Sustainable Highways Initiative

FHWA Initiatives

	How Truck Platooning Works (1-2018) This article explains how onboard computers are used to connect trucks and allow vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and enable management of traffic by clustering trucks together. Tests show that platooning allows trucks to adjust to better follow the lead vehicle at a desired distance. Truck platooning can improve the flow of both freight traffic, and regular vehicle traffic, thereby reducing the emissions from idling engines.
	FHWA Pilot Program for Resilience and Durability to Extreme Weather (12-2017) FHWA has launched a pilot program that will partner with State DOTs, MPOs, Tribal governments, and Federal Lands Management Agencies to deploy one of the following three resiliency solutions: 1. Integration of resilience and durability into agency practices; 2. Utilizing current tools and resources to perform vulnerability and risk assessments of transportation systems and projects; or 3. Deploying and monitoring the performance of aa resilience solution.
	Call for Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) Nominations (10-2017) The Federal Highway Administration has called for nominations for the 2017 Alternative Fuels Corridor. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requires that the Secretary of Transportation must identify short- and long-term need, and location for, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along national highways to improve the mobility of passenger and commercial vehicles that employ renewable and low-carbon fuels across the country. Nominations are due by close of business on November 30, 2017. Contact Diane Turchetta at 202-493-0158 or Diane.Turchetta@dot.gov for more information.

	Series of FHWA Webinars on Climate Resiliency (9-2017) A series of webinars focused on FHWA’s climate resiliency-focused projects. Topics include the impacts of climate conditions and extreme weather events on transportation projects, green infrastructure, and FHWA’s climate change and extreme weather vulnerability assessment framework. The webinars run from September 28 through November 16, 2017.
	New Vehicle-To-Vehicle Technologies Demonstrated by FHWA (9-2017) FHWA conducted a test of emerging vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology. Three-truck platoons used the new Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control technology, which allows trucks to follow each other more closely and travel more efficiently.
	Health Considerations Integrated in North Central Texas’ Long-Range Planning (7-2017) FHWA details how health considerations are being integrated into the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ (NCTCOG) Long Range Planning efforts. NCTCOG is using resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify health indicators, data for transportation-related public health measures, and strategies for public health.
	Webinar Recording: Energy and Emissions Reduction Policy Analysis Tool (7-2017) A webinar recording is now available for FHWA’s Energy and Emissions Reduction Policy Analysis Tool, which analyzes and forecasts transportation energy consumption and related emissions, and addresses demand-side transportation strategies for climate policy.
	Winners of the 2017 Environmental Excellence Award Announced (5-2017) The 2017 Environmental Excellence Award recipients were announced by FHWA in late May. Projects that received awards included the Massachusetts DOT’s Impaired Waters Program, Atlanta’s Roadside Emissions Exposure Study, and Colorado’s I-70 Eastbound Peak Period Shoulder Lane.
	Integrating Extreme Weather & Asset Management (5-22-2017) FHWA is taking applications for developing 4-6 pilot case studies on extreme weather and climate risk in asset management. This program is for States that have begun to study the risks of extreme weather events and climate change. The application deadline is June 30, 2017.
	Transportation Planning Excellence Awards for 2017 Announced (5-2017) The winners of FHWA’s 2017 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards were announced. The San Diego Association of Governments took “best of the best” award for its San Diego Forward Regional Plan. Winning initiatives/projects were focused on sustainable communities, transit systems, multimodal planning, community outreach, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and streetscapes.

Going Solar at the Speed of Light: State DOTs turn to solar to save money. Transportation agencies have high electric bills from lighting roads and operating maintenance shops. Since they also own land along roads that get plenty of sunshine, some state DOTs are using public-private partnerships to install solar panels. The solar panels help to reduce those electric bills while also generating clean energy. Graph shows the approximate highway solar energy capacity in megawatts: 2008 (.10); 2009 (.12); 2010 (.25); 2011 (.41); 2012 (2.71); 2013 (2.71), 2014 (2.72); 2015 (5.18); 2016 (5.25); 2017 (5.25); and 2018 (planned: 7.61). Photo shows a solar panel installation along a highway.

	FHWA Report Evaluates Eco-Logical Program (3-2018) FHWA has completed an evaluation study for the implementation of Eco-Logical, an ecosystem-based infrastructure planning and mitigation approach. This evaluation report describes the implementation actions of FHWA, such as the 2006 primary resource document, rounds of funding, peer exchanges and webinars, case studies and reports, and outreach to State and local agencies.
	FHWA Report on Nature-Based Coastal Resilience Features (2-2018) A report by FHWA details the current uses of nature-based infrastructure features for coastal-highway resilience. These projects mimic natural features and can be used to protect coastal highways from sea level rise and extreme weather events. The report includes information on natured-based solutions, lessons learned, performance, and examples of successful applications in Delaware and Virginia.
	FHWA Updates Vulnerability Assessment Framework (2-2018) The new edition of FHWA’s Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Framework for the impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure has been released. The third edition of the framework provides more detailed instructions, an expanded adaptation options analysis, and additional information on putting the results into action.

	Findings of Regional Congestion Pricing Workshops Published By FHWA (2-2018) A summary report has been published by FHWA on the findings from the Regional Congestion Pricing Workshops series. The workshop series was conducted between March 2016 and May 2017. The workshops included facilitated discussion on the planning and implementation of congestion pricing programs, the barriers to implementation, case studies, and outreach methods. Strategies for increasing political support to address equity concerns in pricing programs and stakeholder awareness were also covered.
	Report Shows Economic Benefits of Reduced Vehicle Miles Traveled (1-2018) A report by the National Center for Sustainable Transportation shows the residential and local economic benefits of reducing vehicle miles traveled, and indicates that home prices are higher in neighborhoods with good pedestrian characteristics.
	FHWA Newsletter Highlights Project Delivery (1-2018) This issue of the FHWA’s Successes in Stewardship newsletter focuses on the environmental review process efficiencies, improving environmental documentation, and bridge permitting.
	Evaluation of FHWA’s Roadside Revegetation Guide (1-2018) A review of FHWA’s roadside revegetation guide showed positive results, and also recommended that the guide should emphasize training and outreach efforts to promote effective methods.
	FHWA Requirements for Renewable Energy Projects in Highway Right-of-Way (12-2017) Several States have installed renewable energy infrastructure (such as solar panels or wind turbines) along highways, and other States are planning on doing the same. FHWA has released a quick guide for State DOT and FHWA Division Offices on federal requirements for such projects on Highway Right-of-Way.

Close-up photograph of a layer of thick road cement being laid by a construction crew

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	FHWA Sustainability Working Group
	FHWA Sustainable Transportation Website
	Eco-logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects

	FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
	FHWA Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Website
	FHWA INVEST 1.0 Self Evaluation Tool
	FHWA Livability Webpage
	FHWA Operational Performance Measurement Program
	FHWA Pavements Webpage
	FHWA Planning and Environmental Linkages
	FHWA PlanWorks: Better Planning, Better Projects
	FHWA Website on Renewable Energy on Highway Right-of-Way

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