The Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty's research activities support program and policy objectives that help the FHWA create the best transportation system in the world. The research primarily addresses topics associated with comprehensive intermodal and multi-modal transportation planning, enhancement of community and social benefits of highway transportation, and improvements to the quality of the natural environment by reducing highway-related pollution and by protecting and enhancing ecosystems. In addition, research on the fair and prudent acquisition and management of real property is undertaken.
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
The Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU) was signed by President George W. Bush on August 10, 2005. This legislation provides funding between Fiscal Years 2005-2009 for highways, highway safety, and transit Federal surface transportation programs. The Office of Planning, Environment and Realty is administering the following research programs/projects within Title V of SAFETEA-LU:
Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) -Section 5207.
Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development - Section 5504
Transportation Economic and Land Use System (TELUS) - Section 5204(g)(2)
Planning Research
The FHWA's Planning Research focuses on providing quality data, analysis and information to transportation planners and decision-makers. One area of research is Transportation Planning Capacity Building where tools and resources are provided for State DOTs, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, rural and small communities, and tribal governments and other institutions to plan and fund transportation investments and operations. Other Planning Research initiatives support statewide and intermodal planning, safety conscious planning, linking planning to the NEPA process in addition to operations, forecasting transport demand and system changes, smart growth, and transportation land use.
Environmental Research
The FHWA's Environmental Research focuses on balancing concerns for the natural environment while adding value to the community. Areas of research are environmental streamlining, noise, air quality and global climate change, wetlands, water quality and ecosystems, and Tribal government consultation.
The FHWA Environmental Research Program (ERP) Projects Database
Environmental Research: A Decade of Accomplishments 1990 - 2000 or PDF - (2.9 MB)
Environmental Research Needs Conference Proceedings, November 14-16, 1996
- TRB Special Report 268 - Surface Transportation Environmental Research: A Long-Term Strategy
Realty Research
The FHWA's Realty Research encourages local scale effectiveness and national scale relevance for the acquisition and management of highway real property interests. Realty Research activities develop methodology, technology, and systems appropriate for right-of-way agencies. Technological innovations are encouraged for property management routines such as integrated database resources and Internet access, particularly important for Outdoor Advertising Control and access management concerns. Other Realty Research incorporates advanced communication and training systems designed for new and established professionals. Realty Research continually supports the right-of-way information knowledge necessary for effective professional performance.
Other FHWA Research
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