The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Research, Technology, and Development publishes research results in a variety of formats.

Publications

What's New 2025

FHWA is required to store published documents in the National Transportation Library's Repository and Open Science Access Portal (ROSA P). You may search the FHWA collection  in the repository portal or to find a specific publication, please contact the Federal Highway Administration Research Library at fhwalibrary@dot.gov. 

Software/Data Downloads

Congestion and Bottleneck Identification (CBI) Tool Software Download

FHWA developed software to identify congestion using new performance measures. The software development effort involved a CBI Tool, containing both numeric and graphical performance measures. The CBI tool was designed to compare and rank traffic bottlenecks in greater detail than existing methods. (Download CBI Tool. Click for the User’s Guide for the Congestion and Bottleneck Identification (CBI) Tool. Another helpful document is Traffic Bottlenecks: Identification and Solutions.)

Deep Foundation Load Test Database (DFLTD) - Version 2.0

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) collected research quality load test data and associated subsurface information leading to the development of the first version of the FHWA DFLTD, which included over 2,500 soil tests and over 1,500 load tests on various types of piles and drilled shafts. In 2016, FHWA released version 2.0 to update the software and include 155 additional axial load tests specifically on large diameter open-ended piles (LDOEPs). Load test types include axial static, rapid (Statnamic), and dynamic load tests, which were conducted in cohesive, noncohesive, and mixed soil types. Foundation types include open- and closed-end steel pipe piles, concrete cylinder piles, steel H-piles, prestressed concrete piles, drilled shafts, augercast piles, micropiles, timber piles, and others. (Register and download DFLTD. Access the user manual for the DFLTD v.2 at FHWA-HRT-17-034 and read about the Development of Guidelines for Bearing Resistance of Large Diameter Open-End Steel Piles in FHWA-HRT-20-011.)  Contact:  Jennifer Nicks, Geotechnical Laboratory Manager, Office of Infrastructure Research and Development, jennifer.nicks@dot.gov. 

FlexPAVE^TM and other Asphalt Material Analysis Tools and Downloads

This is a suite of Asphalt Material Analysis Tools and Downloads that address cracking and rutting of asphalt pavements. The tools include FlexPAVE, a Microsoft^® Excel-based analysis tool, for characterizing asphalt pavement structures, using the Fourier-Finite Element method to analyze three-dimensional viscoelastic pavement response, fatigue cracking, and rutting distress evolution under repeated moving traffic loads and temperature fluctuations. Other tools include the following.  FlexMAT^TM for Cracking is for characterizing dynamic modulus and cracking of asphalt pavement mixtures from Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) test results. FlexMAT^TM for Rutting is for characterizing rutting of asphalt pavement mixtures from AMPT test results. Weather data files, including an expanded MERRA2 temperature database from 2,798 locations across the United States and 20 years (1996–2015) of temperature information. Data structure files are included, along with test data report files and related reference links and research files. 

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM)

IHSDM is a suite of decision-support software analysis tools used to evaluate the safety and operational effects of geometric design decisions on highways. The tools provide estimates of a highway design's expected safety and operational performance. Results of the IHSDM support decisionmaking in the highway design process. Intended users include highway project managers, designers, and traffic and safety reviewers in State and local highway agencies and in engineering consulting firms. (More Information and download)  Contact: In-Kyu Lim, Geometric Design Laboratory Manager, Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development, in-kyu.lim@dot.gov.

InfoPave^(TM)

The FHWA Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program is collecting research quality pavement performance data from in service test sections across the U.S. and Canada. InfoPave provides improved access to LTPP data and other program information, such as findings from data analysis studies, extensive documentation for the many aspects of LTPP experimental designs, data acquisition, quality control, and data dissemination. The collected data include information on seven modules: Inventory, Maintenance, Monitoring (Deflection, Distress, and Profile), Rehabilitation, Materials Testing, Traffic, and Climatic. (More Information and data access.) 

Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool, version 3 (PBCAT 3)

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool, version 3 (PBCAT 3), is an open-access crash typing application. PBCAT is designed to help State and local transportation safety practitioners and researchers develop new variables to describe collisions between motorists and non-motorists on trafficway or non-trafficway locations. High quality crash type descriptors are frequently missing in crash databases but are important for varied safety approaches. PBCAT users can apply PBCAT crash types and contextual factors to help identify preventable crash scenarios and inform a variety of strategies and solutions to improve non-motorist safety. The data can be used to help improve the safety of infrastructure, vehicle and interactive technologies, behaviors, and policies to reduce non-motorist crashes and injuries. (Use the PBCAT Tool. Access the PBCAT Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool Version 3.0 User Guide.)  Contact: Carol Tan, Safety Management Team Leader, Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development, carol.tan@dot.gov.