Through technical assistance and distribution of funds to State and local governments, the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most advanced in the world. FHWA’s Office of International Programs (HPIP) supports this responsibility by providing the U.S. highway community with access to global best practices and technical innovations that help to advance our transportation system.

The HPIP employs the following four main mechanisms that work together and cross-pollinate—with developments in one area sometimes leading to opportunities in others: (1) Global Benchmarking Program (GBP); (2) Multinational Relations Programs; (3) Binational Relations Programs; and (4) the International Visitors Program (IVP).

The GBP is a tool used by FHWA to identify, evaluate, document, and implement proven foreign innovations that have the potential to significantly improve highway transportation in the United States. This process is accomplished through focused study missions that connect FHWA and U.S. subject matter experts with transportation advances and counterparts abroad. In this issue of Public Roads, you will read about GBP’s proven track record of advancing innovation through the implementation of study findings and recommendations in the U.S. context in “Accelerating U.S. Innovation: Leveraging Global Best Practices/Bringing Global Innovations to U.S. Highways.”

The Multinational Relations Program, which features U.S. participation in international organizations, is also a cost-effective mechanism to exchange technologies and best practices with foreign counterparts. For example, FHWA is the lead organization representing the United States within the World Road Association known globally as PIARC (Permanent International Association of Road Congresses). PIARC brings together road administrations from more than 120 countries to exchange information on innovative road practices. FHWA is also actively engaged in the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories. Led by our colleagues at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, this collaboration enhances innovation through coordination of emerging research with European national highway laboratories. Most recently, FHWA has become a participating member of the International Federation for Structural Concrete facilitating continued international collaboration to advance technologies and practices that improve the resiliency of concrete bridges.
 

Another mechanism used by FHWA to facilitate international knowledge exchange and transfer is the Binational Relations Program, which develops and leverages government-to-government relationships with countries around the world. For example, a joint U.S.–Japanese relationship that began more than 50 years ago provides an ongoing framework for collaboration and knowledge exchange. The value and trust developed through this relationship enabled FHWA to send a team to survey bridge and geotechnical asset damage from the earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in Japan on January 1, 2024. Subject matter experts from FHWA observed the damage firsthand and collected valuable information on the performance of assets in the earthquake and the effectiveness of previous retrofits and repairs (among other data) that will directly impact U.S. efforts to mitigate against seismic events. 

FHWA also recently initiated a technology transfer reengagement effort in Africa, focusing on subjects identified by African countries, such as road safety, electric vehicles, and innovative materials, all of which align with FHWA’s priorities. In support of this reengagement, FHWA staff participated in the 9th Africa Regional Transportation Technology Transfer Conference in May 2024. FHWA presented the U.S. perspective on sustainable road infrastructure management and road safety and exchanged ideas and best practices with several countries from southern Africa. 

Finally, HPIP’s IVP facilitates sharing road-related information between FHWA staff and their foreign counterparts through topic-specific meetings, as well as study tours with FHWA program offices, State departments of transportation, local transportation agencies, and other stakeholders. 

Through its mission of sharing and exchanging technology and information with other countries, HPIP contributes to the mission of ensuring the United States has a world-class transportation system.

Leslie J. Wright 
Director, Office of International Programs 
Federal Highway Administration