Communication product updates

Public Roads, May-June, 2004 by Zac Ellis

Below are brief descriptions of reports recently published by the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology. Some of the publications also may be available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). In some cases, limited copies are available from the Research and Technology (R & T) Product Distribution Center.

When ordering from NTIS, include the NTIS publication number (PB number) and the publication title. You also may visit the NTIS Web site at www.ntis.gov to order publications online. Call NTIS for current prices. For customers outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the cost is usually double the listed price. Address requests to:

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Telephone: 703-605-6000

Toll-free number: 800-553-NTIS (6847)

Address requests for items available from the R & T Product Distribution Center to:

R & T Product Distribution Center

Federal Highway Administration

9701 Philadelphia Court, Unit Q

Lanham, MD 20706

Telephone: 301-577-0818

Fax: 301-577-1421

For more information on research and technology publications from FHWA, visit the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center's Web site at www.tfhrc.gov, FHWA's Web site at www.fhwa.dot.gov, the National Transportation Library's Web site at http://ntl.bts.gov, or the OneDOT information network at http://dotlibrary.dot.gov.

Fiscal Year 2004/2005 Performance Plan

Publication No. FHWA-RD-03-085

The Fiscal Year 2004/2005 Performance Plan is available now on FHWA's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Web site at www.tfhrc.gov/about/03085. The plan describes the Office of Research, Development, and Technology's (RD & T) role in research and technology, challenges and commitments to FHWA customers, and research products and services the office will provide in fiscal year 2004/2005. The Web site also includes a link for customer feedback, and FHWA encourages visitors to provide their thoughts and suggestions on the plan. The FHWA RD & T FY 2002 Performance Report, a companion document to the performance plan also is available on the site. The plan and report reflect FHWA's commitment to its customers and willingness to be held accountable for the performance of research and technology activities.

Corporate Master Plan for Research and Deployment of Technology & Innovation

Publication No. FHWA-RD-03-077

Released in April 2003, the Corporate Master Plan (CMP) addresses recommendations from FHWA's 7 guiding principles, including 26 agency commitments. The commitments include setting research agendas, increasing the role of external stakeholders, using multiyear plans (or "roadmaps"), and evaluating research results and deployment.

To implement the plan, the FHWA R & T Leadership Team has identified areas for multiyear plans, promoted self assessments by functional areas for current R & T activities, and developed a list of priority, market-ready technologies and innovations--including the nine technologies embraced by the Technology Implementation Group (TIG) at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. These priority technologies and innovations were the focus of an FHWA exhibit at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board in January 2004.

Copies of fact sheets (listed below) on the technologies and innovations, and information about the implementation of the plan, are available on the new "FHWA Research and Technology" Web site, www.fhwa.dot.gov/rnt4u. Printed copies of the CMP are available from the R & T Product Distribution Center.

Priority, Market-Ready Technologies And Innovations

Priority, Market Ready Technologies and Innovations List

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-04-081

This master document lists all the priority, market-ready technologies and innovations currently available.

511 Traveler Information

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-04-048

An easy-to-remember, three-digit telephone number available to State and local transportation agencies nationwide can provide highway and transit conditions and other information for travelers.

Asset Management Guide

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-04-049

This guide, along with a companion course from the National Highway Institute (NHI), illustrates asset management principles and identifies techniques and methods for adopting a decisionmaking framework in transportation agencies.

Augered Piles

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-04-050

Augered piles can be installed quickly and inexpensively, and are a viable alternative to driven piles or drilled shafts for certain foundation applications.

Border Wizard

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-04-051

This PC-based model simulates cross-border movements of automobiles, buses, trucks, and pedestrians, using customs, immigration, and security procedures. Agencies can use the model to evaluate and balance the needs for security and trade efficiency, and to address the impact of roadway modifications at or near borders.

Dispute Resolution Guidance for Environmental Streamlining

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-04-052