The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has historically maintained a broad scoped research and development program involving highway safety, traffic operations and advanced technologies. The present and evolving needs of the highway system are resulting in changes in the direction and objectives in this program. Part of this is driven by the increased emphasis now on efficient and effective operational performance. Other factors are an aging driver population, opportunities provided by Intelligent Vehicle Highway System technology, and the very difficult issues posed by growing urban traffic demand and resultant congestion coupled with serious air quality problems. This paper reviews reviews these changing research needs and describe FHWA's changing focus in safety and traffic operations R&D. Several specific programs will be used as examples. (A)
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