Transportation Pooled Fund Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsors the Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Program as a means for interested States, FHWA, and other organizations to partner when significant or widespread interest is shown in solving transportation–related problems. Partners may pool funds and other resources to solve these problems through research, planning, and technology transfer activities.

To qualify as a pooled fund study, more than one state transportation agency, federal agency, other agency such as a municipality or metropolitan planning organization, college/university or a private company must find the subject important enough to commit funds or other resources to conduct the research, planning, and technology transfer activity. If a subject has been studied previously, the new study should provide new information that will complement or advance previous investigations of the subject matter.

Federal and state transportation agencies may initiate pooled fund studies. Local and regional transportation agencies, private industry, foundations, and colleges/universities may partner with any or all of the sponsoring agencies to conduct pooled fund projects.

An interactive TPF web site was launched through the sponsorship of National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project 20–39(2), "Improved Transportation Research–In–Progress Data System." The site provides a centralized information source about the TPF Program for partners as well as the interested public. The Web site includes program procedures and information about all studies.

Authorized users in the States and FHWA may post study solicitations, make funding commitments, update study records, and view funding reports. Study managers are responsible for updating records as often as necessary to ensure complete information about their studies for their partners and other visitors to the Web site.