European Practices in Transportation Workforce Development

FHWA INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

June 2003

INTRODUCTION

General Contact Information

Office of International Programs
FHWA/US DOT (HPIP)
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington DC 20590

Tel: 202.366.9636
Fax: 202.366.96626

international@fhwa.dot.gov
www.international.fhwa.dot.gov

Publication No. FHWA-PL-03-007
HPIP/04-03(5M)EW

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PREPARED BY THE INTERNATIONAL SCANNING STUDY TEAM

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FHWA INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) international programs focus on meeting the growing demands of its partners at the Federal, State, and local levels for access to information on state-of-the-art technology and the best practices used worldwide. While FHWA is considered a world leader in highway transportation, the domestic highway community is interested in the advanced technologies being developed by other countries, as well as innovative organizational and financing techniques used by FHWA's international counterparts.

The International Technology Scanning Program accesses and evaluates foreign technologies and innovations that could significantly benefit U.S. highway transportation systems. Access to foreign innovations is strengthened by U.S. participation in the technical committees of international highway organizations and through bilateral technical exchange agreements with selected nations. The program is undertaken cooperatively with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and its Select Committee on International Activities, and the Transportation Research Board's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (Panel 20-36), the private sector, and academia.

FHWA and its partners jointly determine priority topic areas. Teams of specialists in the specific areas of expertise being investigated are formed and sent to countries where significant advances and innovations have been made in technology, management practices, organizational structure, program delivery, and financing. Teams usually include Federal and State highway oficials, private sector and industry association representatives, and members of the academic community.

FHWA has organized more than 50 of these reviews and disseminated results nationwide. Topics have included pavements, bridge construction and maintenance, contracting, intermodal transport, organizational management, winter road maintenance, safety, intelligent transportation systems, planning, and policy. Findings are recommended for follow-up with further research and pilot or demonstration projects to verify adaptability to the United States. Information about the scan findings and results of pilot programs are then disseminated nationally to State and local highway transportation officials and the private sector for implementation.

This program has resulted in significant improvements and savings in road program technologies and practices throughout the United States, particularly in the areas of structures, pavements, safety, and winter road maintenance. Joint research and technologysharing projects have also been launched with international counterparts, further conserving resources and advancing the state of the art.

For a complete list of International Technology Scanning topics, and to order free copies of the reports, please see below.

Website: www.international.fhwa.dot.gov
Email:international@fhwa.dot.gov

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FHWA INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE REPORTS

INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SCANNING PROGRAM: BRINGING GLOBAL INNOVATIONS TO U.S. HIGHWAYS

INFRASTRUCTURE

Geotechnical Engineering Practices in Canada and Europe Geotechnology - Soil Nailing
International Contract Administration Techniques for Quality Enhancement - CATQUEST Contract Administration: Technology and Practice in Europe

PAVEMENTS

European Asphalt Technology
European Concrete Technology
South African Pavement Technology
Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction
Recycled Materials in European Highway Environments
Pavement Preservation Technology in France, South Africa, and Australia

BRIDGES

European Bridge Structures
Asian Bridge Structures
Bridge Maintenance Coatings
European Practices for Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures Advanced Composites in Bridges in Europe and Japan Steel Bridge Fabrication Technologies in Europe and Japan Performance of Concrete Segmental and Cable-Stayed Bridges in Europe

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

European Intermodal Programs: Planning, Policy, and Technology National Travel Surveys
Recycled Materials in European Highway Environments Geometric Design Practices for European Roads Sustainable Transportation Practices in Europe
Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Across European Highways European Right-of-Way and Utilities Best Practices

SAFETY

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety in England, Germany, and the Netherlands Speed Management and Enforcement Technology: Europe & Australia Safety Management Practices in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand Road Safety Audits - Final Report
Road Safety Audits - Case Studies
Innovative Traffic Control Technology & Practice in Europe
Commercial Vehicle Safety Technology & Practice in Europe
Methods and Procedures to Reduce Motorist Delays in European Work Zones Managing and Organizing Comprehensive Highway Safety in Europe

OPERATIONS

Advanced Transportation Technology
European Traffic Monitoring
Traffic Management and Traveler Information Systems European Winter Service Technology
Snowbreak Forest Book - Highway Snowstorm Countermeasure Manual (Translated from Japanese)
European Road Lighting Technologies
Freight Transportation: The European Market Traveler Information Systems in Europe

POLICY AND INFORMATION

Emerging Models for Delivering Transportation Programs and Services Acquiring Highway Transportation Information from Abroad - Handbook Acquiring Highway Transportation Information from Abroad - Final Report International Guide to Highway Transportation Information European Practices in Transportation Workforce Development

All publications are available at www.international.fhwa.dot.gov.