Communication Product Updates

Below are brief descriptions of communications products recently developed by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology. All of the reports are or will soon be available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). In some cases, limited copies of the communications products are available from FHWA’s Research and Technology (R&T) Product Distribution Center (PDC).

Public Roads - May/June 2016

Building Safety Into the Infrastructure

Twenty years ago, the Federal Highway Administration embarked on the initial effort to push for a U.S. Department of Transportation policy on reducing total fatalities. The agency decided it would not be satisfied with reductions in fatality rates. At the time, FHWA used the analogy that daily highway deaths equated to a Boeing 737 crashing each day!

Smart City Challenge Promotes Innovation in Government

The Smart City Challenge generated a significant amount of interest among U.S. cities. The U.S. Department of Transportation received 78 applications--one from nearly every midsized city in the country.

The challenge required the cities to boldly envision new solutions that would change the face of transportation in U.S. cities by closing the gap between rich and poor, capturing the needs of both young and old, and bridging the digital divide through smart design so that future transportation meets the needs of all city residents.

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.

Getting in Sync

The new Red Book offers a collaborative process that accelerates environmental reviews and permitting and is gaining traction as the accepted business practice at State DOTs. Try it on for fit.

The Best of The Best

Here's how a metropolitan planning organization in Colorado didn't settle for “good enough” when developing its award-winning transportation plan.

Giving A Leg Up

Federally funded, State-administered business development programs are helping level the playing field for disadvantaged business enterprises across the country.

Following in Mom's and Dad's Footsteps

Each year, FHWA employees bring in their children for a fun day of scientific discovery in hopes of encouraging them to consider a STEM career.

Public Roads - July/August 2016