U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000


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Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations

Research and Technology Innovation Life Cycle

The life cycle approach illustrates that research and technology development and delivery are not insular activities, but integrated processes that together constitute a system. For instance, the "give and take" of setting the national research agenda enables multiple programs with technologies developed and validated through laboratory experiments and field tests.

Some technologies are discarded for cost or performance reasons; however, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) actively promotes a select group of promising (priority) technologies to State and local transportation professionals. Many of these technologies will be deployed fully on a national scale based on field performance and stakeholder acceptance. Stakeholder acceptance and performance data ultimately will be considered as new research agendas are developed at the Federal and State levels of government.

Innovation Life Cycle Phases


The Innovation Life Cycle

The Innovation Life Cycle

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Quick Links

» Strategic Approach
In 2003, FHWA leadership accepted the challenge to "raise the bar" on R&T and adopted a strategic management framework developed with input from stakeholders. See Corporate Master Plan (CMP) for Research and Deployment of Technology & Innovation (FHWA-RD-03-077)

 

Research and Development Links

» R&D Laboratories
» R&D Projects

 

Other Links

» Transportation Research Information Services
» TRB Research in Progress Search
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center | 6300 Georgetown Pike | McLean, VA | 22101