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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
TFHRC Logo
Office of Research, Development and Technology at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center

Geometric Design Laboratory (GDL) 2

Project Information

Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-19-0083
Project Abstract:

The mission of the FHWA Geometric Design Laboratory (GDL) is to support the Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development in research related to the geometric design of roadways and the impacts on safety. Historically, GDL has mainly focused on to support for the full life cycle of software development and technology facilitation for the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), and coordination of IHSDM with related tools, including the AASHTO SafetyAnalyst and the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual (HSM), and with other members of the IHSDM team. The laboratory is located at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) in McLean, Virginia. 


With IHSDM 2021 release (version 17.0.0), the FHWA’s IHSDM software development has marked the end, and the transition of primary functions of GDL has begun. As the IHSDM software development responsibilities are phased out, new geometric design research efforts will begin to become the central focus of the GDL. The capabilities are expected to include, but not limited to, geographic information systems (GIS) for safety applications; data visualization research; roadway geometric data collection; and research utilizing the naturalistic driving data (NDS) and roadway inventory data (RID) from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) for geometric design applications. 


The GDL also provide the technical support services necessary to carry out the mission of the Geometric Design Laboratory (GDL). The primary objectives of this contract are:

  1. Planning and conducting geometric design and HSM-related safety research to support the FHWA Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development.
  2. Coordinating technical assistance, maintenance, and knowledge transfer of the IHSDM software.
  3. Providing technical support in the design and execution of contract and in-house researches to fulfill program requirements.
  4. Providing technical and administrative support in on-going and planned special projects.
  5. Supporting, analyzing, and reviewing specific technical and/or program issues.
  6. Preparing documentation to support FHWA in planning, executing, and managing program activities.
  7. Ensuring that program documentation, research designs, and laboratory products are technically sound and cost effective.
  8. Maintaining, operating, and supporting the equipment and resources in the Geometric Design Laboratory at TFHRC.

 

Project Status:
Active
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$3,550,712.86
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
Yes
Laboratory:
Grant/Contract ID:
  • 693JJ324F00483N
FHWA Program Area:
  • Safety
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
  • FY 2002-2022 / Safety / Safety Data and Analysis
FHWA Activity:
  • Data and Analysis

AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan

Contact Information

Team:
Roadway Team
Office:
Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Office Code:
HRSO-10

Management Organizations

Sponsor Organization

Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development and Technology - Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development

Performing Organization

Organization Role:
Performing Organization
Organization:
KYM Advisors INC