The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering lifting the deadlines it imposes on states to replace traffic signs, instead letting local and state transportation agencies decide when such markers should be upgraded. Currently, the DOT dictates how often traffic signs should be replaced, which can create a financial burden for states if new ones aren’t needed. The move could save local and state governments millions of dollars. Some deadlines deemed critical to public safety will be retained under the proposal. The FHWA also is soliciting Continue Reading

With hurricane season officially starting June 1, the Federal Highway Administration is making available a new tool that will help fleets and carriers plan ahead for altered traffic patterns potentially caused by road closures. Essentially, this Freight Analysis Framework tool recommends alternate routes without considering closed or damaged roads. Most recently, during the recent flooding that affected Interstate 40 in Arkansas, FHWA says it used FAF to project potential freight movement changes that affected six Southeast states and analyzed where longhaul Continue Reading

With the introduction of a new “safety culture” plan next year, the Federal Highway Administration hopes to continue to reduce the record low number of highway fatalities that were recorded in 2009, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. By changing the fundamentals of the approach to vehicle engineering, roadway design, enforcement policies and attitudes, the FHWA’s goal is zero deaths, as evidenced in the title of its plan, “Toward Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety.” The approach is inspired by a long-range strategic plan introduced in Continue Reading

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is taking steps to preserve historic bridges in the United States. The first of these is $9.4 million in grants to help rehabilitate and preserve 14 bridges in 10 states. Bridges tapped by the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program range from unique construction techniques to the Continue Reading