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POLICY & PARTNERSHIPS

Four Task Forces Established at SCOR Meeting

FHWA’s Office of Innovative Program Delivery and Office of Research, Development, and 

Technology recently participated in a planning meeting held by the American Association of State 

Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standing Committee on Research (SCOR). The 

meeting resulted in the establishment of four task forces—Allocation of Funds, Return on 

Investment, Accelerate Research, and Innovation—aimed at improving the committee’s business 

processes. These task forces will report their recommendations to the full committee in December 

2017. As part of the AASHTO reorganization, SCOR will now be known as the Special Committee on 

Research and Innovation. The change is intended to emphasize an increased focus on 

implementing research products. SCOR, which oversees the National Cooperative Highway 

Research Program (NCHRP), acts as AASHTO’s driving force for high-quality transportation research 

and innovation to improve the Nation’s mobility of people and goods. Its mission is to support 

AASHTO and the transportation community by delivering strategic, high-quality research results 

while addressing development, technology transfer, and implementation.

SCOR’s responsibilities are to:

• Encourage and assist other AASHTO committees and subcommittees to identify research 

needs, define research emphasis areas, and utilize research findings. 

• Solicit research problem statements from the member departments, AASHTO committees, 

and FHWA; screen the submittals; prioritize them; and recommend annual NCHRP 

programs for consideration by AASHTO’s Board of Directors. 

• Monitor the Transportation Research Board’s performance as program manager for the 

NCHRP. 

• Monitor the NCHRP and make appropriate recommendations and reports to AASHTO.

• Review, observe, and encourage the effective use of research funding, and recommend 

appropriate funding levels. 

• Serve as a forum, coordinating committee, and advocate for highway and other 

transportation research on behalf of AASHTO and its member departments. 

• Review, monitor, and foster coordination of the various national programs of highway 

research and other transportation research. 

• Foster the role of industry in highway research and other transportation research.

For more information, contact Jack Jernigan, 202-493-3363, jack.jernigan@dot.gov. 

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

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

September/October 2017

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EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH

Three-Truck Platoons Demonstrated on I-66

On September 14 and 15, 2017, FHWA hosted a 

demonstration of three-truck platoons on 

Interstate 66 in Centreville, Virginia. The 

demonstration was the culmination of a 4-year 

FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) 

project to test the effectiveness of state-of-theart driving and communications technologies. 

Those who attended the event had the 

opportunity to ride inside the trucks and 

experience these technologies firsthand. 

While various aspects of truck platooning have 

been studied for years, FHWA’s EAR program 

has taken testing to new levels with the addition 

of cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) 

technology and the incorporation of a third 

truck in the platoon. CACC adds vehicle-tovehicle communications to the adaptive cruise 

control capability now available in new vehicles. 

This connectivity allows trucks to operate more 

smoothly as a unit, reducing and controlling the 

gaps between vehicles.

The demonstration involved partially automated 

trucks (which are not driverless) and used 

professional drivers. The driver continued to the 

steer the truck while the truck platooning 

system controlled the throttle and brakes. The 

advanced technology that makes platooning 

possible is meant to supplement, not replace, 

the Nation’s commercial motor vehicle 

operators.

Key benefits of truck platooning are reduced 

fuel costs and increased road efficiency while 

maintaining safety. The demonstration was 

conducted with EAR project partners, including 

the California department of transportation 

(DOT), California PATH Program, and Volvo 

trucks, as well as local partners including the 

Virginia DOT, Virginia State Police, Fairfax 

County Police, Prince William County Police, and 

Fairfax County Parks Authority. 

For more information about the demonstration 

or truck platooning, contact Osman Altan, 202-

493-3391, osman.altan@dot.gov. 

EAR Program Releases Fact Sheets on Three 

Projects

The EAR Program has released fact sheets that 

describe projects focused on assessing structural 

health, expanding freight capacity, and adaptive 

highway bridge bearings. 

“Assessing the Structural Health of America's 

Highway Bridges Effective Wireless Sensor 

Systems to Monitor Structural Health and 

Detect Damage” (FHWA-HRT-17-043) highlights 

EAR-funded research to develop self-powered 

wireless sensors that can monitor structural 

health or assess bridge conditions. The fact 

sheet discusses a collaborative effort between 

Michigan State University, Washington 

University in St. Louis, and the University of 

Southern California focused on an ultra-low 

power wireless sensing system. Drexel 

University researchers are also developing a 

suite of portable wireless sensors to provide 

important baseline data on structural health. 

Professional drivers operated the trucks, 

which were partially automated. 

A three-truck platoon using CACC technology. 
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These sensors can be installed as needed to 

assess damage from floods, accidents, or similar 

incidents that might compromise structural 

integrity.

“Expanding the Freight Capacity of America's 

Highways Platooning and Connectivity to 

Increase Efficiency” (FHWA-HRT-17-045) 

discusses EAR-funded research that will enable 

long-distance trucks to travel together more 

efficiently. The fact sheet highlights research to 

develop technology and strategies that allow 

two and three trucks to travel close together in 

“platoons,” using advanced sensors and 

connected vehicle technologies to maximize 

efficiencies. Auburn University (in partnership 

with Peterbilt Truck, American Transportation 

Institute, Peloton Technology, and Meritor, Inc.) 

and the University of California, Berkeley’s 

Partners for Advanced Transportation 

Technology program (in partnership with Volvo 

Technologies of America and Cambridge 

Systematics) are involved in this effort. 

“Adaptive Highway Bridge Bearings Towards 

Intelligent Infrastructure Systems” (FHWA-HRT17-046) describes EAR-funded research aimed at 

self-sensing adaptive material for a new 

generation of multifunctional bridge-bearing 

systems. The research, conducted by the 

University of Nevada, Reno, is part of a 3-year 

inquiry into developing responsive smart 

materials for bridge components. 

For more information, contact David Kuehn, 

202-493-3414, david.kuehn@dot.gov. 

INFRASTRUCTURE

FHWA Advances Pavement Friction Assessment 

FHWA is currently in the second phase of a 

project with Virginia Tech to advance the 

assessment of pavement friction, which can help 

a vehicle stop or maneuver its way out of a 

crash. The work involves collaborating with 

Florida, Indiana, Texas, and Washington to 

assess the value of continuous friction 

measurement with state-of-the-practice safety 

analysis methodologies as part of an effort to 

develop pavement friction management 

programs. 

The Sideways Coefficient Routine Investigatory 

Machine (SCRIM)—which is designed to 

measure friction, cross-slope, macro-texture, 

grade, temperature, and curvature—has been 

used to test approximately 700 miles of 

pavement in each of these States. The results 

will be correlated to measurements taken with 

each State’s locked wheel skid trailer, and 

compared to crash histories to develop criteria 

and pavement friction management programs. 

In the first phase of the project, a report on 

theoretical relationships and a report on 

equipment recommendation was produced to 

assess available friction devices. In 2015, FHWA 

took delivery of the SCRIM, which was evaluated 

at the Virginia Smart Road, a full-scale, closed 

test-bed research facility managed by the 

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

An analysis of results is underway and a draft 

report is expected next year. Each participating 

State will receive an analysis of data and an 

assessment of the value analysis of using safety 

analyses within pavement friction management 

programs that consider continuous pavement 

friction and texture data, road geometrics, and 

crashes rates. Discussions are underway to allow 

additional States the opportunity to conduct 

SCRIM testing via a pooled fund study.

For more information, contact Katherine Petros, 

703-493-3154, katherine.petros@dot.gov, or 

Andy Mergenmeier, 667-239-0879, 

andy.mergenmeier@dot.gov. 

Hundreds Attend Webinars on Concrete

FHWA recently held a webinar on controlling the 

cracking of concrete in bridges and a series of 

webinars that covered a suite of deployable 

solutions related to the use of ultra-high 

performance concrete. The webinar on concrete 

cracking, which covered the NCHRP Synthesis 

Report 500, was attended by an estimated 621 
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people across 335 sites. The ultra-high 

performance concrete webinars (six were held 

between March and August 2017) were part of 

FHWA’s Every Day Counts initiative and 

attended by at least 900 registered sites, many 

of which supported multiple attendees. 

FHWA’s Ben Graybeal and Mark Leonard 

assisted in the development and delivery of the 

ultra-high performance concrete webinars. For 

the webinar on concrete cracking, Graybeal also 

moderated the technical content delivery and 

led the question-and-answer session that 

followed.

To view the presentation slides, the NCHRP 

report, and a recording of the webinar on 

concrete cracking, visit 

http://www.trb.org/ElectronicSessions/Blurbs/1

76209.aspx. To access recordings of the ultrahigh performance concrete webinars, visit 

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everyday

counts/edc_4/uhpc_webinar_recording.cfm. 

For more information, contact Ben Graybeal, 

202-493-3122, benjamin.graybeal@dot.gov. 

FHWA Participates in ACI Strategic 

Development Council Forum

FHWA recently participated in the American 

Concrete Institute (ACI) Strategic Development 

Council Technology Forum, which brought 

together researchers and engineers in the public 

and private sectors and professionals in 

academia. Ben Graybeal, who leads FHWA’s 

bridge engineering research team, delivered a 

lecture on the current state of ultra-high 

performance concrete, offering insights on field 

advancements and expected progress in the 

future. Richard Meininger, a highway research 

engineer at FHWA, helped to coordinate a tour 

of Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center 

(TFHRC). Michael Praul, a senior concrete 

engineer, spoke about performance engineered 

concrete mixes. David Kuehn, who manages 

FHWA’s EAR Program, and Jonathan Porter, who 

serves as chief scientist at TFHRC, took part in a 

roundtable focused on achieving acceptance for 

new materials. 

For more information, contact Ben Graybeal, 

202-493-3122, benjamin.graybeal@dot.gov. 

OPERATIONS

Urban Congestion Trend Report Available

FHWA’s annual report on urban congestion 

trends, “Using Technology to Measure, Manage, 

and Improve Operations” (FHWA-HOP-17-010), 

is now available. The report provides annual 

congestion and reliability measure trend 

information as well as highlights evaluations of 

successful operations strategies. “Overall, 

congestion has remained relatively flat, 

increasing by 3 minutes from 4:40 hours in 2015 

to 4:43 hours in 2016,” it states. The report is 

available to download at 

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop

17010/fhwahop17010.pdf. 

For more information, contact Rich Taylor, 202-

366-1327, rich.taylor@dot.gov. 

SAFETY

OSU Students Win HSIS Excellence in Highway 

Safety Data Award

Two students from Oregon State University 

recently received the 2017 Highway Safety 

Information System (HSIS) Excellence in Highway 

Safety Data Award for their paper, “Heavy 

Vehicle Driver Injury Severity Analysis by Time of 

Week: A Mixed Logit Approach Using HSIS Crash 

Data.”

“This year’s winning paper focuses on heavy 

vehicle driver injuries and demonstrates an 

innovative use of HSIS data,” said Michael 

Trentacoste, FHWA’s Associate Administrator 

for Research, Development and Technology. “It 

exemplifies the goal of the awards program—to 

inspire university students to use HSIS data to 

investigate a topic that advances highway 

safety—and we hope these young researchers 
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will continue exploring important transportation 

safety challenges.”

FHWA’s HSIS is a multi-State database that 

contains statistics on crashes, roadway 

inventories, and traffic volumes. Researchers 

and policymakers can use these data to analyze 

such factors as the geometric design of 

roadways, the selection and placement of 

roadside hardware, the use of traffic control 

measures, the size and performance capabilities 

of vehicles, and the needs and abilities of 

highway users.

In July, the authors, Jason Anderson and 

Shangjia Dong, were recognized at the Joint 

Institute of Transportation Engineers 

(ITE)/Canadian ITE 2017 Annual Meeting and 

Exhibit in Toronto, Canada. Their paper is 

published in the September 2017 issue of ITE 

Journal, which is available at 

www.ite.org/itejournal. 

Part of the Highway Data Analysis Excellence 

Awards Program, the HSIS Excellence in Highway 

Safety Data Award was created to introduce 

future highway safety professionals to HSIS 

safety data, to the application of appropriate 

research methods to derive recommendations, 

and to the practice of using data to make 

decisions. The competition is jointly 

administered by the FHWA and ITE, an 

association focused on improving mobility and 

safety in transportation and helping to build 

smart and livable communities.

For more information about FHWA’s HSIS, visit 

https://www.hsisinfo.org/, or contact Carol Tan, 

202-493-3315, carol.tan@dot.gov. 

IHSDM 2017 Boasts Economic Analyses Tool 

FHWA recently released the 2017 version 

(13.0.0) of the Interactive Highway Safety Design 

Model (IHSDM), a suite of software analysis 

tools for evaluating safety and operational 

effects of project-level geometric design 

decisions on highways. The new version features 

an Economic Analyses (EA) Tool that allows 

users to conduct economic analyses within 

IHSDM, using Crash Prediction Module 

evaluation results (crash frequencies and 

severities). The initial version of the IHSDM EA 

Tool applies to freeways and will be expanded 

to include all facility types covered by Part C of 

the Highway Safety Manual. The software is 

available to download for free on the IHSDM 

website, www.ihsdm.org, which includes 

information related to case studies, past 

webinar materials, and frequently asked 

questions. 

IHSDM, which supports the Data-Driven Safety 

Analysis initiative that is part of FHWA’s Every 

Day Counts 3 efforts, includes six evaluation 

modules applicable to rural two-lane highways: 

crash prediction, design consistency, 

intersection review, policy review, traffic 

analysis, and driver/vehicle. The crash 

prediction module serves as a faithful 

implementation of the American Association of 

State Highway and Transportation Officials’ 

Highway Safety Manual, Part C: Predictive 

Methods. The module deals with two-lane rural 

highways, multilane rural highways, urban and 

suburban arterials, freeways and 

ramps/interchanges.

On November 1, 2017, a webinar will be held 

from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (eastern daylight time) to 

introduce the new IHSDM release. For further 

details, visit www.ihsdm.org. IHSDM training 

courses are available through the National 

Highway Institute. For a 2-day, onsite training 

course, visit 

www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/training/course_search.a

spx?tab=0&key=IHSDM&sf=0&course_no=3800

71. For a Web-based, instructor-led course, 

visit www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/training/course_sea
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rch.aspx?tab=0&key=IHSDM&sf=0&course_no=

380100. IHSDM technical support is available at 

IHSDM.Support@dot.gov and 202-493-3407. 

For more information, contact Abdul Zineddin, 

202-493-3288, abdul.zineddin@dot.gov. 

RECENT PERIODICALS

Public Roads—July/August 2017

This issue includes: Transforming Stewardship 

and Oversight for Major Projects; The Age of eConstruction; ITS Is Changing the World; Dollar 

for Dollar; Help Wanted; and A Focused 

Approach to Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety. 

It is available online via 

www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/17

julaug/index.cfm. 

For more information, contact Lisa Shuler, 

lisa.a.shuler@dot.gov. 

Innovator: Accelerating Innovation for the 

American Driving Experience—

September/October 2017

This issue includes: The Math Proves the Savings 

in Pavement Preservation Strategies; 

Community Connections; From New Approach 

to Everyday Practice; Missouri Celebrates a 

Decade of Innovative ‘Plays’; Get Information on 

State Innovation at Your Fingertips; and States 

Innovate!

The issue is available online via 

www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/innovator/issue6

2/3dIssue/. 

LINKS

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center: 

www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/ 

Resource Center: 

www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/ 

National Highway Institute: 

www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/home.aspx 

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