New Web Site Puts Highway Specifications at Your Fingertips
Thousands of highway construction specifications from all 50 States,
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are now instantly available
online at the new National Highway Specifications Web site (http://fhwapap04.fhwa.dot.gov/nhswp/index.jsp).
The site is a collaborative effort of the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO). It serves as a clearinghouse and electronic library
where users can search, review, cross-reference, and download current
specifications and other specification-related documents. Previously,
locating and retrieving current specifications was a time consuming
and often tedious process. While more State highway agencies are putting
their construction specifications online, finding and navigating the
various Web sites can still be difficult. And in addition to the various
State specifications, more than 20 national trade organizations and
several Federal agencies issue specifications and rules affecting highway
construction.
"Consolidation of these multiple sources of documentation in one
place will benefit highway agencies, contractors, construction engineers,
and researchers. Electronic access, indexing, and search features will
save time and money for all users while improving practices and promoting
higher quality in construction end products," says Ken Jacoby of
FHWA.
Documents included on the site are:
- Approved standard construction specifications and supplements from
departments of transportation in the 50 States, District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico.
- Current approved standard specifications and supplements from FHWA's
Federal Lands Highway Divisions.
- AASHTO Guide Specifications and American Society for Testing and
Materials' Summaries.
- Innovative provisions such as quality assurance, warranty, and performance-related
specifications.
The site also features discussion forums on such topics as performance-related
specifications, design-build, warranty specifications, and quality assurance.
And users can find links to specification-related Web sites hosted by
highway agencies and others. In consolidating information nationwide
on highway specifications, "the National Highway Specifications
Web site is helping to advance the concepts of e-government by using
the power of the Internet to remove Federal and State Government organizational
barriers, improve the operational efficiency of the Government, and
expand the range and quality of government services available to the
public," says Jacoby.
 |
| Thousands of highway construction specifications
are now available online at the National Highway Specifications
Web site. |
To learn more about the National Highway Specifications Web site, contact
Ken Jacoby at FHWA, 202-366-6503 (fax: 202-366-9981; email: ken.jacoby@fhwa.dot.gov).
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Articles in this issue:
New Web Site Puts Highway Specifications at Your Fingertips
FHWA Launches Transportation Security Web Site
Proposed Work Zone Regulations to Improve Safety,
Mobility
Foamed Asphalt a Success on Federal Lands Highway
Moving from Theory to Practice at the Fifth National
Conferences on Asset Management
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