The FHWA 2015 R&T Story: Research and Innovative Solutions for the Nation's Highway Challenges

A century ago, research and technology (R&T) played a primary role and led to the conversion of unpaved to paved roads with asphalt and concrete pavement materials, an innovation that led to greater and safer mobility on our Nation’s highways. Today, as in the past, researchers and inventors continue to develop innovations and solutions to transportation challenges.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) plays a key role in leading the national transportation research needed to meet the challenges now and in the future. Collaborating with partners around the world, FHWA research conducted at its Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) is improving the roads and bridges we travel on every day, saving lives, reducing congestion, and advancing economic growth.
From connected vehicles and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications to road and bridge design, to policy decisions requiring quality transportation data, to human factors and environmentally sustainable roads, this is a time of boundless opportunity. What was once dreamed of as the highway of the future is becoming our reality today. And today we are moving toward solutions that will positively impact the transportation system of tomorrow. In the many innovations described here, learn how FHWA’s R&T initiatives are contributing to advancements in the transportation system.