AASHTO Journal, 27 March 2015
A diverse collection of 21 transportation agencies has been selected to receive financial and technical assistance of up to $5.85 million in the fifth round of implementation assistance for using innovative products under the second Strategic Highway Research Program, or SHRP2.
Those agencies include metropolitan planning organizations, state departments of transportation and other transportation agencies, SHRP2 said. Here is the list of recipients.
Originally established under the 2005 SAFETEA-LU law and renewed in subsequent surface transportation legislation, SHRP2 supported more than 100 research projects to address critical state and local challenges, such as aging infrastructure, congestion and safety.
The results of that research is now being made available in a series of transportation products and programs designed to improve the way industry professionals plan, build and maintain America’s roadways.
With this latest round of assistance award selections, the recipients will soon begin implementing SHRP2 research solutions on 27 separate projects in 20 states and the District of Columbia, according to a letter to state DOT directors jointly signed by the Federal Highway Association and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
The assistance is awarded under a competitive process, which in Round 5 saw agencies submit 46 applications for financial or technical assistance to implement SHRP2 products. That Implementation Assistance Program is explained more fully here.
SHRP2 products that were featured in Round 5 were the 3D Utility Location Data Repository; Performance Specifications for Rapid Renewal; Railroad-DOT Mitigation Strategies; and Planning Process Bundle.
Rounds 6 and 7
For now, Round 6 of the Implementation Assistance Program is expected to offer aid to use six products, including three new ones. The application period for that round begins May 29 and closes June 26, while registration for Round 6 explanatory webinars will open in mid-April.
Also scheduled is a final SHRP2 assistance round in 2016. Details on that Round 7 offering, including schedule and tentative products, will be announced later.
Additional information about SHRP2, including the IAP, products, webinars and other material is available at either the FHWA program site or the AASHTO program site.
For additional information, contact Carin Michel, FHWA SHRP2 implementation manager at email hidden; JavaScript is required, 410-962-2530, or Pam Hutton, AASHTO SHRP2 implementation manager at email hidden; JavaScript is required, 303-263-1212.