Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

FHWA represents the USDOT on OECD/ECMT. Its participation is through the Joint Transportation Research Center (JTRC) Program. FHWA activities through the JTRC include serving as chairs on a number of projects, including a synthesis study to summarize current knowledge of new road technologies.

The goals of the JTRC program are met through the implementation of recommended transport policy and programs in OECD member countries. Many of the evaluations of best practices used in OECD member countries (including the U.S.) have direct relationships to U.S. DOT Strategic Goals, specifically safety, mobility and productivity.

The Office of International Programs (OIP) facilitates FHWA participation with OECD in coordination with the Office of Research, Development, and Technology. OIP prepares briefing papers, assists with the coordination of travel to and from OECD conferences.

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The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is a unique forum where the governments of 30 market democracies work together to address the economic, social and governance challenges of globalization as well as to exploit its opportunities. The Organization provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, and identify good practices and coordinate domestic and international policies.

Exchanges between OECD governments flow from information and analysis provided by a secretariat in Paris, which collects data, monitors trends, and analyzes and forecasts economic developments. It also researches social changes or evolving patterns in trade, environment, agriculture, technology, taxation and more.

The OECD helps governments to foster prosperity and fight poverty through economic growth, financial stability, trade and investment, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and development co-operation. It is helping to ensure that the environmental implications of economic and social development are taken into account. Other aims include creating jobs for everyone, social equity and achieving clean and effective governance.