THE FEDERAL ROLE IN TRAFFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The objective of this article is to discuss the federal role in highway traffic research and development by briefly reviewing the history of the Federal Government's technical and financial assistance in the fields of traffic improvements and traffic research. Typical examples of traffic research projects being conducted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are described in order to show how these efforts have been structured to provide improved technology for traffic congestion and improving the operational efficiency of highways. Since it is generally recognized that there is a need for greater emphasis on improving the operational efficiency, safety, and environmental aspects of the nation's highway network, traffic research is a very important part of the total federal highway research and development program.