Below are brief descriptions of reports recently published by the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology. All of the publications are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). In some cases, limited copies are available from the Research and Technology (R&T) Report Center.

When ordering from NTIS, include the NTIS publication number and the publication title. You also may visit the NTIS Web site at www.ntis.gov to order publications online. Call NTIS for current prices. For customers outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the cost is usually double the listed price. Address requests to:

National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-605-6000
Toll-free number: 800-553-NTIS (6847)
Expanded Sales Desk Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Mon.-Fri.

Address requests for items available from the R&T Report Center to:

R&T Report Center, HRTS-03
Federal Highway Administration
9701 Philadelphia Court, Unit Q
Lanham, MD 20706
Telephone: 301-577-0818
Fax: 301-577-1421

For more information on research and technology publications from FHWA, visit the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center's (TFHRC) Web site at www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/tfhrc/, FHWA's Web site at www.fhwa.dot.gov, the National Transportation Library's Web site at http://ntl.bts.gov, or the OneDOT information network at http://isweb.tasc.dot.gov/library/library.htm.

Guidelines for the Use of Lithium to Mitigate or Prevent ASR

Publication No. FHWA-RD-03-047

Progress is being made in combating alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in new and existing portland cement concrete structures. Of the several viable methods to prevent damage in concrete structures from this durability problem, the transportation industry used lithium compounds for more than 50 years. Recently, there is renewed interest in using lithium compounds either as an admixture in new concrete or as a treatment for existing structures.

This report provides practitioners with the necessary information and guidance to test, specify, and use lithium compounds in new concrete construction, and in repair and service life extension applications. The report will interest engineers, contractors, and others involved in the design and specification of new concrete, and those involved in mitigation of the damaging effects of ASR in existing concrete structures. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/pccp/03047/index.cfm.

Help with Converting Pavement Smoothness Specifications

Publication No. FHWA-RD-02-112

Pavement smoothness is a key factor in determining highway user satisfaction. To represent drivers' opinions of roadway conditions adequately, many highway agencies are transitioning to the International Roughness Index (IRI) or the Profile Index (PI), using a 0.0-millimeter (mm) blanking band (PI0.0) rather than the PI using a 5- or 2.5-mm blanking band (PI5-mm or PI2.5-mm). This change has led to the need for correlation equations to relate the current PI5-mm or PI2.5-mm smoothness specification levels with those in the new specifications.

To address this issue, research was initiated to develop a practical tool to assist in the transition from PI5-mm or PI2.5-mm to IRI or PI0.0. Highway agencies can use information developed in this research to estimate the level of IRI and PI0.0 smoothness associated with their current pavement smoothness specifications. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/reports/02112/.

High Accuracy-Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System Program Fact Sheet

Publication No. FHWA-RD-03-039

The High Accuracy-Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System (HA-NDGPS) program provides the capability for broadcasting corrections to the Global Positioning System over long ranges to achieve a 10-centimeter (4-inch) accuracy throughout the coverage area. HA-NDGPS currently is undergoing a research and development phase. The signal is being tested in Hagerstown, MD, and soon Hawk Run, PA. Application of this technology will provide advanced safety features for transportation, including lane-departure warnings, intersection-collision warnings, and railroad track defect alerts. The technology also could be used for economic enhancements, such as precision container tracking and automated highway lane striping. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/operations/03039/index.cfm.

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model: Making Safety a Priority in Roadway Design

The 2003 release of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) is now available on the Web, and users can download the software for testing and evaluation purposes. IHSDM is a road-safety evaluation software that marshals available knowledge into a more useful form for highway planners and designers. FHWA has been developing IHSDM with an initial focus on two-lane rural highways. FHWA now is researching and developing an IHSDM application for multilane rural highways. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/tfhrc/projects/safety/comprehensive/ihsdm/index.cfm.

LTPP 2002 Year in Review

Publication No. FHWA-RD-03-045

In 2002, as in previous years, the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program continued working to provide a better understanding of the "hows" and "whys" of pavement performance. This report outlines LTPP's 2002 program area accomplishments and provides an overview of key initiatives that LTPP will pursue in 2003.

LTPP collects data from more than 2,500 pavement sections in the United States, analyzes the information, and then translates those insights into products and information for pavement design, rehabilitation, maintenance, and management. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/2002yir.cfm.

Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System Program Fact Sheet

Publication No. FHWA-RD-02-072

The purpose of the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System is to provide accurate positioning and location information to travelers, emergency response units, and other customers. The system provides 1- to 3-meter (3- to 10-foot) navigation accuracy. This information will improve collision notification systems, enable cooperative vehicle-highway collision-avoidance systems, and provide more accurate in-vehicle route guidance systems. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/operations/02072/index.cfm .

Organizational and Expertise Directory (January 2003)

Publication No. FHWA-RD-03-034

Looking for more information about the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)? Take a look at the new Organizational and Expertise Directory, which provides up-to-date staffing information, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and position responsibilities.

FHWA's Office of Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) is organized into six offices with 15 teams of experts in more than 30 transportation-related disciplines. Three research and development offices—Operations, Safety, and Infrastructure—conduct R&D to improve highway operations and intelligent transportation systems, safety, and infrastructure.

The Office of Program Development and Evaluation develops and executes policy, budget, program management, and administrative mechanisms to help FHWA carry out its nationwide research and technology (R&T) program. The Office of Research and Technology Services develops and executes a comprehensive RD&T communications strategy and marketing plan that supports FHWA R&T programs and technology transfer and delivery. The Office of Resource Management provides administrative services for RD&T.

Research, Development, and Technology FY 2002 Performance Report

Publication No. FHWA-RD-02-101

This publication is RD&T's first annual performance report. It represents an effort to demonstrate and communicate RD&T's commitment to accountability in the programs and initiatives managed at TFHRC, a federally owned and operated research facility in McLean, VA. The report documents its 2002 accomplishments and success stories, and discusses the challenges and strategies RD&T plans to use in addressing them.

Additionally, the report highlights changes in the R&T environment in 2002 and shows how RD&T adapted to changing circumstances by adjusting its practices. This performance report is a companion document to the 2002/2003 Performance Plan and the 2002/2003 Catalog of Products and Services, both available on the TFHRC Web site. The organization recently took on the leadership and coordination of the FHWA initiative to raise the bar in research, technology, and innovation deployment. The 2003 performance report will include a section that communicates FHWA's accomplishments in this particular area. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/general/02101/index.cfm.