FHWA R&T Now ~January 2009~

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

Federal Highway Administration 

ADMINISTRATION/GENERAL 

- Ray H. LaHood Becomes the 16th U.S. Secretary of TransportationRay H. LaHood became the sixteenth U.S. Secretary of Transportation just before 1:00 p.m. Friday, 

January 23. LaHood was joined for an official swearing-in ceremony in his new office by his wife Kathy, 

son Sam and fellow Illinoisan and Assistant Majority Leader, U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin. The oath of 

office was administered by Linda Washington, Assistant Secretary for Administration, and took place 

before an audience of his new staff and members of the Department of Transportation transition team. 

The full Senate confirmed LaHood by voice vote on January 22, following his being reported out of the 

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee just the day before, on January 21. 

http://fastlane.dot.gov/

-Michael Trentacoste Named New Associate Administrator for Research, Development, and 

Technology, and Director of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterMichael has served the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as Director, Office of Safety, Research, 

and Development, since 1999. In this capacity, he led a professional staff in developing and executing 

FHWA’s Safety, Research, and Development Program. Prior to this position, Michael served for 3 years as 

Director, Office of Highway Safety, with FHWA. Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Transportation from 

Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College. 

-Dr. Jonathan Porter, New Chief Scientist for RD&TDr. Porter was previously with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Research and Engineering. 

He provided oversight, coordination, and guidance for defense laboratory management and basic research 

initiatives. Among many other duties, he provided policy guidance, leadership, coordination, and oversight 

for the DoD Multi- disciplinary University Research Initiative Program. 

-Economic RecoveryCongress is drafting economic recovery legislation which will include significant new funding for 

transportation infrastructure. While the details and timing of the proposal are still being debated, the 

legislation could become law as early as mid-February. The Federal Highway Administration stands ready 

to implement the economic recovery and is taking steps to ensure effective coordination and support among 

federal agencies as well as preparing our partners and stakeholders to implement the recovery legislation as 

expeditiously as possible. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/

-Technical Publications Catalog, October 2007 – September 2008- 

The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) is 

pleased to present our fourth Technical Publications Catalog. This is a comprehensive listing of our 
research documents published from October 2007 through September 2008, and includes listings of fact 

sheets, flyers, product briefs, reports, summaries, and TechBriefs.

http://www.tfhrc.gov/techpubcat/09019.htm

INFRASTRUCTURE 

-Chemistry Research Facility Fact SheetThe Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Chemistry Research Facility (CRF) conducts fundamental 

studies of highway materials from a chemical point of view. Investigations into the chemical mechanisms 

involved in well-known distress modes in concrete and asphalt pavements helps to generate new testing 

methods and foster the development of new materials. CRF validates Federal Highway Administration 

sponsored off-site research, offers unbiased support for State agencies and industry partners, and assists 

with the forensic evaluation of pavement failures. 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/about/08059.htm

terry.arnold@fhwa.dot.gov 202-493-3305 

PAVEMENTS 

-LTTP Newsletter, Fall 2008- 

This issue includes: Don’t Pull Those Signs Down!; LTPP Computed Parameter: Frost Penetration; LTPP 

Database Tips; Seasonal Monitoring Program; and, In Brief. 

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

SAFETY 

-FHWA Office of Safety R&D Announces a Transportation Pooled Fund Study (TPFS) to Support 

Motorcycle Crash Causation StudyMotorcycle rider fatalities rose 127 percent between 1997 and 2006 in the U.S. In 2007, while overall 

motor vehicle related fatalities decreased almost 4 percent from 2006, motorcycle crash-related fatalities 

(5,154) increased by 7 percent. The FHWA is sponsoring a Transportation Pooled Fund Study to provide 

support to the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study, which is based on comprehensive on-scene, in-depth 

investigations of motorcycle crashes. States are invited to join this TPFS to help increase our understanding 

of motorcycle crashes, and arrest the growth in the resulting casualties. SP&R and FHWA-administered 

Section 406 funds may be used to support this effort. For more information go to: 

http://www.pooledfund.org/projectdetails.asp?id=1221&status=1 

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

-FHWA Office of Safety R&D Announces Advanced Crash Analysis Program (ACAP)- 

 The FHWA has entered into a 2 year contract (with 3 option years) with the National Crash Analysis 

Center, at the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science, to support the 

agency’s new Advanced Crash Analysis Program (ACAP). ACAP’s primary focus areas will be to develop 

and apply advanced analysis techniques, including finite element modeling, crash simulations, vehicle 
design and dynamics studies, clinical analysis of crash data, occupant risk analyses, and impact testing to 

improve transportation safety and security. This program will launch new efforts to validate vehicle 

models developed in reverse engineering, undertake analyses of vehicle dynamics in road departures, and 

analyze rollover crashes and potential remedies. It will also apply crash dummy and human body models to 

investigate the risks to vehicle occupants, and will analyze and test devices aimed at enhancing 

infrastructure security. These efforts will enhance the understanding of the causes of roadside crashes, 

evaluate the effectiveness of various roadside safety treatments, and provide the basis for future 

crashworthiness requirements. ACAP will also continue to support the crash simulation community by 

creating finite element vehicle models and material models, and making them available for public use. For 

more information, go to: http://www.tfhrc.gov/about/ncac.htm. 

kenneth.opiela@fhwa.dot.gov 202-493-3371 

-Test Track and Driving Simulator Evaluations of Warnings to Prevent Right-Angle Crashes at 

Signalized IntersectionsThe Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety Research and Development (R&D) is 

focused on improving highway operations and safety by increasing the knowledge and understanding of the 

effects of intersection design on operational efficiency and safety. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) 

have been shown to have both safety and operational benefits. This study was conducted to investigate the 

potential for an ITS countermeasure to reduce the number of collisions that result from red-light violations 

at signalized intersections.

http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08070/index.htm

-SafetyAnalyst BrochureSafetyAnalyst is a set of software tools under development to help State and local highway agencies 

advance their programming of site-specific safety improvements. 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/09023/index.htm

-Fact Sheet: Office of Safety Research and Development (R&D)- 

The FHWA Office of Safety Research and Development (R&D) is helping to reduce highway crashes and 

related fatalities and injuries by developing and implementing safety innovations through a program of 

nationally coordinated research and technology. This fact sheet highlights selections from this broad 

research portfolio. 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08025/index.htm

-Intersection SafetyNew Summary Report released: “Two Low-Cost Safety Concepts for Two-Way STOP-Controlled, Rural 

Intersections on High-Speed Two-Lane, Two-Way Roadways.” The FHWA Office of Safety R&D has 

released a summary report of research into the effectiveness of two low-cost strategies for improving safety 

at intersections of two-lane, two-way roadways with two-way STOP-control. The strategies are: (1) 

Narrowing the lane widths to 9-10 ' using rumble strips on outside shoulders and in a painted yellow 

median island on major road approaches, and (2) Installing channelized separator islands on side road 

approaches with supplemental STOP signs. The research indicates that operational and safety benefits can 

be expected from both concepts. The report is available at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/intersect.htm , and 

can be ordered from report.center@fhwa.dot.gov. 
For more information, contact: 

joe.bared@dot.gov 202-493-3314

OPERATIONS 

-FHWA Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Research SymposiumThe Office of Operations Research and Development hosted an FHWA Analysis, Modeling, and 

Simulation Research Symposium at Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center on December 3-4. The 

purpose of the symposium was to: 1. share information among all offices on transportation related analysis 

and modeling activities being undertaken; 2. define best practices; and 3. develop analysis and modeling 

priority topic areas for collaboration among all offices for further joint efforts in research and resolution. 

The group will reconvene on May 27, 2009 to follow-up on topic area action plans. The 45 attendees 

included representatives from Safety Headquarters and R&D, Infrastructure, Operations Headquarters and 

R&D, Planning and Environment, Policy, the Resource Center, the Division offices, FTA, and RITA/JPO. 

dale.thompson@fhwa.dot.gov 202-493-3420 

-Comparative Analysis Report: The Benefits of Using Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work 

ZonesFHWA has released a new report on its study of the effectiveness of using intelligent transportation 

systems (ITS) in work zones. This document provides insights into the mobility and safety benefits of using 

ITS for work zone traffic management, as well as tips, and lessons learned. The information presented is 

based on an FHWA study that examined five case study sites: I-40 outside Winston-Salem in North 

Carolina; I-30 between Benton and Little Rock in Arkansas; US-131 in Kalamazoo, Michigan; I-35 in 

Hillsboro, Texas; and DC-295 in Washington, DC. This report follows on an earlier summary report of the 

same study and presents a more detailed discussion, including data and analysis for each site. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/its/wz_comp_analysis/index.htm.

OPPORTUNITIES 

-Call for 2009 National Roadway Safety Awards NominationsThe Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway Safety Foundation co-sponsor the program 

biennially to provide national recognition for exemplary roadway safety efforts and to publicize awardwinning “best practices". Federal, State, regional, and local organizations are eligible to apply, as are 

companies and associations. Awards are given for infrastructure, operational and program-related 

improvements and programs that address safety needs. The 2009 nomination application materials provide 

more detailed information and can be downloaded from the program Web site: 

http://www.roadwaysafetyawards.org/

For more information, contact: 

janet.ewing@dot.gov 202-366-8029 

RECENT PERIODICALS 

-FOCUS Newsletter - November 2008- 
This issue includes: FHWA Develops Resources to Prevent and Mitigate ASR in Concrete; Learn More 

About Long-Term Bridge Performance at the TRB Annual Meeting, Excellence in Highway Design 2008, 

Highway Technology Calendar; A Core Curriculum for Construction Contract Administration; Highways 

for LIFE Extends 2009 Project Application Deadline; and, The Place to Go for LTPP Data and 

Information. 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/nov08/index.htm

lgpope@woodwardcom.com

-FOCUS Newsletter - December 2008- 

This issue includes: Pavement Preservation at Your Fingertips: FHWA Resources Offer Guidance and 

Training; Pavement Management System Key to Improving Highway Condition in Washington State; 

FHWA Publication Resources; Advancing Pavement Performance Measurement in the United States and 

Europe; Highway Technology Calendar; Partnering for Progress: The 2008 National Hydraulic 

Engineering Conference; and, FHWA Sponsors Concrete Materials Seminars. 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/dec08/index.htm

lgpope@woodwardcom.com

-Public Roads – November/December 2008- 

This issue includes: 1. The Quest for Zero Fatalities: A comprehensive program aims to eliminate deaths 

on Utah’s roadways. 2. LTAP/TTAP: 25 Years of Service: Local and Tribal Technical Assistance 

Programs rise to the challenge of meeting transportation needs at the local level. 3. Higher Gas Efficiency 

Equals Lower Fuel Revenues: A Texas study shows that drastically higher motor fuel taxes—or something 

else—will be needed soon to compensate for revenue losses from increasing vehicle fuel efficiency. 4. 

Deploying Technology in Challenging Terrain: Now 25 years old, the Federal Lands Highway Program is 

still making out-of-the-way places safely accessible. 5. Bringing Freight Lessons Home: Lessons from 

other nations on improving freight transportation indicate the need to set a clear national vision and 

coordinate public and private action effectively. 6. News on Nanotechnology: Recent nanoscience research 

improves understanding of cement and concrete properties and looks to the next generation of highway 

pavements. 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/08nov/index.htm

dawn.vanlandingham@fhwa.dot.gov

-Public Roads – January/February 2009- 

This issue includes: 1. Bicyclist-and Pedestrian-Only Roundabouts: Facilities dedicated solely to 

nonmotorized traffic are an emerging development for improving mobility and reducing injury and fatality 

rates. 2. The Sound of Safety: Arizona’s findings point to centerline rumble strips and reducing injury and 

fatality rates. 3. UHPC Making Strides: Progress is continuing on implementing ultra-high performance 

concrete technology on the U.S. highway system, even while some challenges remain. 4. Bringing 

Innovations to Market: FHWA’s Technology Partnerships Program smoothes deployment in the 

transportation industry. 5. Fostering a Culture of Ethics: Establishing and maintaining strong moral 

standards in the workplace are essential building public trust and delivering the transportation program 

effectively. 6. Electronic Freight Management: USDOT’s new EFM system provides an accurate, efficient, 

and inexpensive Web-based method of tracking the transport of goods across the world. 
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/09janfeb/index.htm

dawn.vanlandingham@fhwa.dot.gov

-Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – December 2008- 

This issue includes: FHWA Sponsors Peer Exchange on Adaptation of Transportation Systems to Climate 

Change; National Action Plan Vision for 2025: A Framework for Change; Uncle Sam’s Rusty Toolkit; 

VMT & Climate Policy Dialogue; FHWA Hosts Second Federal Interagency Meeting on Climate Change, 

Transportation and Land Use; California Governor Directs State Agencies to Plan for Sea Level Rise and 

Climate Impacts; California Air Resources Board Approves Climate Change Scoping Plan; Hawaii 

Commits to Electric Vehicles; A Fare Choice: How Rhode Island Can Invest in Public Transit and Energy 

Independence; New FHWA Sustainable Transport and Climate Change Team; and, 8th Annual New 

Partners for Smart Growth Conference. 

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

-Innovator–Accelerating Innovation for the American Driving Experience-December/JanuaryThis issue includes: Oregon DOT Engages Communities Through Students; Maine Highways for LIFE 

Project Meets Goals; All-Weather Pavement Marking System Ready for Test; Workshop Tackles Tough 

Questions About Performance Contracting; Virginia Bridge Project Satisfies Customers; Whitetopping 

Project a First for North Dakota; and, Calendar.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl/innovator/issue10.cfm

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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