Public Roads
Moving Beyond Traffic
Preparing the transportation system for the future starts today. But in an era of rapid change, getting there requires consistent, reliable investment at the Federal level.
A Century of Innovation
On July 11, 2016, the Federal Highway Administration will celebrate the centennial of the Federal-Aid Highway Program. As discussed in “Celebrating a Double Anniversary” on page 4 in this issue of Public Roads, Federal and State highway leaders worked with Congress to pass the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916.
Demonstration Grants Help Deploy Innovations
Change can be daunting. Even when it’s the right thing to do. That’s why, in February 2014, the Federal Highway Administration launched the Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration program. The purpose of this grant program is to spur implementation and adoption of proven innovations. The grants provide incentives to help mitigate the financial risks that transportation agencies encounter when implementing innovative tools or processes.
Management and Administration
Along the Road is the place to look for information about current and upcoming activities, developments, trends, and items of general interest to the highway community. This information comes from U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) sources unless otherwise indicated. Your suggestions and input are welcome. Let’s meet along the road.
Understanding Connected Technology
Connected vehicle technology promises safety, mobility, and environmental benefits that could improve all aspects of roadway planning, maintenance, operation, and use. However, its range of solutions and technologies are complex and can be difficult to fully comprehend. To address this issue, in fall 2015 the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) launched a new Web site describing the basics of connected vehicles in plain language.
New and Updated Training for 2016
The National Highway Institute (NHI) has expanded its 2016 course catalog by releasing several new courses and updating others in its structures program area, including instructor-led and online training options. The new courses help to meet the training needs of professionals responsible for planning and constructing steel and concrete girder bridges. Existing courses were updated to reflect 2015 revisions to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ LRFD [Load and Resistance Factor Design] Bridge Design Specifications.
The Roads Less Traveled
A new toolkit from FHWA is paving the way for safer local and tribal rural highways.
Commuting in A Post-Baby Boomer World
An upsurge in retirements, coupled with workplace trends such as telecommuting, is bound to affect travel on U.S. highways. Here’s what transportation planners will want to know.