AASHTO Journal, 22 November 2013
As part of the Implementation Assistance Program for the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Federal Highway Administration will be launching five new products in January 2014. In order to ensure that transportation agencies have a clear understanding of the products and how they can fit into their program, FHWA and AASHTO are hosting a series of webinars explaining each product in detail. State departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local public agencies, and tribal agencies are all invited to attend. The upcoming schedule includes:
- Thursday, Dec. 12, 2 – 3:30 p.m., EST, Precast Concrete Pavement (R05)
- Friday, Dec. 13, 2 – 3:30 p.m., EST, Identifying and Managing Utility Conflicts (R15B)
- Monday, Dec. 16, noon – 1:30 p.m., EST, GeoTech Tools (R02)
- Monday, Dec. 16, 2:30 – 4 p.m., EST, Freight Demand Modeling and Data Improvement (C20)
- Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2 – 3:30 p.m., EST, Pavement Renewal Solutions (formerly Using Existing Pavement in Place and Achieving Long Life) (R23)
“We are advancing even more solutions to help states and these are the first of 14 products we will be rolling out in 2014,” said Pam Hutton, AASHTO SHRP2 implementation manager. “These webinars are designed so you can see how these products can fit into your program. Several are appropriate for state DOTs that are working hard to rebuild their aging highways and bridges.”
The official application process to receive implementation assistance for Round 3 products will begin Jan. 17, 2014 and close on Feb. 14, 2014. Round 3 recipients are expected to be announced in mid-to-late March.
Periodically, rounds of SHRP2 Solutions have been made available to state DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations, local and tribal agencies, and other organizations that may apply for implementation assistance from FHWA to deploy the new products. For more information on the SHRP2 program, upcoming products, or webinar information, visit the FHWA’s SHRP2 website or SHRP2.transportation.org.
More than 65 new innovative processes, technologies, technical assistance, comprehensive designs, etools, and other resources have been developed through SHRP2. These SHRP2 Solutions will enable transportation agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to improve safety, renew aging roads and bridges more quickly and efficiently, and improve the reliability of the nation’s highway system.
Those seeking additional information or having questions about the program should contact Carin Michel, FHWA SHRP2 implementation manager, at goSHRP2 AT dot.gov, or AASHTO’s Hutton at phutton AT aashto.org (303-263-1212).