The results of Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program-funded projects may include new fundamental insights about how they can be applied in highway transportation. These projects may lead to new research methods, models, or data that can accelerate applied research or to new system concepts or prototypes, including laboratory testing and, possibly, limited field testing. The EAR Program does not fund projects through commercialization or deployment. Rather, results must be taken up by the research community, with the support of other funding sources. FHWA is committed to transitioning the results of EAR Program-funded projects and takes an active role in demonstrating results to audiences critical to continuing the research and development cycle.
 

Through eight solicitations, the EAR Program has awarded 79 projects (27 of which are ongoing as of September 2016) involving both government and academic researchers. These projects represent the investment of $76 million in FHWA funds and leverage $28 million in matching funds. The following pages contain summary descriptions of the results of selected, recently completed research investigations.