FHWA R&T Now ~ May 2011~

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A news update of research, technology, and development from the U.S. Department of Transportation 

(USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 

GENERAL/ADMINSTRATIVE 

Planning for the Implementation of the Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2)

 

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) continues to manage the SHRP 2 program and has been 

convening implementation-planning workshops to prepare for the deployment of the first research results. 

FHWA liaisons and technical staff are fully engaged in the workshops, and with the SHRP 2 Technical 

Coordinating Committees (TCCs) as they evaluate the projects and recommend initiatives for 

implementation or further research during 2011. 

Congress extended the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for 

Users (SAFETEA-LU) surface transportation authorization through September 30, 2011, and passed a 

continuing resolution last December that amended Section 510 of Title 23 to allow the Secretary of 

Transportation to use SHRP 2 funds for implementation of research products related to the program. This 

provision engages FHWA resources to advance SHRP 2 development, demonstration, evaluation, and 

technology transfer activities. 

FHWA staff has been working with TRB, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation 

Officials (AASHTO), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on a 

collaborative approach to SHRP 2 implementation. Working with the TCCs, each organization is assessing 

the relevance and readiness of the emerging products to their existing programs and proposing next steps 

toward product implementation. At the next SHRP 2 Oversight Committee meeting on June 13-14, 

FHWA’s Executive Director will establish expectations about what the agency is prepared to do to 

implement SHRP 2 over the next 12 months. 

For more information, contact Margie Sheriff, 202-366-1747, margie.sheriff@dot.gov.

Now Online: Database of FHWA—Approved Public Interest Findings for Patented & Proprietary 

Products 

HIPA-30 surveyed the Division offices in 2007 and 2009 regarding approved Public Interest Findings 

(PIFs). The data obtained was consolidated into a database. All told, the survey data (as well as updates 

provided by the Division Offices) was consolidated into a database containing over 1,000 approved PIFs 

for patented and proprietary products. This database is now available online at 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/contracts/pif/index.cfm. The data can be filtered by Tracking 

Number, State, Basis of Approval, Product/Material, Product/Material Category, and PIF Extent. 

The publishing of this database to the FHWA Internet site is the first step in providing clarification to 

FHWA’s policy regarding patented and proprietary product approvals. Other steps in this process include: 

 The existing guidance (Q & As) will be updated to clarify the differences between certifications 

and PIFs, and between the two types of certifications. It will also clarify when FHWA approval is 

required. 
 FHWA guidance, as posted on the agency Web site, will be supplemented with examples of 

excellent certifications and public interest findings. These will include certifications based on both 

synchronization and “no equally suitable alternative.” 

 A memo to the Divisions will be issued bringing attention to the revised guidance and 

emphasizing that the promotion of innovative products is a goal of the agency. 

 The Stewardship Agreement Guidance will be updated to address the use of proprietary products. 

Divisions will be directed to include both FHWA and State DOT responsibilities with regard to 

certifications and public interest findings. Where authority has been delegated to the State DOT, 

the stewardship agreements should require the State DOT to forward all approval and 

documentation to the Division. The Divisions will transmit this information to Headquarters for 

posting on the agency Web site. 

 The Office of Program Administration Web site will post and continually update a list of approved 

certifications and PIFs, using information submitted routinely by the Divisions. 

 Both the guidance memo and the stewardship agreement guidance will emphasize that existing 

certifications and PIFs shall be continually evaluated as new products are developed and become 

available. 

For more information, contact John Huyer, 202-366-1937, john.huyer@dot.gov. 

ADVANCED RESEARCH 

New Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program Fact Sheets Available 

Seven new Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program fact sheets are available on the FHWA 

Website. 

Three fact sheets provide information about an EAR Program-sponsored projects focused on the concept of 

vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) cooperation and vehicle positioning and navigation as elements of an 

integrated highway system: “Investigating Advanced Traffic Signal Control” (FHWA–HRT–11–044), 

“Efficient and Safe Merging Solutions” (FHWA–HRT–10–076), and “Staying in Lane: Intelligent Fusion 

of Vehicle Sensor Data” (FHWA-HRT-10-064). 

Two fact sheets describe EAR Program-sponsored projects on human behavior and travel choices: 

“Modeling Driver Characteristics,” (FHWA–HRT–10–070) and “Investigating Congestion and Solutions: 

Experiments on Congestion Conditions and Pricing Initiatives” (FHWA-HRT-10-061). 

The fact sheet, “New Ways to Predict Bridge Performance: Advances in Structural Health Monitoring,” 

(FHWA-HRT-10-062) describes advanced methods for assessing system performance. 

Two fact sheets—“Harnessing the Value of Ecosystems” (FHWA–HRT–10–075) and “Exploring Cement 

Hydration Kinetics” (FHWA–HRT–10–078)—provide information about EAR Program initial stage 

investigations on innovative topics. Initial stage investigations can lead to EAR Program investments 

through future open solicitations. 

EAR Program fact sheets are located at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/pubs.cfm. 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

Report: Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Asphalt Mixtures: State of the Practice 

Recycling asphalt pavement (RAP) creates a cycle of reusing materials that optimizes the use of natural 

resources. RAP is a useful alternative to virgin materials because it reduces the need to use virgin 

aggregate, which is a scarce commodity in some areas of the United States.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/11021/index.cfm

For more information, contact Audrey Copeland, 202-493-3097, audrey.copeland@dot.gov. 

Technical Note: Ultra-High Performance Concrete

Advances in the science of concrete materials have led to the development of a new class of cementitious 

composites, namely ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). The mechanical and durability properties of 

UHPC make it an ideal candidate for use in developing new solutions to pressing concerns about highway 

infrastructure deterioration, repair, and replacement.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/11038/index.cfm

For more information, contact Ben Graybeal, 202-493-3122, benjamin.graybeal@dot.gov. 

Report: LTPP Specific Pavement Studies (SPS) Materials Action Plan Final Report

This report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Long-Term Pavement Performance 

(LTPP) program Materials Action Plan (MAP). The MAP was initiated in August 2004 to improve the 

extent and amount of materials data to characterize the pavement structure of test sections at LTPP Specific 

Pavement Study (SPS) -1, -2, -5, -6, and -8 experimental sites. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/10049/index.cfm

For more information, contact Aramis Lopez, 202-493-3145, aramis.lopez@dot.gov. 

SAFETY

Summary Report: Safety Evaluation of the Safety EdgeSM Treatment 

The FHWA Office of Safety Research and Development announces the availability of reports on research 

evaluating the Safety EdgeSM, a pavement edge treatment. This evaluation was conducted by the Highway 

Safety Information System (HSIS) at the FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. The Safety 

Edge is an innovative treatment intended to minimize edge drop-off-related crashes. With this treatment, 

the pavement edge is sloped at a 30 degree angle from horizontal, which makes it easier for a driver to 

safely reenter the roadway after inadvertently driving onto the shoulder. HSIS researchers found that 

though the reduction in crashes due to the Safety Edge is modest, but its application under most conditions 

appears to be highly cost-effective because it is so inexpensive. 

For more details, see the HSIS Summary Report “Safety Evaluation of the Safety Edge Treatment,” 

(FHWA-HRT-11-025), at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/hsis/11025/index.cfm. The 

full research report (FHWA-HRT-11-024) is available at 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/11024/index.cfm. 

For more information, contact Carol Tan, 202-493-3315, carol.tan@dot.gov. 

RECENT PERIODICALS 

FOCUS Newsletter April 2011 
This issue includes: Building Bridges the Geosynthetic Way; Guidelines for the Preservation of HighTraffic Volume Roadways; For Soil Nail Walls, It’s a SNAP; Enter the World of LTPP Data; Highway 

Technology Calendar; and, An Interactive Overview of Right-of-Way Requirements for Local Agencies.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/focus/11apr/11apr00.cfm

For more information, contact Lisa Pope, lgpope@woodwardcom.com

Public Roads—May/June 2011 

This issue includes: A City’s Signature Centerpiece; Mississippi’s Recovery; Safety Strategies Study; 

Securing the Nation’s Bridges; and, Masters of Information. 

 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/11mayjun/index.cfm

 

For more information, contact Paula Magoulas, 202-493-3398, paula.magoulas@dot.gov.

Public Roads—March/April 2011 

This issue includes: A Majestic Showcase; Sustainable Streets; Evaluating Pedestrian Safety 

Countermeasures; From “Carmageddon” to Complete Success; and, Prizing Excellence. 

 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/11marapr/index.cfm

 

For more information, contact Paula Magoulas, 202-493-3398, paula.magoulas@dot.gov.

Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter—March/April 2011 

This issue includes: FHWA Publishes Transportation Planning for Sustainability Guidebook; EIA Releases 

Annual Report on US GHG Emissions; Texas A&M Report Examines Integration of Climate Change 

Adaptation into Transportation Planning; Pew Climate Center Releases Pair of White Papers in 

Anticipation of Transportation Legislation; UK Engineering Academy Reports on Climate Change 

Adaptation for Infrastructure; Transportation Research Record Focuses on Energy and Climate Change; 

FHWA Seeks Participants for GIS Applications in Climate Change Peer Exchange; AASHTO Seeks 

Environment Research Ideas; FHWA Webinar to Highlight Sustainable Pavements; and, FHWA Holding 

Series of Webinars on Congestion Pricing. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climatechange/newsletter/ccnews0411.htm

Links: 

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/

Resource Center: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/ 

National Highway Institute: http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/home.aspx

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