Strategic Highway Research Saving Lives, Reducing Congestion, Improving Quality of Life -- Special Report 260 (2001) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
2 The First Strategic Highway Research Program
2 The First Strategic Highway Research Program
Pages 32-45
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 32... ...
The major highway research programs were (and still are) those of FHWA; the individual state DOTs; and NCHRP, in which the state DOTs pool some of their research funds to address problems of mutual concern.
|
From page 33... ...
: · Asphalt -- "Objective: To improve pavement performance through a research program that will provide increased understanding of the chemical and physical properties of asphalt cements and asphalt concretes. The research results would be used to develop specifications, tests, and construction procedures needed to achieve and control the pavement performance desired." · Long-term pavement performance (LTPP)
|
From page 34... ...
In all, more than 200 individuals representing major highway stakeholder groups were involved in the pre-implementation efforts in the course of less than 2 years. The result of their work was the final report Strategic Highway Research Program: Research Plans (TRB 1986)
|
From page 35... ...
Legislative language was subsequently developed to support these decisions. Strategic Highway Research Program In 1987 Congress passed the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Act, which authorized SHRP.
|
From page 36... ...
This system allows the agency to be prepared for storms and to deploy materials, crews, and equipment in appropriate amounts. · Work zone safety -- Several products resulted from SHRP research on work zone safety, including a flashing stop/slow paddle, opposing traffic lane divider, direction indicator barricade, truck-mounted attenuator for chemical spreaders, queue detector, intrusion alarm, portable rumble strip, and all-terrain sign and stand.
|
From page 37... ...
Highlights of SHRP implementation activities include the following initiatives: · SHRP and LTPP state coordinators, who continue to coordinate the implementation of SHRP and the execution of LTPP in their respective states; · Staff loaned by state DOTs to the SHRP program; · AASHTO's efforts to develop specifications for SHRP products; · The Lead States program, in which a small number of states became proficient with particular SHRP technologies and then coached other states to facilitate their implementation efforts; · The AASHTO SHRP Implementation Task Force, which was so successful that it was leveraged into a new Senior-Level AASHTO Steering Group for Technology Deployment; and · The TRB Superpave and LTPP Committees, which provide stakeholder and peer review of the technical development of these two components of SHRP. Assessment of SHRP Benefits The best indicators of the success of SHRP are the extent and pace of implementation of SHRP results and the consequent impact on the condition and operation of the nation's highway system.
|
From page 38... ...
Portland cement concrete pavements: 311 for agencies 933 for users Pavement maintenance products: 36131 for agencies 47173 for users Work zone safety products: 12 for agencies 612 for users Source: Little et al.
|
From page 39... ...
and fewer traffic disruptions from road work. The TTI analysis projected annual highway agency savings nationally of almost $750 million if Superpave were fully and quickly implemented.4 Projected annual user savings (reduced delay because of fewer pavement repairs and reduced vehicle operating costs because of smoother pavements)
|
From page 40... ...
This route often forms the basis for winter maintenance budgeting and is therefore a reasonable unit of analysis for calculating benefits from SHRP winter maintenance products.
|
From page 41... ...
Work Zone Safety In addition to saving lives, the work zone safety devices developed under SHRP save money. Experts in the TTI study estimated that use of the flashing stop/slow paddle and the opposing traffic lane divider alone could reduce work zone crashes by approximately 5 percent, leading to nationwide annual savings of $2.1 million to $4.1 million for agencies and $15 million to $30 million for highway users.
|
From page 42... ...
· The program and administrative structure allowed sufficient flexibility to implement midcourse corrections to the research plan on the basis of interim results. The willingness and ability to change course when confronted with compelling evidence kept the program focused on achieving results more than on fulfilling plans.
|
From page 43... ...
Concluding Comments In summary, the SHRP experience demonstrated that a focused, timeconstrained research program can be a highly effective complement to existing traditional highway research programs. While the latter programs address a wide variety of needs, continually moving the highway industry forward, the occasional concentration of additional resources in a few strategic focus areas can accelerate progress toward implementable solutions and advance the state of the art for the entire industry.
|
From page 44... ...
National Research Council, Washington, D.C., June. Additional Sources ABBREVIATIONS FHWA Federal Highway Administration NCHRP National Cooperative Highway Research Program SHRP Strategic Highway Research Program TRB Transportation Research Board Byrd, L
|
From page 45... ...
n.d. Improving Research Effectiveness: Some Reflections Based on Experiences within the Strategic Highway Research Program.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.