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                Media ContactsMenu OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER Home
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                        Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
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                R&T Portfolio: Operations Research and Technology
    

    
    
          Every day, the National Highway System moves millions of people and billions of dollars’ worth of goods from where they are to where they need to be. For many drivers, operational inefficiencies like bottlenecks or construction zones make travel more difficult and more dangerous. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) aims to address these operational problems and advance the most efficient highway network in the world.

To improve highway operations, FHWA develops technologies and processes that can be used to improve system performance without expensive infrastructure expansions. The Office of Operations Research and Development studies ways to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the Nation’s transportation system, especially through development and implementation of emerging technologies. As promising approaches are identified, FHWA works to accelerate their deployment to enhance safety on highways and improve mobility of freight and people.

Operations Research Activities

Research in highway operations focuses on management strategies and new technologies that can enhance the driving experience on the Nation’s highways in different ways, described more on the pages below dedicated to each topic. Connected and autonomous vehicles present tremendous long-range opportunities to improve roadway safety and efficiency. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) monitor highways more closely and tailor control mechanisms to current conditions. Research in congestion management focuses on ways to mitigate recurring congestion and better manage incidents and special events.







Images copyrights: USDOT; USDOT; Soleg © 2015 123RF.com; Phartisan © 123RF.com; Mechanik © 2014 123RF.com.
              Contact Us

**Brian Cronin****Director, Office of Operations Research and Development**
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101
United States

Brian.Cronin@dot.gov

**Office of Operations**
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC  20590
United States

Related Links

FHWA Operations R&D Program
	FHWA Office of Operations
      
    
          Last updated: Monday, August 1, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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