FHWA R&T Now

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POLICY & PARTNERSHIPS

TRB and FHWA to Review Highway Research   

In December, FHWA leadership involved with research and technology demonstration and

deployment will participate in a meeting of the Research and Technology Coordinating Committee

(RTCC), FHWA’s official research and technology (R&T) advisory committee. Turner‐Fairbank

Highway Research Center (TFHRC) leadership will offer coordination and guidance on presentations

focused on Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act implementation, Every Day Counts,

the R&T Performance Evaluation Program, R&T deployment, the 2017 Modal Research Plan,

disruptive innovation, and the 2018 FHWA Strategic Implementation Plan.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) convenes the RTCC twice yearly to provide continuing

guidance and advice on FHWA’s R&T program and makes broad‐based research priority

recommendations with an emphasis on FHWA’s annual research program plans and budgets.

Committee membership is drawn from top officials in State departments of transportation (DOTs),

as well as university and private‐sector research organizations, local government officials, highway

suppliers, contractors and consultants, environmental and highway safety specialists, and highway

users.   

For more information, contact John Moulden, 202‐493‐3470, john.moulden@dot.gov.

FHWA Publishes Evaluation Report on its R&T Program

FHWA recently published an evaluation of its R&T program. “FHWA Research and Technology  

Evaluation Program Summary Report” (Publication Number: FHWA‐HRT‐16‐071) summarizes 16

evaluations being conducted by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center on behalf of

FHWA’s Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management. Summaries for

completed projects include initial findings as well as background on each project.  

The evaluations are grouped into two waves. The first wave consists of six retrospective

evaluations and four prospective evaluations. The second wave consists of six evaluations, all

prospective. The report provides more detail about evaluations that are closer to completion.

Many of the evaluations leverage both qualitative data (e.g., document review, semistructured

interviews) and quantitative data (e.g., website statistics) to trace the diffusion of FHWA R&T

recommendations, track the adoption of those recommendations, and determine the impact of

adoption.  

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

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 

November/December 2016

FHWA R&T Now
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To access the report, visit

www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/randt

/evaluations/16071/index.cfm

For more information, contact John Moulden,

202‐493‐3470, john.moulden@dot.gov.

EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH

EAR Program Sponsors TRL Assessment

Workshop

FHWA’s Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR)

Program recently sponsored a workshop on

conducting Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Assessments for highway research and

development. The workshop aimed to help

highway researchers prepare for conducting

technology readiness assessments on research

projects and employ assessment results to

shape ongoing and/or future research and

technology deployment.  

TRLs are a metric for measuring technology

maturity, and a useful shorthand for

communicating research results and thinking

critically about next steps, future tests, and

additional development. The workshop

familiarized FHWA staff responsible for

research, development, and technology

deployment with the TRL scale and encouraged

discussion about how this is relevant to highway

research projects. Several sample assessments

were presented and participants discussed the

benefits and limitations of this work and how

results can be used. FHWA made related

training available to State DOTs through a TRB

webinar.  

A recorded version is available at

www.trb.org/ElectronicSessions/Blurbs/173937.

aspx.   

For more information, contact David Kuehn,

202‐493‐3414, david.kuehn@dot.gov.   

INFRASTRUCTURE

Commercialized Version of RABIT Undergoes

Final Validation Testing

A commercialized version of FHWA’s RABIT

Bridge Deck Assessment Tool is undergoing final

validation testing. FHWA, in collaboration with

Rutgers University, developed the RABIT Bridge

Deck Assessment Tool to rapidly detect and

document in near real‐time three of the most

common deterioration types in concrete bridge

decks: rebar corrosion, delamination, and

concrete degradation. The tool can collect high‐

quality research data on the condition of

concrete bridge decks.

The information collected by RABIT helps bridge

owners make data‐driven decisions to maintain,

preserve, and manage their bridge

infrastructure assets. Last year, FHWA deployed

its prototype RABIT Bridge Deck Assessment

Tool to assess and document the deck condition

of all six lanes of the National Park Service’s

Arlington Memorial Bridge.

  

For more information, contact Robert Zobel,

202‐493‐3024, robert.zobel@dot.gov.  

FHWA Participates in Joint Meeting with LTPP

and LTBP Committees

FHWA staff from the Office of Research,

Development, and Technology and the Office of

Infrastructure Research and Development

participated in a joint meeting with TRB’s Long‐

Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Committee

and its Long‐Term Bridge Performance (LTBP)

FHWA’s RABIT Bridge Deck Assessment Tool

rapidly detects and documents rebar

corrosion, delamination, and concrete

degradation.
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Committee. FHWA sponsors these committees

as a forum for obtaining stakeholder input about

the agency’s two largest research programs. The

committees met in a joint session to develop

recommendations on investment priorities

considered across the two programs.  

FHWA is seeking input concerning options that

committee members see and are willing to

champion to leverage FHWA investments with

other sources of funding, including (but not

limited to) pooled fund opportunities.

For more information, contact Cheryl Richter,

202‐493‐3021, cheryl.richter@dot.gov.   

Chemistry Lab Prepares Asphalt Samples

Researchers from TFHRC’s Chemistry Laboratory

recently packed 720 cans of asphalt samples, a

preparation that took several months to

accomplish. The lab is focusing its work on a

waste residue known as Recycled Engine Oil

Bottoms (REOB), what is left over from the

recycling of used engine oil.  

The impact of REOB on pavement durability is

not fully understood, but there is some evidence

that using too much of it can have detrimental

effects. There is also evidence that REOB has

been used in asphalt mixtures without

customers being informed, and without testing

the impact it could have on pavement durability.  

The lab is working to develop a reliable test

method to analyze for REOB. This has not been

easy since REOB is produced by several different

companies and its composition varies widely.

TFHRC has developed a method that can

accurately measure the REOB content of an

asphalt binder. This part of the process, known

as “round robin” testing, is to perfect the

method and teach others how to do this

complex analysis.  

Over the past 5 years, the Chemistry Lab has

tested 1,507 samples from 43 State and Federal

agencies. Of the samples tested, 12 percent

contained REOB—and many samples had REOB

levels now known to be deleterious. Research

participants include 10 State DOTs, one

university, one paving contractor, and two

independent testing laboratories.  

For more information, contact Terry Arnold,

202‐493‐3305, terry.arnold@dot.gov.   

OPERATIONS

RDE Adds More Data Environments for

Download

The Research Data Exchange (RDE) has added a

number of new data environments that are

available to the public for free. The RDE is a

web‐based portal that provides access to

archived and real‐time multisource and

multimodal data to support the development

and testing of intelligent transportation system

(ITS) related applications and transportation

management operational strategies.  

The following new data environments are now

available for download:

   

• Intelligent Network Flow Optimization (INFLO)

Simulation is a VISSIM simulation model for the

U.S. 101 freeway corridor in San Mateo, CA. This

model is used to assess the impacts of the INFLO

Prototype Dynamic Speed Harmonization (SPD‐

HARM) application. This set of performance

measure files was calculated based on the

VISSIM outputs of 24 scenario runs of the SPD‐

HARM application. The models covered various

market penetration rates, incident durations,

and weather conditions.

Researchers from TFHRC’s Chemistry Lab

recently packed 720 cans of asphalt samples.
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• Seattle I‐405 was generated by the Trajectory

Conversion Algorithm Version 2.3 using the SAE

J2735 Basic Safety Message (BSM) based on the

I‐405 corridor in Seattle, WA. This data

environment was generated to provide data files

for a variety of operational conditions, market

penetrations, and communication strategies to

examine the effectiveness of advanced

analytical techniques in using connected vehicle

data to predict congestion in a way that enables

a transportation system manager to take steps

to mitigate potential bottlenecks.

• Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) San

Mateo Testbed was used to model and simulate

mobility applications including INFLO (queue

warning, speed harmonization, and cooperative

adaptive cruise control) and Multimodal

Intelligent Traffic Signal Systems. Four baseline

scenarios—combining different levels of

demand, incident, and weather conditions—

were used for testing the performance effects of

these applications. They feature four types of

datasets: Cluster Analysis Data, Calibration Data,

Network Files, and Simulation Output.

• AMS Dallas Testbed was used to test several

active transportation and demand management

strategies, including dynamic shoulder lane,

dynamic signal timing, dynamic routing, ramp

metering, and dynamic priced parking. The

Testbed is developed using the DIRECT (Dynamic

Intermodal Routing Environment for Control and

Telematics) software, which was developed by

researchers at Southern Methodist University

and features four types of datasets: Cluster

Analysis Data, Calibration Data, Testbed Files,

and Simulation Results.

  

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint

Program Office funds the RDE to help facilitate

the advancement of research, development,

planning, testing, and deployment of connected

vehicle and traveler‐related applications and ITS.

Public agencies, service providers, researchers,

application developers, and others are invited to

visit the RDE website to explore the available

data environments and resources.  

For more information, contact Jon Obenberger,

202‐493‐3265, jon.obenberger@dot.gov.   

Saxton Lab Supports Testing of Technology

Innovations

The Saxton Transportation Operations

Laboratory recently supported testing of several

technology innovations on roadways that

comprise the Cooperative Vehicle Highway

Testbed at TFHRC.  

As part of the connected vehicle research being

done by Leidos, the Saxton lab conducted field

tests of a virtual conflict monitor. A traffic signal

controller has a malfunction management unit,

or conflict monitor, in every signal cabinet to

ensure that green signal indications are not

displayed simultaneously for conflicting phases.

In the connected vehicle environment, the signal

statuses are sent wirelessly to mobile devices

that use the information in decisionmaking

applications. This project has developed a

software system that will ensure that the

wireless information is also free of conflicting

information related to the signal phases.    

FHWA’s Office of Operations Research provided

a project demonstration of connected vehicle

advanced messaging concepts. The

demonstration showcased ten vehicles driving a

variety of mobility application scenarios

transmitting triggered event data through

The RDE provides access to data to support

the development and testing of ITS‐related

applications and transportation management

operational strategies.
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multiple message formats using both Dedicated

Short Range Communications (DSRC) and

cellular communications. Under the

management of FHWA Operations Research and

through funding provided by the ITS Joint

Program Office, the Automobile Manufacturers

(OEMs) Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership

(CAMP) and the Virginia Tech Transportation

Institute (VTTI) performed the demonstration.  

Ultra Wideband (UWB) radar sensors were

installed and tested at the Saxton lab. The tests

included vehicles organized as closely‐coupled

platoons so that the capability of the sensors to

monitor and support emerging cooperative

adaptive cruise control applications (where

vehicle streams can become much denser than

is possible today) could be gauged. An EAR

project enabled Honeywell Automation and

Control Solutions Labs to develop the sensors

(based on UWB radar technology) to identify

and track vehicle paths on roadways. Although

commercial sensors routinely measure vehicle

passages and speeds and provide average

measures over time intervals, future traffic

management and control systems of connected

and automated vehicles will require more

detailed data (including speeds and locations of

individual vehicles) that is generated more

frequently and with very low latencies.

For more information about testing the virtual

conflict monitor, contact Deborah Curtis, 202‐

493‐3267, deborah.curtis@dot.gov. For more

information about the connected vehicle

advanced messaging demonstration, contact

Dale Thompson, 202‐493‐3270,

dale.thompson@dot.gov. For more information

about testing the UWB radar sensors, contact

Bob Ferlis, 202‐493‐3268, robert.ferlis@dot.gov.   

OSADP Offers Additional ITS Applications to

Download

The Open Source Application Development

Portal (OSADP) has added a number of new ITS‐

related applications that are available for free to

the public. The OSADP is a web‐based portal

that provides access to—and supports the

collaboration, development, and use of—open‐

source applications related to ITS. The new

applications include the Vehicle to Infrastructure

(V2I) Hub; the Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA)

Lite Analysis, Modeling and Simulation (DTALite

AMS); and Glidepath.  

The V2I Hub takes in data from vehicles through

basic safety messages and translates the data to

a National Transportation Communications for

ITS Protocol (NTCIP) that infrastructure

components can understand; and vice versa.

The V2I Hub is a message handler that acts as a

translator and data aggregator/disseminator for

infrastructure components of a connected

vehicle deployment.

The DTALite AMS enables external users to

embed their own simulation controls and traffic

management strategies, such as adaptive ramp

metering, signal control, and work‐zone

management. This code has Dynamic Mobility

Applications built into it. These include Dynamic

Transit Dispatch, Enable Advanced Traveler

Information Systems, and Freight Advanced

Traveler Information Systems.  

Glidepath is a vehicle application that provides

longitudinal control for a modified 2010 Ford

Escape while it transits an intelligent, signalized

intersection. The software’s objective is to

maximize fuel economy as the vehicle passes

through the intersection by minimizing speed

changes. It receives and interprets information

about the signal operation through messages

broadcast by the roadside infrastructure via a

dedicated short range communication radio.   

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s

Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint

Program Office (ITS JPO) funds the OSADP to

help facilitate advancement of the research,

development, planning, testing, and deployment

of connected vehicle and traveler‐related

applications and ITS. The OSADP features source

code, software, applications, and resources

(e.g., documentation, licenses, and data) to
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support the use of, or further development of

these ITS‐related applications.  

Public agencies, service providers, researchers,

application developers, and others are invited to

visit the OSADP at http://itsforge.net and

explore the use of these available applications

and resources.   

For more information about the OSADP, vist

www.itsforge.net/index.php/contact/contact‐

us.   

For more information, contact Peter Huang,

202‐493‐3484, peter.huang@dot.gov.  

SAFETY

TRB to Review FHWA’s Safety Training and

Analysis Center

A TRB team recently performed a review of

FHWA’s newly established Safety Training and

Analysis Center (STAC). This marked the final

step to establishing the STAC as a Secure Data

Enclave (SDE). As an SDE, the STAC will be a site

where researchers can access data that was

collected during the Second Strategic Highway

Research Program’s Naturalistic Driving Study

(SHRP2 NDS) and is administered by TRB under

sponsorship from FHWA.  

In coordination with Virginia Tech

Transportation Institute (VTTI), STAC staff

developed procedures and policies for secure

remote data access and monitoring. This

includes access to personally identifiable

information that will be used for analytical

purposes but not stored at the STAC. Beyond

the use of an SDE, access to original SHRP2 NDS

data requires executed data use license(s) for

each individual research activity. A VTTI‐

controlled application program interface (API)

will provide secure access to SHRP2 NDS data.  

Once the STAC is confirmed as an SDE, VTTI will

provide technical support and work with STAC

personnel and information technology security

staff at TFHRC to support researchers by

maintaining API and secure data access

procedures.

For more information, contact Lincoln Cobb,

202‐493‐3313, lincoln.cobb@dot.gov.   

Webinars to Cover NDS Data and Roadway

Information Database

FHWA’s STAC will conduct a series of webinars

for State DOT research managers and safety,

operations, and planning staff to provide an

introduction to SHRP2 NDS data and the

Roadway Information Database (RID).  

Webinar topics include SHRP2 NDS data

covering driver and vehicle information

(scheduled for November 30, 2016 from 1 to

2:30 p.m. eastern standard time (EST)); the

SHRP2 RID (scheduled for December 14, 2016

from 1 to 2:30 p.m. EST); integration of driver,

vehicle, and roadway data to support addressing

research questions (scheduled for January 18,

2017 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. EST); and NDS and RID

research and outreach opportunities (scheduled

for February 8, 2017 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. EST).

Safety, operations, and planning researchers

working with DOTs, TRB, FHWA, and other

funding agencies will also benefit from these

webinars.  

To register, visit

https://collaboration.fhwa.dot.gov/dot/fhwa/W

C/default.aspx, select the date of the

webinar(s), and click on the registration box.  

For more information, contact Charles Fay, 202‐

493‐3336, charles.fay@dot.gov.   

RECENT PERIODICALS

Public Roads—November/December 2016

This issue includes: Targeting the Crosshairs;

Keeping Climate Impacts at Bay in Boston;

Wondrous Rides Through Nature’s Wonders;

The Road Is a Park, and the Park Is a Road; A

Crown Jewel of Bikeways; and What Drives

Highway Safety Improvements?
                                                                                                                             FHWA R&T Now

It is available online via

www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/16

novdec/index.cfm.   

For more information, contact Lisa Shuler,

lisa.a.shuler@dot.gov.  

  

Innovator: Accelerating Innovation for the

American Driving Experience—

November/December 2016

This issue includes: Nation’s First Highway

Innovation Showcase Recognizes Pennsylvania;

Regional Models of Cooperation: Thinking

Beyond Borders; Delaware Reaps Benefits of

High‐Friction Surface Treatments; Best Practices

Streamline Environmental Documents and

Project Delivery; Traffic Incident Management

Training Reaches Milestone; States Innovate!;

and Events.

The issue is available online via  

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/innovator

/issue57/3dIssue/   

For more information, contact Julie Zirlin,

Julie.Zirlin@dot.gov.  

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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