The Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program strives to develop partnerships with the public and private sectors because the very nature of the EAR Program is to apply ideas across traditional fields of research and stimulate new approaches to problemsolving. The program bridges basic research (e.g., academic work funded by National Science Foundation grants) and applied research (e.g., studies funded by State departments of transportation). In addition to sponsoring EAR Program projects that advance the development of highway infrastructure and operations, the EAR Program is committed to promoting cross-fertilization with other technical fields, furthering promising lines of research, and deepening vital research capacity.