skip to main content

Sustainable Highways Initiative

FHWA Initiatives

	FHWA Releases Database for Air Quality and Noise Analysis (DANA) tool (7-2021) The DANA is a tool recently created by FHWA to combine traffic data from existing data sources into a single database and process the combined data into properly formatted inputs to EPA’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) model and the FHWA's Traffic Noise Model Aide (TNMAide). DANA provides real-world measurements of traffic conditions for use in environmental analyses, instead of relying on transportation models to generate base year traffic data. DANA also helps ensure that environmental analyses use a consistent set of traffic data and processing methods across the entire country.
	FHWA Posts Recordings on Virtual Public Involvement Conversations Video Series (7-2021) FHWA published a video series on virtual public involvement tools and techniques. The video case studies feature examples from State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations. The case studies include approaches to reach diverse and underserved communities, such as developing bilingual resources.
	FHWA Announces Transportation Technology Grants With Focus on Equity, Environment and Economic Opportunity (7-2021) FHWA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $60 million in Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Program (ATCMTD) grants to fund new technologies that improve transportation systems. The ATCMTD has different focus areas each year and, this year for the first time, includes racial equity, environmental justice and access to opportunity. The program can also support electric-vehicle charging and other technologies that help reduce emissions.
	FHWA Accepting Applications for Accelerated Innovative Deployment Grants (7-2021) FHWA announced that up to $10 million in grants will be made available through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FHWA’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program. The funds are used to promote the deployment of proven innovations that can deliver road and bridge projects more cost-effectively among state, local and Tribal governments.

	FHWA Launches Environmental Justice (EJ) and Equity Screening Tools Peer Network (7-2021) FHWA’s Office of Human Environment’s recently restarted the EJ and Equity Screening Tools Peer Network. The purpose of the Peer Network is to provide a forum for staff at State DOTs and MPOs share experiences using GIS-based data tools to identify underserved populations within their respective State or region with the goal of facilitating equitable outcomes through transportation planning and project development. The Peer Network is also intended to provide an opportunity for State DOTs and MPOs to learn more about existing Federal screening tools and those under development. FHWA will host monthly Peer Network events through October 2021. These events will include presentations on Federal tools as well as DOT and MPO tools.
	FHWA Creates Program to Address Local and Tribal Road Safety Challenges (6-2021) FHWA recently initiated the Mentoring, Assistance, Training, and Communication Help (MATCH) program to provide free, broad-based technical assistance to local and tribal agencies facing roadway safety challenges. The program connects agencies requesting assistance with volunteers that have specific expertise to help successfully address the identified challenges.
	FHWA Posts Safety Video for Rural Local and Tribal Roads (6-2021) FHWA posted a video on strategies to address safety concerns on rural local and Tribal roads. The video provides a step-by-step process on how to analyze roadway and crash data, identify safety issues and needs, and select and implement countermeasures. It also provides resources and context-sensitive techniques for conducting road safety analyses. The video discusses concepts described in the FHWA Rural Local and Tribal Roads Safety Toolkit.
	FHWA Holds Webinar on Engaging Traditionally Underserved Communities using Virtual Public Involvement (VPI) (5-2021) FHWA’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review, held a peer exchange on May 4th focused on engaging traditionally underserved communities using VPI. The session featured a presentation and a discussion about holding virtual public meetings and NEPA‐required public hearings for underserved communities.
	FHWA Announces Alternative Fuel Corridor Designations and Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (4-2021) Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced the fifth round of AFC designations and funding for electric vehicle infrastructure at an Earth Day press conference. FHWA recently completed the fifth round of designations continuing the establishment of a national network of alternative fueling and charging infrastructure along national highway system corridors.

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.

	Looking to Aggregates to Improve Pavement Sustainability (7-2021) This Public Roads article spotlights FHWA’s research, tools, and data collection and analysis to improve how aggregate materials are sourced, planned, and used in sustainable pavement construction and maintenance.
	Evaluation of FHWA’s eNEPA Tool (7-2021) This report evaluates the use of eNEPA, particularly the use by State departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation stakeholders. eNEPA allows State DOTs to share documents, track comments, schedule tasks with participating agencies (including Federal agencies), and perform concurrent reviews for their environmental documents. The evaluation team collected information on the breadth and depth of eNEPA use, usability of eNEPA, and effectiveness of eNEPA at reducing projects' environmental-review timeline and improving timing, quantity, and quality of interagency collaboration in developing environmental documents.
	New Livability Fact Sheets Focus on Freight and Curbside Management (6-2021) FHWA released updated livability fact sheets covering topics including curbside management, freight, FHWA programs, and the role of State DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations. Updates discuss innovation in micromobility, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and the importance of connectivity between regional and local systems.

	Impacts of Automated Vehicles on Highway Infrastructure (6-2021) This research utilizes literature review, stakeholder engagement, and stakeholder engagement events to assesses the demands and impacts Automated Vehicles (AVs) place on current and future infrastructure assets. Based on this research, early strategies for stakeholders in AV readiness can begin implementing measures for a smooth transition. Early strategies include standardization of pavement markings, expanding preventative maintenance on roadways i.e. potholes, edge wear, and rutting, and enforcement of more standardized traffic management signage throughout the country.
	Effective Practices for Using UAS during Bridge Construction (6-2021) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are being used to improve the effectiveness of certain required tasks, reduce time and costs, and enhance safety during construction. This FHWA techbrief outlines effective strategies for using UAS during bridge construction. Strategies include using UAS to assess environmental conditions, documenting prior physical conditions of a construction site, and building a library of weekly photos to aid in the analysis of construction progress and community outreach.
	Developing Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Tools for Connected and Automated Vehicle Applications (6-2021) This report documents a simulation-based case study on a real world 13 mile long corridor in Northern Virginia, used to investigate the effectiveness of SAE J3016 Level 1 automation technology for mitigating or solving existing transportation problems related to congestion, fuel consumption and emissions. The case study involved site selection, model calibration, connected autonomous vehicle (CAV) model development, experimental design, simulation execution, result reporting, and recommendations for future studies. Three infrastructure scenerios were played out with ML 1 performing the best and ML 3 performing the worst, ML 1: dedicated ramps and CV and CAV eligible HOV lanes, ML 2: CV and CAV eligible HOV lanes, and ML 3: HOV lanes (baseline).
	Assessment on the Effectiveness of Performance-Based Planning and Programming (PBPP) in Transportation Decision-Making (6-2021) This report presents the findings of a study on how performance-based planning and programming influences transportation planning and programming decisions at 52 State departments of transportation and 85 metropolitan planning organizations. Research was conducted throughout 2020 using online reviews of planning and programming documents, interviews and peer exchanges with practitioners, and a survey of FHWA Division and Federal Transit Administration Region staff. This report documents current practices and identifies opportunities for enhancements.
	FHWA Publishes Updated Rails‐with‐Trails Report (5-2021) This updated Rails‐with‐Trails: Lessons Learned report documents how the state of the practice, perspectives, and context for rails‐with‐trails have evolved and includes updated effective practices. The information presented in this report is based on extensive research into existing and planned rails‐with‐trails that involved interviews with railroad officials and trail managers; a literature review of previous rail‐with‐trail studies; a review of trail planning guidance documents; and input from various railroad and trail professionals.

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

Webinar on FHWA DANA Tool and TNMAide
September 15, 2021
A national webinar will be held to provide information on the new DANA Tool and TNMAide.

	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

Privacy Policy | Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) | Accessibility | Web Policies & Notices | No Fear Act | Report Waste, Fraud and Abuse
USDOT Home | USA.gov | WhiteHouse.gov

Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000