AASHTO Journal, 11 July 2014
An impressive 158 applications were received for 19 individual products being offered in the 4th round of implementation assistance for the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2). Thirty-seven state transportation departments, along with numerous other organizations, submitted applications to receive financial or technical assistance through the Implementation Assistance Program (IAP).
Of particular note, 30 applications for the first ever safety-related SHRP2 offering were received. Transportation agencies will be able to use data from the Naturalistic Driving Study and Roadway Information Database to investigate new alternatives for reducing crashes and improving highway safety. The data can be used to identify crash causation factors and develop effective countermeasures such as road designs or public safety campaigns that will address specific safety concerns.
“The overwhelming response to the 19 products offered in Round 4 demonstrates a real appetite that the country’s transportation agencies have for new cutting-edge innovations to advance the field,” said Bud Wright, AASHTO executive director. “This latest round doubled the opportunities for states to try these transportation solutions. With all the SHRP2 Solutions now available to transportation agencies—either through the Implementation Assistance Program or directly from FHWA—it is an exciting time to be in the transportation field.”
FHWA, AASHTO, and TRB will gather diverse teams to review all applications and make decisions on award recipients. An announcement regarding award selections is anticipated to be released in August.
For more information, contact Pam Hutton, AASHTO’s SHRP2 implementation manager, at phutton AT aashto.org or 303-263-1212.