FACTSHEET

August 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.

The pie chart above shows the TPF projects by diversity.

Over 750 successful 

projects launched.
August 2022

FACTSHEET

TRANSPORTATION POOLED FUND PROGRAM

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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.

© 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 pedestria

and bicyclist-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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Over $600 million 

in research funding 

provided!
August 2022

FACTSHEET

TRANSPORTATION POOLED FUND PROGRAM

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For More Information, Contact: 

Tricia Sergeson

TPF Program Manager

(202) 493-316

patricia.sergeson@dot.gov

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.

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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Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-21-

HRTM-10/01-21(Web

https://doi.org/10.21949/152196

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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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.

© Colorado Department of Transportation.

The Colorado DOT is testing an autonomous-truck‐mounted

attenuator in live work zones to evaluate the safety benefits of 

autonomous impact protection vehicles in road maintenance.