FACT SHEET

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center

Office of Corporate Research, Technology, 

and Innovation Management (HRTM)

HRTM oversees a national highway research agenda that closes critical knowledge gaps, 

identifies collaboration opportunities, and accelerates the deployment of innovations and 

technologies. The office’s key responsibilities include providing strategic direction and 

coordination for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) research agenda and 

programs, implementing research innovations, and communicating research results.

HRTM oversees a national highway research agenda that closes 

critical knowledge gaps, identifies collaboration opportunities, 

and accelerates the deployment of innovations and technologies.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND 

RESEARCH PLANNING

HRTM oversees and performs 

three core functions:

• Strategic planning: HRTM 

collaborates with the U.S. 

Department of Transportation’s 

(USDOT) Office of the 

Secretary and other operating 

administrations to develop the 

USDOT research, development, 

and technology strategic plan.(1)

• Legislative and intergovernmental 

action: HRTM provides legislative 

analysis and support for research 

and technology (R&T).

• Budget preparation and 

execution: HRTM leads the 

coordination and development of 

FHWA’s Annual Modal Research 

Plan, spending plan, annual R&T 

budget request, and annual R&T 

budget delivery plan.(2)

RESEARCH COORDINATION

The office works with agencies 

and organizations in the United 

States and abroad through:

• Liaisons and partnerships: 

HRTM works with FHWA 

division offices on R&T 

issues related to the State 

Planning and Research 

Program, the Transportation

Research Board, and the 

American Association of 

State Highway and 

Transportation Officials.

• International exchanges: 

HRTM leverages the 

Turner-Fairbank Highway 

Research Center’s (TFHRC) 

associate membership to 

participate in the Forum of 

European National Highway 

Research Laboratories.

RESEARCH EXECUTION

HRTM implements a portion of the 

FHWA R&T portfolio and manages 

the following programs:

• Exploratory Advanced Research 

Program: Leverages cuttingedge science and technology to 

meet the needs of the Nation’s 

transportation systems, focusing 

on longer term, higher risk, 

higher potential research.

• National Research Council 

Research Associateship Program: 

Provides postdoctoral scientists 

and engineers the opportunity to 

conduct transportation research 

at FHWA.

Source: FHWA.
FACT SHEET

Office of Corporate Research, Technology, 

and Innovation Management

• Small Business Innovation 

Research Program: Encourages 

domestic small businesses 

to engage in research and 

development that address 

high-priority USDOT research 

areas. The program’s goal is 

to develop and commercialize 

products and services that meet 

the needs of end users, including 

State DOTs, local transportation 

agencies, and the construction 

industry, and advance USDOT 

strategic goals.

• Transportation Pooled Fund 

Program: Allows State DOTs, 

FHWA, and other organizations 

to pool funds, resources, and 

expertise to conduct joint 

transportation research projects.

RESEARCH TRANSITION

HRTM evaluates and assesses FHWA 

research programs and projects and 

supports the transition of technology 

from laboratory to implementation. 

Additionally, the office aims to 

accelerate the adoption of proven 

innovative practices and technologies 

through the following resources:

• R&T Evaluation Program: 

Assesses project performance, 

communicates the benefits 

of R&T projects and programs 

to stakeholders, and ensures 

that FHWA is expending 

public resources efficiently 

and effectively.

• Technology Transfer Program: 

Provides support services for 

moving research from the 

laboratory to implementation 

and transfers market-ready 

technology to the appropriate 

FHWA program office, 

Federal agency, and local or 

State government.

• FHWA Research Library: 

Provides research services, 

including literature searches 

and digital resources.

MARKETING AND 

COMMUNICATIONS

HRTM informs the public and 

stakeholders on current FHWAsponsored research through 

the following:

• Marketing and communications: 

HRTM manages and disseminates

all published communications

and information related to FHWA 

R&T programs.

• Publications and exhibits: HRTM 

produces research-related 

publications, including Public 

Roads and R&T Now, which 

highlight research activities and 

best practices in transportation.(3,4)

• Website management: HRTM 

manages the content and 

development of the TFHRC 

website in support of all FHWA 

R&T programs.

REFERENCES

1. USDOT. 2023. Research, 

Development, and Technology 

Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 

2022–2026. Washington, 

DC: U.S. Department of 

Transportation. https://www.

transportation.gov/sites/dot.

gov/files/2023-01/USDOT%20

RDT%20Strategic%20Plan%20

FY22-26_010523_508.pdf, last 

accessed November 1, 2023.

2. USDOT. 2023. “RD&T 

Annual Modal Research 

Plans” (web page). https://

www.transportation.gov/

administrations/assistantsecretary-research-andtechnology/rdt-annual-modalresearch-plans, last accessed 

November 7, 2023.

3. FHWA. 2023. “Public Roads 

Magazine” (web page). 

https://highways.dot.gov/

public-roads/home, last 

accessed November 1, 2023.

4. FHWA. 2023. “R&T Now 

Home” (web page). https://

highways.dot.gov/research/

publications/RTNow, last 

accessed November 1, 2023.

HRTM evaluates and assesses FHWA research 

programs and projects and supports the transition 

of technology from laboratory to implementation.

FHWA-HRT-24-015

HRTM-20/01-24(50)E

Recommended citation: Federal Highway Administration, 

Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and 

Innovation Management (HRTM) (Washington, DC: 2023) 

https://doi.org/10.21949/1521904