Innovative Ideas

In 2005, FHWA held a series of think tank forums that brought together a cross section of stakeholders and partners to make recommendations for a corporate, strategic, advanced research agenda for FHWA. Three such forums were organized to explore future advanced research possibilities within a set of domains relevant to the mission of FHWA.

• Summary of EAR-Sponsored Think Tanks (2005)
  • Boston
  • Minneapolis
  • Berkeley
  
  
  
• Initial Stage Investigations (Examples of Investments Based on Investigations)
  • Nanoscale Science
  • Cement Hydration Modeling
  • Agent-Based Modeling
  • Experimental Economics
  • National Transportation Demand Model
  
  
  
• Summary of Initial-Stage Investigations 2006−2010 (Focus Areas)
• Breakthrough Concepts in Materials Science
• Human Behavior and Travel Choices
• Integrated Highway System Concepts
• New Technology and Advanced Policies for Energy and Resource Conservation
• Technology for Assessing Performance
• Nanoscale Research (Crosscutting focus area)
• Information Sciences (Crosscutting focus area)

Research on the Future

Resources for learning more about trends that may impact the transportation industry and, thus, the industry’s research needs over the next generation are categorized under three areas consisting of  (1) research programs and institutes; (2) related research reports; and (3) popular articles. [More:]

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]