Quality Quick Takes

March, 2005
Snapshots of quality-related highway developments

TRB Releases NCHRP 2005 IDEA Highway Program Report
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) has issued the National Cooperative Highway Research Program’s (NCHRP) latest progress report for the Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Highway Program. The “New Ideas for Highways: Annual Progress Report,” released in January, 2005, summarizes investigations into new and unproven concepts and evaluations of novel highway technology applications. The report details more than 100 projects in pioneering research to improve highway construction, maintenance, management, and other areas. The IDEA program, managed by the TRB, conducted under the NCHRP, and co-sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and member states of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), unites the investigator and the highway practitioner to launch innovative ideas into reality. Access the report in its entirety here (PDF, 4.1MB).
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Thomas Edison

Can You Hear Me Now?
FHWA Guides Participants in Quiet Pavement Pilot Program
The Federal Highway Administration has released guidance for state DOTs that want to develop a Quiet Pavement Pilot Program (QPPP) or conduct tire/pavement noise research. Pavements are a factor in traffic noise; however, due to a lack of research information, pavement types and surface textures historically have not been considered noise abatement measures. The January, 2005 FHWA guidance includes specifics on the QPPP implemented by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). ADOT had received previous approval from FHWA to use asphalt rubber friction courses on selected freeway segments in the Phoenix area in an attempt to reduce noise. For more information on the QPPP, go to http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/qpppmem.htm.
Innovation and partnership merge to produce quality of life improvements for highway users.

AHUA Study Gives Prognosis for America’s Most Severely Clogged Arteries
The American Highway Users Alliance (AHUA) recently released the results of a five-year study on ways to decongest the country’s worst highway bottlenecks. The bad news is that traffic congestion caused by major highway bottlenecks has grown by 40% in the past five years. The good news is that improvements are feasible and possible. Seven of the 18 worst bottlenecks have undergone major reconstruction projects which so dramatically improved traffic flow that they have been removed from their infamous rankings. Learn more about the quantifiable benefits of unclogging America’s arteries by clicking here (PDF, 9.2MB).
Reducing the time drivers spend in traffic congestion; improving overall safety; and maximizing the effectiveness of environmental solutions: all deliver heightened mobility to the driving public.

“And the Oscar Goes to…”
How to Improve Your ACTT Abilities
State DOTs have the opportunity to draw national expertise to their states through workshops sponsored by FHWA and the AASHTO Technology Implementation Group (TIG). The Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer (ACTT) program brings together experts from the public and private sectors at workshops hosted by state highway agencies. Workshop participants are drawn from a 175-member national resource pool representing 11 different skill sets essential to highway planning, design, contracting, financing and construction. They help evaluate all facets of specific projects from planning to problem-solving, share information, and spotlight creative ways to reduce construction time, improve safety, elevate quality, and reach project goals. For more about ACTT, visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/accelerated/index.htm.
Applying the capabilities and skill sets of top national experts can help shorten construction time and curb traffic disruption benefiting the economy and taxpayers.

AGC Builds Partnerships: Cornerstones of Quality Construction
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) recently signed a partnering agreement to advance their mutual goals of promoting construction markets and providing opportunities for all construction firms. This historic partnership looks forward to teaming on industry issues and improving the quality of construction projects by expanding access to business services and increasing competitiveness. To find out more, click here (DOC, 64.5KB).
Partnering brings more quality construction firms to the table of opportunity.

Observations on Partnering

"All who think cannot but see there is a sanction like that of religion which binds us in partnership in the serious work of the world." - Benjamin Franklin

"Nothing average ever stood as a monument to progress. When progress is looking for a partner, it doesn't turn to those who believe they are only average. It turns instead to those who are forever searching and striving to become the best they possibly can." - A. Lou Vickery

"It is probably not love that makes the world go around, but rather those mutually supportive alliances through which partners recognize their dependence on each other for the achievement of shared and private goals." - Fred Allen

back to Press Resources