Rosa P: A digital library for transportation research

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Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
Office of Research Services (HRRS)
The Office of Research Services (HRRS) oversees the strategic direction and coordination of 
the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) research agenda and programs; management 
and operation of a federally owned and operated research facility called the Turner-Fairbank 
Highway Research Center (TFHRC) in McLean, VA; and communication about research 
projects, research results, and technology transfer.
HRRS is composed of three teams. 
The Research and Technology 
(R&T) Program Development and 
Partnership Team develops and 
executes strategic direction, policy, 
budget, program management, 
and administrative mechanisms 
to carry out a nationwide FHWA 
R&T program in cooperation with 
our partners. The Marketing and 
Communications (MarCom) 
Team provides the public and 
partners with knowledge of and 
access to research projects and 
results, including the development 
and execution of a comprehensive 
communications strategy, marketing 
plan, and mechanisms that support 
FHWA-wide R&T programs. The 
Resource Management Team 
provides administrative, resource, 
and logistical services for the Office 
of Research, Development, and 
Technology (RD&T) and TFHRC, 
including financial management; 
information technology; human 
resources; and property and 
inventory management. The 
team also manages TFHRC’s 
facilities, consisting of about 
178,000 square feet of buildings 
housing 15 laboratories, a library, 
office space, and data centers on 
43 acres of paved, turfed, and 
forested land.
Strategic Direction and 
Research Planning 
HRRS oversees a national highway 
research agenda that fills critical 
knowledge gaps, identifies 
collaboration opportunities, 
accelerates the deployment of 
innovations and technologies, and 
manages the Center’s resources to 
support the strategic direction.
HRRS activities include the 
following:
• Collaboration with the U.S. 
Department of Transportation’s 
(USDOT) Office of the Secretary 
and other operating administrations 
to develop FHWA’s RD&T 
strategic plan.(1)
• Legislative analysis and support 
for R&T.
• Research budget preparation and 
execution of FHWA’s Annual Modal 
Research Plan, spending plan, annual 
R&T budget request, and annual R&T 
budget delivery plan.(2)
Research Coordination 
The office works with agencies 
and organizations in the United 
States and abroad through national 
and State organizations and 
agencies, FHWA divisions, and 
other transportation organizations. 
Coordination includes the following:
• State Planning and Research 
Program.(3)
• Transportation Research Board Core 
Program Services.
• National Cooperative Highway 
Research Program.
Source: FHWA.© 2015 GeorgePeters / iStock.
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Office of Research Services (HRRS) 
• American Association of State 
Highway and Transportation Officials 
and National Research Council.
• Transportation Pooled Fund 
Program.(4)
Research Transition 
HRRS evaluates and assesses 
FHWA research programs and 
projects and supports the transition 
of technology from laboratory to 
implementation. Additionally, the 
office aims to accelerate the adoption 
of proven innovative practices and 
technologies as standard practice 
through the following resources:
• Assessment of project performance 
and communication of the benefits 
of R&T projects and programs to 
stakeholders.
• Access to research projects, research 
results, and technology transfer via 
the FHWA R&T website, searchable 
databases, and communication 
of market-ready technology to 
the appropriate FHWA program 
office, Federal agency, State or local 
government, and the public.
Marketing and 
Communications
HRRS promotes FHWA’s R&T 
program by disseminating 
information to stakeholders and 
the public through MarCom 
strategies. These strategies include 
developing messaging, managing 
communications, implementing 
outreach initiatives, and sharing 
information and research results 
through traditional and digital 
marketing. The MarCom Team 
supports FHWA’s research efforts 
through the following services:
• Publishing services for all RD&T 
research publications and periodicals, 
including Public Roads magazine 
and the R&T Now newsletter, 
which highlight research activities, 
best practices, and innovations in 
transportation.(5,6) 
• Marketing and outreach, including 
materials; exhibits; and electronic 
media, such as videos and virtual 
tours, to showcase TFHRC research 
projects and the expertise of TFHRC 
scientists and engineers.
• Online and electronic engagement, 
including internal and external 
websites to support all FHWA R&T 
programs, videos, webinars, and 
social media. 
• Access to published research through 
the FHWA Research Library and 
its journal, magazine, and digital 
resource subscriptions. The FHWA 
Research Library lends and borrows 
materials, conducts literature 
searches, and provides customers 
with the information needed to 
achieve FHWA’s mission and 
research goals.
Resource Management 
HRRS plans, coordinates, and 
supports vital services that form the 
backbone of business operations at 
TFHRC. These services include the 
following:
• Oversight of budgets, finances, and 
purchase requests and supervision 
of acquisitions, contracts, and 
allotments for RD&T-supported 
research and general operating 
expenses, financial reconciliations, 
and reporting.
• Management of administrative 
programs, workforce planning, 
employee development, and 
competitive sourcing. HRRS is also 
responsible for TFHRC emergency 
planning and continuity of 
operations.
• Coordination and purchase of all 
technology devices and electronics, 
wireless communication devices, 
Internet technology and services, and 
helpdesk support for the research 
facility and programs.
• Maintenance of all TFHRC 
physical property, equipment and 
inventory, records management, 
space management assistance, and 
administration of USDOT vehicles.
FHWA-HRT-24-177
HRRS-20/10-24(50)E
https://doi.org/10.21949/1521517
References
1. USDOT. 2023. Research, Development, 
and Technology Strategic Plan Fiscal 
Years 2022–2026. Washington, DC: 
U.S. Department of Transportation. 
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/
dot.gov/files/2023-01/USDOT%20
RDT%20Strategic%20Plan%20FY22-
26_010523_508.pdf, last accessed 
November 1, 2023.
2. USDOT. 2023. “RD&T Annual Modal 
Research Plans” (web page). https://
www.transportation.gov/administrations/
assistant-secretary-research-and-
technology/rdt-annual-modal-research-
plans, last accessed November 7, 2023.
3. Planning and Research Program 
Administration. 2022. 23 CFR Part 
420. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/
title-23/chapter-I/subchapter-E/
part-420#sp23.1.420.b, last accessed 
September 12, 2024.
4. National Cooperative Highway Research 
Program. 2024. “Welcome to the 
Transportation Pooled Fund Program Web 
Site” (web page). https://www.pooledfund.
org/, last accessed September 12, 2024.
5. FHWA. 2024. “Public Roads Magazine” 
(web page). https://highways.dot.
gov/public-roads/home, last accessed 
September 30, 2024.
6. FHWA. 2024. “R&T Now Home” 
(web page). https://highways.dot.gov/
research/publications/RTNow, last 
accessed September 30, 2024.
Notice: This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the 
information contained in this document. Non-Binding Contents: Except for the statutes and regulations cited, the contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to 
bind the States or the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide information regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Quality Assurance Statement: The Federal 
Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure 
and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement. 
Disclaimer for Product Names and Manufacturers: The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this document only because they 
are considered essential to the objective of the document. They are included for informational purposes only and are not intended to reflect a preference, approval, or endorsement of any one product or entity.


Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center: Office of Research Services (HRRS)

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