AASHTO Journal, 28 March 2014
Innovative tools to help transportation agencies identify soils and underground utilities earlier in the project development process, assist in freight planning, and select various pavement options will soon be in the hands of 31 states that received funding through the second Strategic Highway Research Program, according to an announcement today by the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The new work will be accomplished through the SHRP2 Implementation Assistance Program, adding 48 new projects to the growing number of efforts to implement SHRP2 Solutions across the country.
The assistance opportunities to implement the Round 3 products were made available at three participation levels: proof of concept pilot, lead adopter incentive, and user incentive. The following selections were made:
- Freight Demand Modeling and Data Improvement (C20): 11 projects
- GeoTechTools (R02): 15 projects
- Precast Concrete Pavement (R05): 5 projects
- Identifying and Managing Utility Conflicts (R15B): 8 projects
- Pavement Renewal Solutions (R23): 9 projects
A complete list of recipients is available here.
According to a letter sent to recipients by FHWA and AASHTO today, “The SHRP2 products are designed to provide you with innovative technologies and processes that will help you meet your most challenging transportation needs. The positive response by states to Round 3, and the enthusiastic work that has already started on more than 135 projects from Round 1 and 2, illustrate to us that state, federal, and local transportation agencies understand the real benefits that the SHRP2 products can bring to their programs.”
Overall, 47 states and the District of Columbia are now actively engaged in implementing 14 SHRP2 Solutions.
Announcing Round 4
AASHTO and FHWA also announced today that a dozen additional SHRP2 products will be made available in Round 4, slated to open for applications on May 30. The application process will close on June 27, with recipients announced in early August. Products are expected all four focus areas, including safety (see related AASHTO Journal story here). Webinars to discuss the products, how they can be used within a transportation agency, and the IAP opportunity and criteria will be scheduled for late April and May.
The products for Round 4 are:
Renewal
- Nondestructive Testing for Concrete Bridge Decks (R06A)
- Rapid Technologies to Enhance Quality Control on Asphalt Pavements (R06C)
- Tools to Evaluate and Improve Pavement Smoothness on PCC in Real-Time During Construction (R06E)
- Nondestructive Testing for Tunnel Linings (R06G)
- Managing Risk in Rapid Renewal Projects (R09)
- Project Management Strategies for Managing Complex Projects (R10)
- Service Life Design for Bridges (R19A)
- New Composite Pavement Systems (R21)
Capacity
- Transportation Impacts Case Studies (T-PICS) and Improved Economic Analysis Tools (C03/C11)
- Integrated Travel Demand Modeling Bundle (C10/C04/C05/C16)
Reliability
- Reliability Data and Analysis Tools Bundle (L02/L05/L08/L07)
Safety
- Concept to Countermeasure – Research to Deployment Using the SHRP2 Safety Databases
SHRP2 products are part of a wide set of innovative solutions that include the second wave of Every Day Counts initiatives, Technology Implementation Group initiatives, and other programs, providing many opportunities to transportation agencies. More information about the FHWA/AASHTO Implementation Assistance Program, SHRP2, the individual products, upcoming webinars, and other material is available at SHRP2.transportation.org or GoSHRP2.
If you would like additional information or have 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.