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This magazine is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information. |
Federal Highway Administration > Publications > Public Roads > Vol. 75 · No. 5 > Guest Editorial |
March/April 2012 |
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Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-12-003 |
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Guest EditorialSHRP 2: Moving Transportation Forward
Authorized by the U.S. Congress in 2005, SHRP 2 is a 6-year collaboration of the Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and Transportation Research Board. These organizations are working together to develop a coordinated plan to roll out a systematic implementation of a variety of valuable research products. Activities include identifying the most promising products, conducting pilots and demonstration projects, and developing plans to ensure that these solutions get into the hands of practitioners in the transportation industry. SHRP 2 research is delivering groundbreaking products targeting specific challenges faced by transportation professionals today. The program builds on the success of the first SHRP, which led to development of a number of notable products in the paving and road maintenance areas, such as Superpave. But SHRP 2 has a broader vision: To encompass research and development of products that State departments of transportation (DOTs), consultants, and contractors can use throughout all areas of transportation. sThe program's innovative research is focused in four key areas: renewing roads and bridges more rapidly; delivering projects faster through targeted collaboration; operating a more reliable, less congested system; and reducing crashes and improving safety. For example, one product will help DOTs determine the best way to treat and preserve pavements on high-traffic-volume roadways such as the Nation's aging interstates. Another will enable DOTs to replace bridges in a matter of days or weeks instead of months. A third offers strategies and new technologies to increase collaboration between State DOTs and utility companies that will speed up project delivery. These products and technologies, along with another 120-plus now in the pipeline, offer credible, reliable solutions that will save time, money, and lives while reducing congestion and headaches for the traveling public. How can you get involved and help move ideas into action?
For the latest information, subscribe to the SHRP 2 newsletter at www.TRB.org/SHRP2/news. SHRP 2 is the cutting edge for transportation research. But research alone won't make a better transportation system. Only by putting these solutions directly to work will the fruits of research truly make a difference. Kirk Steudle |
Page Owner: Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management Scheduled Update: Archive - No Update Technical Issues: TFHRC.WebMaster@dot.gov Updated: 03/13/2012
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