U.S. transportation agencies and industry seek to improve the highway infrastructure by enhancing processes for introducing new and innovative materials. The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research program sponsored a scanning study of Europe to investigate the use of superior materials in the highway infrastructure.

The U.S. delegation visited the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands to review their approaches to introducing, approving, and specifying new materials and products for highway construction. The team observed process differences between European and American practice and unique technologies with potential for use in the United States.

The scanning team's recommendations for U.S. application include developing a program to explore long-range solutions for meeting highway needs, a facility for accelerated testing of pavement markings, a model performance-based maintenance contract, and guidance on noise issues in pavement design, construction, and maintenance. The team also recommends further study of product development and material specification programs used in Europe.