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FHWA R&T Now - January 2009
A news update of research, technology, and development from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
PDF Version (45 kb)
General/Administrative
Ray H. LaHood Becomes the 16th U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Ray H. LaHood became the sixteenth U.S. Secretary of Transportation just before 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 23. LaHood was joined for an official swearing-in ceremony in his new office by his wife Kathy, son Sam and fellow Illinoisan and Assistant Majority Leader, U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin. The oath of office was administered by Linda Washington, Assistant Secretary for Administration, and took place before an audience of his new staff and members of the Department of Transportation transition team.
The full Senate confirmed LaHood by voice vote on January 22, following his being reported out of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee just the day before, on January 21.
http://fastlane.dot.gov/
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Michael Trentacoste Named New Associate Administrator for Research, Development, and Technology, and Director of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
Michael has served the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as Director, Office of Safety, Research, and Development, since 1999. In this capacity, he led a professional staff in developing and executing FHWA's Safety, Research, and Development Program. Prior to this position, Michael served for 3 years as Director, Office of Highway Safety, with FHWA. Michael holds a Master's Degree in Transportation from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College.
Dr. Jonathan Porter, New Chief Scientist for RD&T
Dr. Porter was previously with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Research and Engineering. He provided oversight, coordination, and guidance for defense laboratory management and basic research initiatives. Among many other duties, he provided policy guidance, leadership, coordination, and oversight for the DoD Multi- disciplinary University Research Initiative Program. Economic Recovery
Congress is drafting economic recovery legislation which will include significant new funding for transportation infrastructure. While the details and timing of the proposal are still being debated, the legislation could become law as early as mid-February. The Federal Highway Administration stands ready to implement the economic recovery and is taking steps to ensure effective coordination and support among federal agencies as well as preparing our partners and stakeholders to implement the recovery legislation as expeditiously as possible.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/
Technical Publications Catalog, October 2007 – September 2008
The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) is pleased to present our fourth Technical Publications Catalog. This is a comprehensive listing of our research documents published from October 2007 through September 2008, and includes listings of fact sheets, flyers, product briefs, reports, summaries, and TechBriefs.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/techpubcat/09019.htm
INFRASTRUCTURE
Chemistry Research Facility Fact Sheet
The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Chemistry Research Facility (CRF) conducts fundamental studies of highway materials from a chemical point of view. Investigations into the chemical mechanisms involved in well-known distress modes in concrete and asphalt pavements helps to generate new testing methods and foster the development of new materials. CRF validates Federal Highway Administration sponsored off-site research, offers unbiased support for State agencies and industry partners, and assists with the forensic evaluation of pavement failures.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/about/08059.htm
terry.arnold@fhwa.dot.gov
202-493-3305
PAVEMENTS
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LTTP Newsletter, Fall 2008
This issue includes: Don't Pull Those Signs Down!; LTPP Computed Parameter: Frost Penetration; LTPP Database Tips; Seasonal Monitoring Program; and, In Brief.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/ltpp/news.cfm
SAFETY
FHWA Office of Safety R&D Announces a Transportation Pooled Fund Study (TPFS) to Support Motorcycle Crash Causation Study
Motorcycle rider fatalities rose 127 percent between 1997 and 2006 in the U.S. In 2007, while overall motor vehicle related fatalities decreased almost 4 percent from 2006, motorcycle crash-related fatalities (5,154) increased by 7 percent. The FHWA is sponsoring a Transportation Pooled Fund Study to provide support to the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study, which is based on comprehensive on-scene, in-depth investigations of motorcycle crashes. States are invited to join this TPFS to help increase our understanding of motorcycle crashes, and arrest the growth in the resulting casualties. SP&R and FHWA-administered Section 406 funds may be used to support this effort. For more information go to:
http://www.pooledfund.org/projectdetails.asp?id=1221&status=1
carol.tan@fhwa.dot.gov
202-493-3315
kenneth.opiela@fhwa.dot.gov
202-493-3371
SafetyAnalyst
Brochure
SafetyAnalyst is a set of software tools under development to help State and local highway agencies advance their programming of site-specific safety improvements.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/09023/index.htm
Fact Sheet: Office of Safety Research and Development (R&D)
The FHWA Office of Safety Research and
Development (R&D) is helping to reduce highway crashes and related
fatalities and injuries by developing and implementing safety innovations
through a program of nationally coordinated research and technology. This fact sheet highlights selections from
this broad research portfolio.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08025/index.htm Intersection Safety
New Summary Report released: "Two Low-Cost Safety Concepts for Two-Way STOP-Controlled, Rural Intersections on High-Speed Two-Lane, Two-Way Roadways." The FHWA Office of Safety R&D has released a summary report of research into the effectiveness of two low-cost strategies for improving safety at intersections of two-lane, two-way roadways with two-way STOP-control. The strategies are: (1) Narrowing the lane widths to 9-10 ' using rumble strips on outside shoulders and in a painted yellow median island on major road approaches, and (2) Installing channelized separator islands on side road approaches with supplemental STOP signs. The research indicates that operational and safety benefits can be expected from both concepts. The report is available at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/intersect.htm, and can be ordered from
report.center@fhwa.dot.gov.
For more information,
contact:
joe.bared@dot.gov
202-493-3314
OPERATIONS
FHWA Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Research Symposium
The Office of Operations Research and Development hosted an FHWA Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Research Symposium at
Turner-Fairbank Highway
Research Center
on December 3-4. The purpose of the symposium was
to: 1. share information among all offices on transportation related analysis
and modeling activities being undertaken; 2. define best practices; and 3.
develop analysis and modeling priority topic areas for collaboration among all
offices for further joint efforts in research and resolution. The group will reconvene on May 27, 2009 to
follow-up on topic area action plans. The 45 attendees included representatives from Safety Headquarters and
R&D, Infrastructure, Operations Headquarters and R&D, Planning and
Environment, Policy, the Resource Center, the Division offices, FTA, and RITA/JPO.
dale.thompson@fhwa.dot.gov
202-493-3420 -
Comparative Analysis Report: The Benefits of Using Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones
FHWA has released a new
report on its study of the effectiveness of using intelligent transportation
systems (ITS) in work zones. This document provides insights into the mobility
and safety benefits of using ITS for work zone traffic management, as well as
tips, and lessons learned. The information presented is based on an FHWA study
that examined five case study sites: I-40 outside
Winston-Salem
in
North Carolina; I-30 between
Benton and
Little Rock in
Arkansas; US-131 in
Kalamazoo,
Michigan; I-35 in
Hillsboro,
Texas; and DC-295 in
Washington,
DC.
This report follows on an earlier summary report of the same study and presents
a more detailed discussion, including data and analysis for each site.
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/its/wz_comp_analysis/index.htm
OPPORTUNITIES
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Call for 2009 National Roadway Safety Awards Nominations
The Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway
Safety Foundation co-sponsor the program biennially to provide national
recognition for exemplary roadway safety efforts and to publicize award-winning
"best practices". Federal, State,
regional, and local organizations are eligible to apply, as are companies and
associations. Awards are given for infrastructure,
operational and program-related improvements and programs that address safety
needs. The 2009 nomination application
materials provide more detailed information and can be downloaded from the
program Web site:
http://www.roadwaysafetyawards.org/
For more information, contact:
janet.ewing@dot.gov
202-366-8029
RECENT PERIODICALS
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FOCUS Newsletter – November 2008
This issue includes: FHWA Develops Resources to Prevent and
Mitigate ASR in Concrete; Learn More About Long-Term Bridge Performance at the
TRB Annual Meeting, Excellence in Highway Design 2008, Highway Technology
Calendar; A Core Curriculum for Construction Contract Administration; Highways
for LIFE Extends 2009 Project Application Deadline; and, The Place to Go for
LTPP Data and Information.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/nov08/index.htm
lgpope@woodwardcom.com
FOCUS Newsletter – December 2008
This issue includes: Pavement Preservation at Your Fingertips: FHWA Resources Offer Guidance and Training;
Pavement Management System Key to Improving Highway Condition in Washington
State; FHWA Publication Resources; Advancing Pavement Performance Measurement
in the United States and Europe; Highway Technology Calendar; Partnering for
Progress: The 2008 National Hydraulic
Engineering Conference; and, FHWA Sponsors Concrete Materials Seminars.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/dec08/index.htm
lgpope@woodwardcom.com
Public Roads – November/December 2008
This issue includes: 1. The Quest for Zero Fatalities: A comprehensive program aims to eliminate deaths on
Utah's roadways. 2. LTAP/TTAP: 25 Years of Service: Local and Tribal Technical Assistance
Programs rise to the challenge of meeting transportation needs at the local
level. 3. Higher Gas Efficiency Equals Lower Fuel Revenues: A Texas study shows that drastically higher
motor fuel taxes—or something else—will be needed soon to compensate for
revenue losses from increasing vehicle fuel efficiency. 4. Deploying Technology
in Challenging Terrain: Now 25 years
old, the Federal Lands Highway Program is still making out-of-the-way places
safely accessible. 5. Bringing Freight Lessons Home: Lessons from other nations on improving
freight transportation indicate the need to set a clear national vision and
coordinate public and private action effectively. 6. News on
Nanotechnology: Recent nanoscience
research improves understanding of cement and concrete properties and looks to
the next generation of highway pavements.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/08nov/index.htm
dawn.vanlandingham@fhwa.dot.gov
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Public Roads – January/February 2009
This issue includes: 1. Bicyclist-and Pedestrian-Only Roundabouts: Facilities dedicated solely to nonmotorized traffic
are an emerging development for improving mobility and reducing injury and
fatality rates. 2. The Sound of Safety:
Arizona's findings point
to centerline rumble strips and reducing injury and fatality rates. 3. UHPC
Making Strides: Progress is continuing
on implementing ultra-high performance concrete technology on the
U.S. highway
system, even while some challenges remain. 4. Bringing Innovations to
Market: FHWA's Technology Partnerships
Program smoothes deployment in the transportation industry. 5. Fostering a
Culture of Ethics: Establishing and
maintaining strong moral standards in the workplace are essential building
public trust and delivering the transportation program effectively. 6.
Electronic Freight Management: USDOT's
new EFM system provides an accurate, efficient, and inexpensive Web-based
method of tracking the transport of goods across the world.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/09janfeb/index.htm
dawn.vanlandingham@fhwa.dot.gov
Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – December 2008
This issue includes: FHWA Sponsors Peer Exchange on Adaptation of Transportation Systems to
Climate Change; National Action Plan Vision for 2025: A Framework for Change; Uncle Sam's Rusty
Toolkit; VMT & Climate Policy Dialogue; FHWA Hosts Second Federal
Interagency Meeting on Climate Change, Transportation and Land Use; California
Governor Directs State Agencies to Plan for Sea Level Rise and Climate Impacts;
California Air Resources Board Approves Climate Change Scoping Plan; Hawaii
Commits to Electric Vehicles; A Fare Choice: How Rhode Island Can Invest in Public Transit and Energy Independence;
New FHWA Sustainable Transport and Climate Change Team; and, 8th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climatechange/newsletter/index.htm
Innovator–Accelerating Innovation for the American Driving Experience-December/January
This issue includes:
Oregon DOT Engages Communities Through
Students; Maine Highways for LIFE Project Meets Goals; All-Weather Pavement
Marking System Ready for Test; Workshop Tackles Tough Questions About
Performance Contracting; Virginia Bridge Project Satisfies Customers;
Whitetopping Project a First for
North
Dakota; and, Calendar.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl/innovator/issue10.cfm
Links:
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center: www.tfhrc.gov
Resource Center: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/
National Highway Institute: http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/home.aspx
Please forward this newsletter to others you think might find it interesting and/or useful.
Suggestions may be submitted to: FHWA_Now@fhwa.dot.gov
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