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FHWA's mission is enhancing mobility through innovation, leadership, and public service. FHWA faces the continuous challenge of enhancing the movement of people and goods from one place to another, while ensuring the safety and security of the traveling public, promoting the efficiency of the transportation system, and protecting the environment.
Major FHWA programs include the Federal-Aid Highway Program, which provides Federal financial assistance to the States to construct and improve the National Highway System (NHS), urban and rural roads, and bridges. In addition, the Federal Lands Highway Program provides access to and within national forests, national parks, Indian reservations, and other public lands by preparing plans and contracts, supervising construction of facilities, and conducting bridge inspections and surveys. FHWA manages a comprehensive R&T program in support of the above.
FHWA places a very high value on new technologies, materials, and innovations to improve the Nation's roadways.
Due to FHWA efforts, applications of advanced technology to the Nation's highways are yielding impressive returns in safety, mobility, productivity, and environmental quality. FHWA strategically invests in R&T to improve the transportation system. The Agency's approach emphasizes partnership with a broad range of organizations, including other DOTs and Federal agencies; State, local, and county governments; and international organizations. The goal is to identify, develop, and accelerate the transformation of new ideas into better transportation systems, processes, and services.
| FHWA's research approach emphasizes cooperation, information sharing, and formal research agenda development. |
The FHWA research approach emphasizes cooperation, information sharing, and research agenda development with State and local governments, academia, and the private sector. Research conducted at TFHRC supports the Agency's vision, mission, and goals and is strategically aligned with the USDOT.
| DOT Vision (FY 2003) Safer, simpler, smarter transportation solutions. |
FHWA Vision Improving transportation for a strong America. |
RD&T Vision An RD&T organization that is essential, indispensable, and connected to our partners in advancing R&T. |
| DOT Mission Develop and administer policies and programs that contribute to providing fast, safe, efficient, and convenient transportation at the lowest cost consistent with the national objectives of general welfare, economic growth and stability, the security of the United States, and the efficient use and conservation of the resources of the United States. |
FHWA Mission Enhancing mobility through innovation, leadership, and public service. |
RD&T Mission Leads in developing a nationally coordinated R&T Program; champions the advancement of highway technological innovation in support of FHWA strategic goals and performance objectives; advances knowledge through research, development, testing, and evaluation services; and provides support and assistance throughout FHWA in matters relating to RD&T. |
Six strategic goals-Safety, Mobility and Productivity, Global Connectivity, Environment, National Homeland Security, and Organizational Excellence—are addressed in the FY 2004/2005 plan.
The Vital Few are the key areas with performance gaps that must be addressed for FHWA to be successful in the short-term. Achieving performance improvements in the following areas was a priority during FY 2004:
RD&T performs several key functions to champion the advancement of highway technological innovation. The following examples illustrate some of the unique functions carried out by RD&T in its effort to support the Agency's role as "innovators for a better future."
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