new or improved equipment and procedures for assessing 

PCC properties and performance. 

» Examining practices for PCC materials selection, mixture proportioning, mixture analysis, 

and construction for concrete pavements.

» Mixing, casting, and testing PCC test specimens for both concrete pavement and 

concrete structures research. 

» Conducting specialized tests and forensic investigations on PCC to help State 

Departments of Transportation (DOTs) troubleshoot problems with concrete pavements 

and structures.
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Digital Highway 

Measurement System

FHWA’s Digital Highway Measurement System (DHMS) is an instrumented vehicle that uses 

multiple technologies, sensors, and computer analysis capabilities to collect raw highway data 

and to process that data into readily useable, electronic data files. Information is collected on, 

above, and below the ground.

The vehicle enables engineers and maintenance personnel to collect information and to perform 

roadway inspections at highway speeds; the synchronized and continuous sensors collect 

information at extremely precise levels. The vehicle keeps pace with traffic and gathers all 

necessary data in one pass without causing traffic congestion or placing surveyors at risk. The 

combination of the global positioning system (GPS) and inertial navigation system allows for 

continuous accurate location information for all roadways, regardless of satellite coverage. 

Stand-alone GPS introduces significant error on many roads.

The information and knowledge collected with the system provides accurate data needed to 

improve highway safety, engineering, inventory, maintenance, and research.

Keywords:

3-D ground-penetrating radar, inertial navigation, scanning laser, macrotexture laser, 

accelerometer, Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), Nationwide Differential Global 

Positioning System (NDGPS), High-Accuracy NDGPS

Laboratory Manager: 

Kunik Lee, kunik.lee@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3491

Activities:

» Collecting and analyzing surface and subsurface geometry and characteristics of the 

Cumberland Gap Tunnel using the DHMS prototype in combination with the proposed 

3-D ground penetrating radar unit.

» Conducting an industry briefing about DHMS technologies to prepare for use in the 

safety component of the SHRP-2 program.
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Federal Outdoor 

Impact Laboratory

The Federal Outdoor Impact Laboratory (FOIL) is a research facility used to support FHWA’s 

Safety Research and Development (R&D) programs and other Federal security initiatives. 

Researchers use this facility to extend their understanding of crash events by staging controlled, 

high-speed motor vehicle collisions into roadside structures in close proximity to the Nation’s 

roadways. Typically, researchers use this facility to confirm the accuracy of prior computergenerated crash predictions. Routine certification or compliance testing, including testing 

performed to ensure compliance with existing safety standards, is not conducted at the FOIL. 

As a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York 

City, building security has became a focus and a priority for the U.S. Government. The FOIL is 

being used to develop perimeter security devices to prevent the unwanted intrusion of speeding 

motor vehicles into areas adjacent to government buildings and other critical facilities. 

Keywords: 

Crash testing, roadside safety, building perimeter security. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Martin Hargrave, martin.hargrave@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3311 

Activities: 

Roadside Safety Structures

» Optimizing placement of cable median barriers in sloped roadway median areas to 

contain motor vehicles and prevent crossovers.

» Redesigning the connections between portable concrete barriers to ensure that they do 

not disconnect during a motor vehicle collision.

» Determining the tolerance range for W-beam guardrail heights to ensure proper 

functioning during a motor vehicle collision.

» Redesigning mailbox and small sign mounting supports to mitigate windshield 

penetration during a motor vehicle collision.

Perimeter Security Devices

» Positioning fixed and removable roadside bollards with the associated reinforced 

concrete foundation.

» Installing energy-absorbing fencing and the associated reinforced concrete 

foundation.

» Constructing high- and low-rise reinforced concrete walls and the associated 

reinforced concrete foundations.

» Constructing high- and low-rise walls and the heavily reinforced foundations. 

» Using large planters used to restrict motor vehicle access, including collision 

resistant roadway or sidewalk attachments.
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FHWA/NHTSA 

National Crash Analysis Center

The National Crash Analysis Center (NCAC) is a cooperative venture of FHWA and the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for automotive and highway safety research. The 

program is unique in its comprehensive and cutting edge approach to improving safety. The focus 

of the program is the advancement of computer modeling and crash simulation technologies to 

permit the effective development of improved vehicle and roadside structure design to reduce 

highway crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities. The NCAC program is conducted under 

a cooperative agreement with The George Washington University. The program includes a range 

of concurrent research activities ranging from detailed analyses of empirical crash data and the 

development and refinement of computer models and crash simulation tools, to the biomechanics 

analyses of occupant risk. The cooperative agreement also covers the operation and maintenance 

of a national library of more than four decades of crash-test films and documentation, the 

operation of a Vehicle Modeling Lab, a High-Performance Computing Lab, and the Federal 

Outdoor Impact Laboratory (FOIL). The Vehicle Modeling Laboratory is used to create vehicle 

models through reverse engineering that involves completely disassembling an object (i.e., a 

vehicle), digitizing and characterizing each part, entering the parts into the computer, assembling 

the parts into a composite of finite elements, and validating the completeness and accuracy of the 

computer representation. The FOIL facility provides the capabilities for full-scale crash testing to 

validate crash simulations and a pendulum for dynamic loading of vehicle and roadside hardware 

components to acquire data for subsequent use in the models. 

Keywords: 

Crash simulation, finite element modeling, roadside hardware evaluation, biomechanics, 

impact testing and analysis, vehicle rollover analysis, occupant risk analyses. 

Program Managers: 

Kenneth S. Opiela; kenneth.opiela@fhwa.dot.gov; (202) 493-3371 

Martin M. Hargrave; martin.hargrave@fhwa.dot.gov; (202) 493-3311

(continued on next page)
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FHWA/NHTSA 

National Crash Analysis Center

Activities: 

» Analyzing cable median barrier designs and placement within the median.

» Analyzing the safety performance of w-beam guardrails, sign supports, mailboxes, 

portable concrete barriers, and other roadside hardware.

» Developing vehicle and roadside hardware finite element models to promote the use of 

crash simulations in design and safety evaluation.

» Analyzing vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in frontal, side, and rear collisions, and 

developing assessment techniques under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program 

(NCAP).

» Analyzing the effectiveness of child safety seats in side impact crashes by using crash 

simulation.

» Researching the causes of vehicle rollover and the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

» Designing, analyzing, and testing barriers to provide physical security of buildings and 

facilities. 

» Analyzing occupant risk, ranging from efforts to develop finite element models of the 

human 

body to the analysis of data from crash dummies. 

» Improving the accuracy of computer models though the use of crash testing, and 

validating 

crash simulation results. 

—continued
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Geometric Design 

Laboratory

The Geometric Design Laboratory helps establish the standards and procedures for Interactive 

Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) software development. IHSDM is a suite of tools 

that helps highway planners and designers evaluate the safety of highway geometric design 

alternatives. It contains six modules: Crash Prediction, Design Consistency, Driver/Vehicle, 

Intersection Review, Policy Review, and Traffic Analysis. 

Keywords: 

Safety, roadway design, geometric design alternatives. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Ray Krammes, ray.krammes@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3312 

Activities:

» Preparing functional specifications for IHSDM.

» Verifying and validating the modules that will become core IHSDM components.

» Conducting alpha testing of IHSDM software.

» Coordinating beta testing of IHSDM software by potential end-users, which include 

State Department of Transportations and their consultants. 

» Providing technical support to IHSDM users.
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Geotechnical Laboratory

The Geotechnical Laboratory studies the interactions between soil and structural elements for 

bridge foundations and retaining wall systems. Researchers test new materials, designs, and 

construction methods to determine acceptability and identify opportunities for improvement.

Keywords:

Bridge foundations, retaining-wall systems, shallow-foundation systems, deep-foundation systems, 

abutments.

Laboratory Managers:

Mike Adams, mike.adams@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3025

Carl Ealy, carl.ealy@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3035

Activities

» Developing foundation systems for rapid bridge construction, including testing 

full-scale bridge piers, abutments, and retaining-wall structures at outdoor test sites. 

» Developing a new indoor laboratory facility to specialize in the characterization 

of geosynthetic reinforced soil systems. 
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Highway Safety 

Information System 

Laboratory

The Highway Safety Information system is a multi-State database in which crash, roadway 

inventory, traffic, driver, vehicle, and other information can be linked into analysis files for a 

range of safety studies. The database contains roadway, traffic, and crash information from 

nine States and two urban centers. The availability of these data allows researchers to evaluate 

roadway and traffic variables in relation to crash risk.

Keywords:

Roadway design, roadway inventory, roadway and traffic variables, crash data, safety

Lab Manager:

Carol Tan, carol.tan@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3315

Activities:

» Developing speed-related crash typology.

» Studying the safety effects of rumble strips at stop-controlled intersections.

» Developing new geographical information system safety analysis tools.
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Human Centered 

Systems Laboratory

The Human Centered Systems (HCS) Laboratory analyzes road user behaviors using a variety 

of laboratory methodologies that employ the Highway Driving Simulator, a field research 

vehicle, and video data collection in the real world. The HCS team analyzes a broad spectrum 

of geometric, traffic control, and operational issues to help design safe and efficient roadway 

infrastructures. Specialized controlled environments in the laboratory help researchers examine 

driver and pedestrian preferences, gather baseline data, analyze complex roadway issues, and 

test hypotheses in a safe, controlled setting. 

Keywords: 

Roadway infrastructure, behavior, geometric issues, traffic control devices, operational issues, 

roadway conditions and environment. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Paul Tremont, paul.tremont@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3338 

Activities:

» Investigating the effects of speed limit sign spacing on memory retention in drivers. 

» Using simulation and visualization techniques to develop and refine the diverging 

diamond interchange and the continuous flow intersection designs. 

» Analyzing drivers’ navigation patterns and sign comprehension for double-lane 

roundabouts.

» Developing and testing subjects in a series of low-cost safety improvement design or 

traffic control configurations in support of the Safety Countermeasure Evaluation Pooled 

Fund Project.
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Intelligent Intersection 

Traffic Control Laboratory

The Intelligent Intersection Traffic Control Laboratory is a world-class facility with the capacity to 

integrate and operate various advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies. The 

facility is equipped with a full-range of traffic control devices, fiber-optic communication networks, 

dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), and state-of-art vehicle-infrastructure interfaces (VII). 

The laboratory provides the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with a test ground for VII 

and Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System (CICAS) research programs and a 

test facility for ITS and signal control technology integration and evaluation. The laboratory has 

hosted ITS and CICAS demonstrations with national and international media coverage. 

Keywords: 

Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITS, traffic operations, signal control, vehicle infrastructure 

integration, VII, DSRC, Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems, CICAS. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Peter Huang, peter.huang@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3484 

Activities: 

» Supporting research activities for DOT ITS programs, including VII and CICAS programs. 

» Demonstrating various VII and CICAS operations and technology integrations. 

» Showcasing and evaluating various VII, CICAS, and signal control technologies. 
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J. Sterling Jones 

Hydraulics Laboratory

Hydraulics Laboratory researchers identify research needs, test the hydraulic performance of 

highway drainage structures and stream crossings, solve hydraulic and stream stability problems, 

and support operational engineers with design guidance and tools. The laboratory has small 

scale physical modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling components that 

work in tandem; results are extrapolated from one and verified and calibrated by the other. 

The physical modeling components include a tilting flume, force balance flume, a special 

designed particle image velocimetry (PIV) flume, and a junction loss testing facility that utilizes 

3-dimensionalPIV. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling capability features FLUENT 

flow modeling software on a high performance computing system located at Argonne National 

Laboratory that can reproduce sediment flow interaction results as well as flow field studies that 

can be extended to field conditions.

Keywords: 

Scour technology, bridge hydraulics, culvert hydraulics, highway drainage, environmental 

hydraulics, fluid mechanics, hydro dynamics, CFD modeling. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Kornel Kerenyi, kornel.kerenyi@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3142 

Activities: 

» Conducting Junction Loss Experiments. 

» Performing bottomless culvert tests. 

» Examining fish passage in large culverts with low flows. 

» Testing pressure flow scour for inundated bridge decks. 

» Analyzing hydrodynamic forces and moments on inundated bridge decks. 

» Using fluidic devices for pier scour countermeasures.
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Nondestructive 

Evaluation Center

The Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Center develops and tests nondestructive evaluation 

technologies that assess the condition of in-service highway bridges. Researchers evaluate 

existing technologies and develop new tools to improve the state-of-the-practice for bridge 

(and pavement) inspection. The center is dedicated to advancing NDE technologies for highway 

bridges and works closely with State Department of Transportations (DOTs) to identify and solve 

difficult inspection challenges.

Keywords: 

Bridge inspection, nondestructive evaluation, NDT/NDE, human factors, visual inspection, 

scanning, imaging. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Frank Jalinoos, frank.jalinoos@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3082 

Activities: 

» Evaluating NDE technologies for the detection of growing fatigue cracks in steel 

bridges.

» Developing an advanced bridge deck NDE imaging technologies for detecting 

delamination/corrosion in concrete bridge decks. 

» Developing technologies for rapid load rating of highway bridges.

» Implementing field validation of sensor and NDE methodologies.

» Developing nonlinear dynamics (chaos theory) analysis for the condition assessment 

of highway bridges.

» Exploring the development of a specification for using automated ultrasonic testing 

in fabrication of steel bridge. 

» Developing and deploying a Web-based manual related to NDE applications and 

capabilities. 
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Turner-Fairbank 

Highway 

Research Center 

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Saxton Highway 

Electronics Laboratory

The Saxton Highway Electronics Laboratory provides electronic engineering design and support 

services to the Offices of Research, Development, and Technology and other FHWA offices. In 

addition to repairing and maintaining laboratory equipment, researchers consult on electronic 

instrumentation requirements, prepare electronic project specifications, and help design and 

fabricate electronic systems.

Keywords: 

Electronic engineering. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Masoud Nasabzadeh, masoud.nasabzadeh@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3047 

Activities:

» Designing and installing sensors and data acquisition systems for highway research 

vehicles. 

» Designing and fabricating unique, precise, state-of-the-art electronic instruments and 

systems for highway research conducted within other Turner-Fairbank Highway Research 

Center laboratories. 
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Turner-Fairbank 

Highway 

Research Center 

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Structures Laboratory

The Structures Laboratory is a world-class facility in which full-scale bridges can be erected and 

tested with the latest technology. The laboratory’s primary mission is to conduct experimental 

studies to determine the behavior of bridge components and full-size bridges. Laboratory 

researchers evaluate the strength and mechanical properties of structural materials and instruments 

and perform field evaluations of in-service bridge structures. Data from these studies are used 

to improve National bridge design specifications, as well as the safety, reliability, and costeffectiveness of bridge construction in the United States. The laboratory also conducts forensic 

investigations of bridge failures with National significance.

Keywords: 

Structural materials, bridge structures, bridge components, bridge design specifications. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Fassil Beshah, fassil.beshah@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3041 

Activities: 

» Developing improved specifications to design and analyze horizontally curved steel 

bridge structures. 

» Evaluating ultra-high-performance concrete bridge girders. 

» Developing modular steel bridge systems for rapid construction.

» Investigating the fatigue resistance of galvanized steel pole and sign structures.

» Evaluating the strength and creep resistance of epoxy chemical anchor bolt systems 

under sustained loads.

» Developing design and performance specifications for the structural use of lightweight 

concrete in bridge decks and components. 
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Turner-Fairbank 

Highway 

Research Center 

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Traffic Research 

Laboratory

The Traffic Research Laboratory (TReL) assesses and evaluates the impact of various combinations 

of advanced technologies, strategies, and policies before they are applied in the field. The 

advanced hardware and software systems available in TReL help researchers visualize and 

simulate traffic engineering scenarios. TReL staff also continues to support the Traffic Software 

Integrated System, a suite of traffic analysis tools that assess the impact of transportation 

improvements to a network. TReL provides the simulation tools needed to test and evaluate realtime adaptive traffic control systems algorithms under a range of geometric and traffic conditions.

Keywords: 

TReL, Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), Traffic Software Integrated System, 

Adaptive Control Systems (ACS), ACS-Lite. 

Laboratory Manager: 

Randall VanGorder, randall.vangorder@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3266 

Activities: 

» Applying hardware-in-the-loop concepts, allowing traffic controllers to be physically 

connected with simulated traffic in real time. 

» Developing and evaluating dynamic traffic assignment systems. 

» Evaluating and demonstrating adaptive control prototypes.

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center 

FHWA-HRT-08-022 

HRTM-03/01-08(500)E

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