AASHTO Journal, 17 January 2014
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, along with the Federal Highway Administration, announced this week that the application process is now open and available to implement five new products developed through the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2). Round 3 of the Implementation Assistance Program (IAP) includes products to reduce utility conflicts and speed construction, improve freight planning, help designers include geotechnical innovations earlier in the planning and design process, and enhance pavement techniques.
FHWA also announced it has instituted an easier application process for Round 3. Transportation agencies will now download the application forms and share information internally before submitting their final applications. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 14, 2014. Recipients will be announced on March 28.
“This year will see many new products being introduced to transportation agencies. To ensure that these innovations are a good fit for their programs, we are encouraging states and other potential participants to review their business needs and priorities, evaluate what products fulfills those needs, and use this opportunity to advance the state of practice in their industry,” said Bud Wright, AASHTO executive director. “As always, our SHRP2 team is available to provide information and technical assistance and answer any questions that arise.”
Eligibility varies for each product. More details for each application and opportunity are available at the links below. The five new SHRP2 products include the following:
- GeoTechTools (R02) is a website offering a technology selection tool and resources identifying more than 40 geotechnical solutions to common embankment, cut slope, structure/foundation interface, and pavement foundation issues. Five user incentives are available at up to $75,000 per applicant to implement this tool.
- Precast Concrete Pavement (R05) provides tools for using precast concrete pavement (PCP) systems to reduce the duration of construction closures on critical roadways. Five lead adopter incentives with funding up to $300,000 per application are available to be applied to the construction of a precast concrete pavement project.
- Identifying and Managing Utility Conflicts (R15B) provides a matrix, best practices, and other information to reduce conflicts, increase project delivery, and improve cooperation among highway agencies and utilities. Six lead adopter opportunities are available at up to $150,000 each in the form of technical and funding assistance.
- Pavement Renewal Solutions (R23) includes guidelines for using existing pavements in rapid construction to extend pavement life and save money. Five lead adopter opportunities with funding up to $100,000 per applicant and 10 user incentives with technical assistance will be available.
- Freight Demand Modeling and Data Improvement (C20) offers an organizational approach to improve freight data sets and freight modeling practices. Nine to eleven proof of concept pilots up to $350,000 for each applicant are available to be applied to the implementation of Behavior-Based Freight Modeling. Funding up to $150,000 is available to implement Innovations in Local Freight Data.
State departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local and tribal agencies, and Federal Lands Highway Divisions are encouraged to apply at any of the three participation levels: proof of concept pilot, lead adopter incentive, and user incentive.
Recordings of webinars describing each product, their applicability, and technical information are available at GoSHRP2. Additional information can also be obtained on these products through recorded webinars sponsored by the Transportation Research Board. Links to past recordings and a schedule of upcoming webinars are available at SHRP2 Tuesdays.
For additional information or questions about the program, please contact Carin Michel, FHWA SHRP2 implementation manager, at goSHRP2 AT dot.gov, 410-962-2530, or Pam Hutton, AASHTO SHRP2 implementation manager at phutton AT aashto.org, 303-263-1212 or go to SHRP2.transportation.org.