FACTSHEET

December 2023

TRANSPORTATION POOLED 

FUND PROGRAM

Leveraging resources to achieve common research goals.

In its over 45 years of existence, the Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Program 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 TPF 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.

Source: FHWA. The pie chart above shows the TPF projects 

based on their focus.

Over 750 successful projects 

have been launched.
December 2023

FACTSHEET

TRANSPORTATION POOLED FUND PROGRAM

2

© 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 bicyclist-relat

safety research. The study is using 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.

(1) 

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 of autonomous and connected vehicle 

technology. Learn more about this project at 

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

(2)

References

1. National Cooperative Highway Research 

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. National Cooperative Highway Research Program. 

2019. “Autonomous Maintenance Technology 

(AMT)” (web page). https://pooledfund.org/Details/

Study/632, last accessed January 6, 2021.

3. National Cooperative Highway Research Program. 

2023. “TPF: Transportation Pooled Fund” 

(website). 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/.

(3) 

Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-24-

HRTM-10/12-23(Web

https://doi.org/10.21949/1521482