Operations and Intelligent Transportation Systems Research
The Office of Operations Research and Development (R&D) conducts research that supports two of Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) key strategic goals:
- Improved mobility – conducting research to develop and improve Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and other advanced technologies to evaluate and mitigate recurring and non-recurring congestion.
- Improved safety – conducting research to reduce crashes through improved traffic signal operations and vehicle-infrastructure cooperative systems.
Overall, this research will enable the surface transportation system to be operated and managed more efficiently to move people and goods quicker, smarter, and safer.
The research conducted and managed by the Office of Operations R&D staff is performed through partnership and cooperation with the FHWA Office of Operations, FHWA Office of Safety, FHWA Office of Safety R&D, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) ITS Joint Program Office (JPO), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), State and local transportation agencies, universities, and private industry organizations. To complete this research, the Office of Operations R&D is organized into two teams:
The Travel Management Team performs research on hardware and software tools and strategies to analyze transportation operational improvements, reduce congestion on surface streets and freeways, and mitigate delays in work zones. Learn more about our research, products, and services.
The Enabling Technologies Team performs research on the development and integration of technologies that will enable the deployment of advanced ITS and operations systems, such as cooperative vehicle-infrastructure collision avoidance systems. Examples of enabling technologies include communication systems, global positioning systems (GPS), traffic control algorithms, and traffic sensors. Learn more about our research, products, and services.
The Office of Operations R&D research is supported by two laboratories at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC), which are connected to one another via a fiber optic communications link:
- Traffic Research Laboratory (TReL). The TReL contains visualization, simulation, communication, and traffic control software and hardware to allow the safe and efficient testing and development of advanced traffic control and management technologies and strategies before they are deployed in the field.
- Intelligent Intersection Traffic Control Laboratory. An outdoor roadway laboratory equipped with the most advanced technologies in the ITS and traffic control industries. The lab supports FHWA and USDOT research and technology development programs by providing a test facility for research activities, such as the Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems (CICAS) and Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) initiatives.
In addition, a Road Weather Information System (RWIS) and Global Positioning System Surface Observation System (GSOS) are located at TFHRC and integrated with the TReL to provide real-time weather information.
Read about staff members and their responsibilities - Operations R&D Staff.
Read about the status of Operations R&D projects over the past two years in the RD&T (research, development, and technology) FY (fiscal year) 2005 Research Project Status Summary.
Read about key current Operations R&D projects and upcoming milestones in the RD&T FY 2006-2007 Performance Plan.
