FHWA R&T Now -July 2008-

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

Federal Highway Administration 

ADVANCED RESEARCH 

-Exploratory Advanced Research Federal Register Notice Seeks Interest, CommentsOn July 8, the Federal Register http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a080708c.html included a notice 

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15477.htm about the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory 

Advanced Research (EAR) Program announcing five EAR projects that will take place at the Turner-Fairbank Highway 

Research Center (TFHRC). The notice is seeking to encourage interest in the work by organizations or individuals 

conducting related work or anticipating the results of such work and to solicit comments about the long-term impact of 

the work on future research, technical innovation, or transportation industry practices. The EAR Program anticipates 

holding one or more Web conferences to answer questions and encourage dialogue about the research. Interested parties 

are encouraged to provide comments to FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2008-0070. 

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/custom/jsp/search/searchresult/documentDetail.jsp?__dmfRequestId=__client7~

~8&Reload=1215609344155&__dmfClientId=1215609064007. 

Contact: david.kuehn@fhwa.dot.gov 202-493-3414 

-EAR Program ContractFHWA signed a contract with the Arizona State University for the 10th project selected under a 2007 Broad Agency 

Announcement for EAR projects. The project constitutes a comprehensive attempt to integrate the three dimensions of 

urban systems modeling of land use, activity-travel demand, and network modeling. It is a collaborative effort between 

Arizona State University; City of Phoenix; the University of Arizona, Tucson; and the University of Washington, Seattle; 

in cooperation with the Maricopa Association of Governments; Maricopa County Department of Transportation; and 

Pima Association of Governments. Awarded through a cooperative effort of FHWA’s Office of Corporate Research, 

Technology, and Innovation Management; Office of Planning; and Office of Acquisition Management, the project will 

be managed by the Office of Planning. For more information about the project, contact Brian Gardner, 

brian.gardner@dot.gov, 202-366-4061. For more information about the broad agency announcement for EAR projects, 

contact Terry Halkyard, terry.halkyard@fhwa.dot.gov, 202-493-3467. 

-FHWA Received 17 EAR ProposalsIn response to a Broad Agency Announcement, FHWA’s Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation 

Management (HRTM) received 17 EAR proposals. The EAR proposals relate to systems operations and reducing 

congestion, pedestrian and driver safety, next generation solutions to build and maintain future highways, and predicting 

societal and complex natural systems. Multidisciplinary panels of experts are reviewing the proposals. HRTM anticipates 

the solicitation will result in five awards totaling approximately $4 million in Federal funds and up to $1million in 

matching funds. 

Contact: david.kuehn@fhwa.dot.gov 202-493-3414 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

-Highways of the Future—A Strategic Plan for Highway Infrastructure R&DThe FHWA Office of Infrastructure R&D developed this strategic plan and roadmap to guide all aspects of the office's 

research and technology initiatives for the next 10 to 15 years. The strategic plan provides direction for future 

infrastructure research and a framework to support the reauthorization efforts in advance of the expiration of authority 

under SAFETEA-LU. http://www.tfhrc.gov/infrastructure/pubs/08068.htm

Contact: John McCracken at john.mccracken@fhwa.dot.gov
SAFETY 

-The FHWA Safety Compass Newsletter—June/July/August 2008 IssueThe Safety Compass Newsletter is a publication of the FHWA Safety Program. This issue includes: Improving 

Motorcycle Travel Data; National Roadway Safety Award Winners; Georgia Click It Or Ticket; Maryland Median 

Barrier Analysis; Arizona Tribal Safety Summit; Child Transportation Safety; Resources, Tools and Technology 

Deployment; and an Events/Meeting Calendar. http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/newsletter/safetycompass/safetycompass.htm 

Contact: Lincoln Cobb at lincoln.cobb@fhwa.dot.gov

-Report: Minimum Retroreflectivity Levels for Blue and Brown Traffic SignsIn 2003, FHWA published research recommendations for minimum maintained retroreflectivity (MR) levels for traffic 

signs. The recommendations included most sign types but not white-on-blue signs or white-on-brown signs. In addition, 

the 2003 recommendations maintained that retroreflectivity levels were based on conditions representing dark rural 

environments. This report describes the research activities and consequent findings related to the development of 

recommendations for MR levels for white-on-blue signs and white-on-brown signs. This report also includes an 

investigation related to MR levels needed for complex visual conditions that include glare from oncoming headlamps 

and fixed roadway lighting. http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08029/index.htm

Contact: Carl Andersen at carl.andersen@fhwa.dot.gov

-Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), Software User ManualThis software user manual for the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) provides guidance on the 

installation and use of the software, which is designed to perform surrogate safety analysis of a traffic facility, 

such as a signalized intersection. http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08050/index.htm

Contact: Joe Bared at joe.bared@fhwa.dot.gov

-TechBrief: Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM)- 

This TechBrief summarizes the R&D of the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), a technique combining 

microsimulation and automated conflict analysis, which analyzes the frequency and character of narrowly averted 

vehicle-to-vehicle collisions in traffic, to assess the safety of traffic facilities without waiting for a statistically abovenormal number of crashes and injuries to actually occur. http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08049/index.htm

Contact: Joe Bared at joe.bared@fhwa.dot.gov

-Evaluations of Low Cost Safety Improvements Pooled Fund StudyThis ongoing, multiphase, pooled-fund study is evaluating a number of safety improvement strategies, which were 

deployed in the field, but which lack reliable measures of their safety effectiveness. The results of four new evaluations 

are now available: Safety Evaluation of Flashing Beacons at Stop-Controlled Intersections, FHWA-HRT-08-048, April 

2008; Safety Evaluation of Increasing Retroreflectivity of STOP Signs, FHWA-HRT-08-047, March 2008; Safety 

Evaluation of STOP AHEAD Pavement Markings, FHWA-HRT-08-045, March 2008; Safety Evaluation of Center TwoWay Left-Turn Lanes on Two-Lane Roads, FHWA-HRT-08-046, March 2008. TechBriefs and the full reports are 

available at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/evaluations/pubs.htm 

PAVEMENTS 

-Long-Term Pavement Performance Newsletter, Spring 2008- 

This issue includes: Forensic Evaluations of the LTPP Test Sites; Distress Viewer and Analyzer Online; In Brief: FHWA 

Sponsors Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) Workshops; and, New LTPP Publications. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/ltpp/news.cfm
OPPORTUNITIES 

-Call for Fiscal Year 2010 International Scan ProposalsThe Office of International Programs currently is accepting proposals for the fiscal year (FY) 2010 cycle of the 

International Technology Scanning Program (ITSP), which is carried out by FHWA in cooperation with the American 

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the National Cooperative Highway Research 

Program (NCHRP). The deadline for submitting scan proposals is September 30, 2008. 

Please note that the scan proposal process will now be conducted online through the Office of International Programs’ 

Web site. The Web site includes instructions for submitting scan proposals, an online scan proposal form, a summary of 

scan selection criteria, and other relevant information on the ITSP. www.international.fhwa.dot.gov

Contact: Hana Maier at hana.maier@dot.gov or 202-366-6003 

RECENT PERIODICALS 

-FOCUS Newsletter - June 2008- 

This issue includes: extending the life of roads and bridges in Louisiana, FHWA’s soil nail showcase, the Little Book of 

Quieter Pavements, FHWA regional conference showcase on asset management around the country, and the highway 

technology calendar. http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/june08/index.htm

Contact: Lisa Pope at lgpope@woodwardcom.com

-FOCUS Newsletter - May 2008- 

This issue includes: National Work Zone Awareness Week 2008: slow for the cone zone; rolling wheel 

deflectometer: a high-speed deflection device to improve asset management; advancing the future of 

long-term bridge performance; in brief; new course introduces strategies for achieving more effective 

pavement management programs; and the highway technology calendar. http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/may08/index.htm

Contact: Lisa Pope at lgpope@woodwardcom.com

-Public Roads - May/June 2008- 

This issue includes: 1) EAR: A Journey Toward New Solutions: Breakthrough opportunities receive Federal funding to 

address long-term transportation challenges; 2) Making Signal Systems Work for Cyclists: A recent FHWA study of 

inductive loop sensors focused on whether they adequately detect motorcycles and bicycles; 3) Making the Case for 

Freight Investments: A new model to capture the additive costs and benefits could help prioritize highway improvement 

projects; 4) Focusing on Pedestrian Safety: Researchers in Arizona are trying to pinpoint when, where, and why 

pedestrians are killed on U.S. roadways; and 5) History Lessons From the National Bridge Inventory: Analyzing data 

from the NBI can help predict how bridge decks will perform. http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/08may/index.htm

Contact: Dawn Vanlandingham at dawn.vanlandingham@fhwa.dot.gov

Links: 

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center: www.tfhrc.gov 

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

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

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