From the beginning, the Office of Public Roads included a group of men to develop new techniques through experiment and research. Historically, this activity has involved a strong element of “let’s try it and find out” as illustrated in this early bituminous macadam pavement experiment. Today’s broad program of research and development dealing with problems of safety, traffic management, environmental protection, materials, structures, and maintenance uses modern, scientific techniques in searching for solutions.
Rather than attempting to outline here a large number of technical advances, several broad historical milestones can be summarized. (1) The research mission of the Federal agency was clearly established, and, later, Federal funds were specifically earmarked for research. (2) A major research journal, Public Roads, was founded. (3) The cooperative and joint-participation concept with the States and industry was established. (4) The initial concentration on material and surfaces was rapidly expanded into areas such as structures, economic consequences, and the impact of traffic and trucks.
Federal Aid for Research
Federal Administrative Resources
The first sustained fiscal support for highway research was authorized by section 21 of the Federal Highway Act of 1921. The foundation for the Federal-aid State highway planning and research program was laid with the enactment of the Hayden-Cartwright Act of 1934.
Section 11 of the Hayden-Cartwright Act specified “With the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, not to exceed 1½ per centum of the amount apportioned for any year to any State . . . may be used for surveys, plans, and engineering investigations. . . .” Under this authorization, some States, with the delegated approval of the Bureau of Public Boads, initiated research activities, mostly in the area of physical materials of the highway.
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 contained for the first time the term “research” in addition to planning. Thus, the States at their option and with the approval of Public Roads could use a portion of the 1½ percent planning funds for research. Funds not used for planning or research could revert to the construction program. With the enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, the 1½ percent funds were restricted as of fiscal year 1964 to research and planning purposes only. If they were not used during their availability period, these funds would lapse.
To further encourage the States to increase their research and planning efforts, the 1962 Highway Act authorized, beginning with fiscal year 1964, the use of an additional one-half of 1 percent of sums apportioned for each fiscal year for planning and research, but this was optional. The initiative to conduct such efforts rests with the State highway departments.
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