ITS TOPICS IN THE U.S. DOT FHWA'S EXPLORATORY ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM

USDOT FHWA has recently initiated an Exploratory Advanced Research Program. The program objective is to conduct research and development that could lead to revolutionary advances in highway engineering and intermodal surface transportation. This broad program includes focus areas in highway safety, planning and environment, transportation policy, traffic congestion, highway infrastructure, and cross-cutting exploratory research. The ITS-related efforts are primarily found in the highway safety and traffic congestion focus areas. Solicitations for this program began in January 2007 with project awards beginning in June 2007. This paper provides an overview of the FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research Program with a focus on its ITS-related project areas. For the covering abstract see ITRD E140665.