FACTSHEET

November 2022

TRANSPORTATION POOLED 

FUND PROGRAM

Leveraging resources to achieve common research goals.

In its over 45 years of existence, the Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) has enabled 

public and private entities to combine resources to conduct high‐priority transportation 

research. By pooling funds and expertise, participants develop innovative solutions at a 

lower cost while extending the reach and impact of their research.

Who Can Partner in a TPF Program?

Studies must be initiated and led by either the 

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or a State 

department of transportation (DOT). To help find 

study partners, the lead agency posts its proposed 

topic on the TPF Program website. In addition to 

State DOTs and FHWA, other Federal agencies, 

regional and local agencies, academic institutions, 

professional associations, and private industry 

can join the study as partners by pledging funds or 

other resources. 

Past studies have had as few as 2 participants, 

while others have attracted more than 40. Once a 

study is underway, the lead agency contracts for 

the research, administers the project, and convenes 

a technical advisory committee of representatives 

from each project partner. TPF Program studies 

have a maximum duration of 5 years. If the 

research needs to continue after the 5-year period,

a new solicitation and project on the same topic can 

be generated.

Combine Resources and Share the Benefits

Collaboration between TPF Program participants 

eliminates duplicative research efforts, allowing for 

more efficient use of funds. The pooled fund lead 

agency manages the contract-related and funding

issues for the project, allowing other members to 

focus on the study’s content. This leveraging of 

resources enables some agencies to participate in 

large‐scale research efforts that would otherwise 

not be feasible.

For State DOTs, TPF Program studies are typically 

funded with State Planning and Research (SP&R) 

funds. State DOTs use SP&R funds to carry 

out transportation studies as well as research, 

development, and technology (RD&T) transfer 

activities. SP&R is often a State DOT’s only 

source of funds to conduct RD&T activities.

Beyond its funding and administrative advantages, 

the variety of expertise and experience brought 

together for a TPF study can have a much broader 

impact. The TPF Program focuses on national

and regional‐related transportation research, 

planning, and technology transfer activities in a 

range of categories, including pavements, bridges, 

design, safety, administration, environment, 

security, and maintenance. The following studies 

illustrate the important work of the TPF program.

The pie chart above shows the TPF projects by diversity.

Over 750 successful 

projects launched.
November 2022

FACTSHEET

TRANSPORTATION POOLED FUND PROGRAM

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© www.pedbikeimages.org / Chicago Department of 

Transportation. This photo demonstrates several bicycle 

and pedestrian safety solutions.

Fostering Innovation in Pedestrian and 

Bicycle Transportation

Transportation agencies across the Nation are 

seeking ways to improve pedestrian and bicyclist 

safety and mobility. There has been a rapid rise 

in the demand for research on a wide variety of 

pedestrian and bicycle issues in many different 

settings and situations. Addressing this demand, 

FHWA is collaborating with 14 State DOTs through 

an active TPF study called “Fostering Innovation 

and Bicycle Transportation Pooled Fund Study” 

that supports short-term pedestrian- and bicycli

related safety research. The study will be able to 

use the combined $945,000 in project funding to 

focus on bicycle and pedestrian network planning, 

safety, design issues, traffic control devices, and 

other relevant issues. Learn more about this project 

at https://pooledfund.org/Details/Study/622.

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Autonomous Maintenance Technology 

Pooled Fund

Technologies for autonomous and connected 

vehicles are rapidly improving. Drawing on this 

technological advancement, the Colorado DOT is 

leading an active TPF study called “Autonomous 

Maintenance Technology (AMT)” to develop 

autonomous technologies for roadway work zone 

applications. The 15 State DOTs involved in the 

TPF study are able to use the combined $1 million 

of project funding to improve the safety, efficiency, 

and quality of roadway work. This project will 

also provide a better understanding of real-world

applications for autonomous and connected 

vehicle technology. Learn more about this project 

at https://pooledfund.org/Details/Study/632.

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References

1. Transportation Pooled Fund Program. 2019. 

“Fostering Innovation in Pedestrian and Bicycle 

Transportation Pooled Fund Study” (web page). https://

pooledfund.org/Details/Study/622, last accessed 

January 6, 2021.

2.Transportation Pooled Fund Program. 2019. 

“Autonomous Maintenance Technology (AMT)” (web 

page). https://pooledfund.org/Details/Study/632, last 

accessed January 6, 2021.

3.Transportation Pooled Fund Program. n.d. “Welcome 

to the Transportation Pooled Fund Program Web Site” 

(web page). https://www.pooledfund.org/, last accessed 

January 6, 2021.

For More Information, Contact: 

Tricia Sergeson

TPF Program Manager

(202) 493-316

patricia.sergeson@dot.gov

Make an Impact Through 

a TPF Study! 

The TPF Program is a great resource to combine 

limited funds to address important transportation 

issues. Learn more about initiating a TPF study 

and browse the list of open solicitations on the TPF 

website at https://www.pooledfund.org/.

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Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-21-

HRTM-10/01-21(Web

https://doi.org/10.21949/152196