Research

Exploratory advanced research includes foundational work that anticipates the questions and future needs in applied research or the application of innovations from other industries to the transportation sector.

Under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed partnerships with the public and private sectors. Furthermore, the nature of exploratory advanced research stimulates the use of partnerships to apply ideas across traditional field of research and engage new approaches to problem solving. As a result, FHWA has sought and will continue to seek research partners through extensive outreach. FHWA wants to ensure all competent entities are aware of the solicitation and have an opportunity to compete for the work.

To ensure the highest technical merit, FHWA plans to continue to use peer review panels to evaluate solicitations. The panels are comprised of Federal, State, academic, and international scientific and engineering experts, who have been vetted, to avoid potential conflicts of interest. The panels frequently include multiple disciplines to better assess cross-applications and novel approaches to research. In addition to the peer review, a multidisciplinary management group within FHWA also assesses the mission focus and overall balance of projects within a round of research funding.

The following sections describe FHWA's Exploratory Advanced Research Program.

• Focus Areas
• Innovative Ideas
• Planned Research
• Ongoing Research
• Program Results

For more information, contact David Kuehn, david.kuehn@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3414, or Terry Halkyard, terry.halkyard@fhwa.dot.gov, (202) 493-3467.

FHWA plans to issue a Broad Agency Announcement (DTFH61-16-R-00036) for the Exploratory Advanced Research Program to conduct research that addresses (1) Computation Methods for Analysis of Mobile Device Data, (2) Behavioral Science and Experimental Economics Approaches for Transportation, and (3) New Methods in Simulation with proposals due by October 14, 2016.  [More information is located at https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=
1e0c1bbde5c88669a3902a10544aee3a&tab=
core&_cview=0]

The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) conducts research across a wide range of topics and disciplines. To supplement the expertise of the permanent staff, it is important to bring in researchers with the appropriate backgrounds to investigate specific problems at short-term basis. Through the Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program, FHWA utilizes the Resident Associates (or Postdoctoral Fellows) program of the National Research Council (NRC) for this purpose. The NRC provides a process for selecting candidates on a competitive merit basis and subsequently for administration of the Resident Fellows during their tenures at FHWA. [More]