U.S. Domestic Scan Program

Scan 07-01

Best Practices in Project Delivery Management

Considered particularly organizational factors (e.g., degree of centralization or decentralization in agency management) that influence agencies’ abilities to reliably deliver projects on time and within budget.

Final Scan Team Report (12 Mb PDF file)

Scan 07-02

Best Practices in Accelerated Construction Techniques

Focused on actual construction operations and management practices rather than contractual or other incentives to develop and apply such practices.

Final Scan Team Report (19 Mb PDF file)

Scan 07-03

Best Practices in Winter Maintenance

Included operating methods, equipment and materials that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of snow and ice control operations, considering local government as well as state DOT experience.

Final Scan Team Report (20 Mb PDF file)

Scan 07-04

Best Practices in Regional, Multi-Agency Traffic Signal Operations Management

Addressed particularly the interactions of agencies at local, regional, and state levels to ensure effective traffic operations and system maintenance.

Final Scan Team Report (2 Mb PDF file)

Scan 07-05

Best Practices in Bridge Management Decision-Making

Addressed how decisions are being made about routine maintenance and major rehabilitations and reconstructions to minimize traffic disruptions and control agency life-cycle costs.

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 08-01

Best Practices in Managing STIPs, TIPs, and Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTPs) in Response to Fiscal Constraints

Considered how state and metropolitan agencies address institutional and technical issues in identifying and applying fiscal constraints to modify their highways system plans.

Final Scan Team Report (1.4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 08-02

Best Practices in Maximizing Traffic Flow on Existing Highway Facilities

Considered such techniques as applications of ITS technology, uses of shoulders and lane reversals, and pricing, that may be used to alleviate congestion.

Final Scan Team Report (2.4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 08-03

Best Practices in Addressing NPDES and Other Water Quality Issues in Highway System Management

Considered the perspectives of both environmental protection and transportation agencies in identifying effective practices for ensuring compliance with regulations and achievement of broader objectives.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 08-04

Best Practices in Work Zone Assessment, Data Collection and Performance Measurements

Addressed traffic monitoring and management practices in and around work zones to ensure safety and minimize congestion.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 09-01

Best Practices in QC/QA of Design Plans

Examined policies and procedures used to ensure high quality highway and bridge designs.

 Final Scan Team Report (6 Mb PDF file)

Scan 09-03

Best Practices in Solutions for Lane Departure Avoidance and Traffic Calming

Reviewed innovative traffic-calming and speed-reducing measures deployed on non-freeway highways at or approaching locations and situations where lower speeds are critical to safety.

Final Scan Team Report (5 Mb PDF file) 

Scan 09-04

Best Practices In Successful Strategies for Motorcycle Safety

Examined infrastructure- and behavior-related countermeasures and program strategies that reduce motorcycle fatalities.

Final Scan Team Report (4.4 Mb PDF file) 

Scan 09-05

Best Practices for Roadway Tunnel Design, Construction and Maintenance

Identified specialized technology and standards (such as NFPA 502 standards and others) used in monitoring or inspecting structural elements and operating equipment to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime during maintenance or rehabilitation.

Final Scan Team Report (3.3 Mb PDF file) 

Scan 10-01

Best Practices for Risk-Based Forecasts of Land Volatility for Corridor Management and Sustainable Communities

Identified information and analysis tools agency officials can use to identify corridors subject to risk of development and land-use volatility, assisting officials to take timely action to achieve livable communities and preserve transportation corridors.

Final Scan Team Report (3.7 Mb PDF file)

Scan 10-02

Best Practices for Addressing Access and Parking Needs of Non-Resident Users of Rail and Intermodal Transportation Stations in Transit-Oriented Developments

Identified practices to accommodate growth in demand for access to rail and transit services while preserving the principles and benefits of transit-oriented developments.

Final Scan Team Report (2.3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 10-03

Best Practices in Performance Measuring for Highway Maintenance and Preservation

Identified effective performance measures and measurement and reporting systems supporting strategic decision making by officials responsible for highway maintenance and preservation.

Final Scan Team Report (2.6 Mb PDF file)

Scan 10-04 

Best Practices Supporting Traffic Incident Management (TIM) through Integrated Communication Between Traffic Management Centers and Law Enforcement and Effective Performance-Measurement Data

Examined TIM practices in regions that have integrated communication between traffic management centers and law enforcement and implemented effective performance-measurement data collection, with particular regard for adoption of CAD and related technology; and the perspectives of transportation, law enforcement, and other incident-response agencies on these practices.

Final Scan Team Report (2.9 Mb PDF file)

Scan 11-01

Leading Practices Large-Scale Outsourcing and in Privatization of Maintenance Functions

Focused on agencies’ experience with outsourcing of significant elements of their maintenance activities, considering contractual arrangements, actual maintenance operations and management practices employed, and consequences for resource utilization and system performance.

Final Scan Team Report (2.9 Mb PDF file)

Scan 11-02

Best Practices Regarding Performance of ABC Connections in Bridges Subjected To Multi-Hazard and Extreme Events

Identified domestically-used ABC connection details—Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) practices, used to reduce the time and sometimes costs—that perform well under extreme event loading such as those experienced by bridges subjected to waves and tidal or storm-surges, seismic events, and other large lateral forces. The scan was planned to augment results of the 2004 FHWA/AASHTO/NCHRP International Scan on Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems.

Final Scan Team Report (3.2 Mb PDF file)

Scan 12-01

Advances in State DOT Superload Permit Processes and Practices

Investigated how states' permitting and bridge offices are responding to ever-increasing Superloads and, in particular, applying AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) provisions for permits.

Final Scan Team Report (5.1 Mb PDF file) 

Scan 12-02

Advances in Strategies for Implementing Integrated Corridor Management (ICM)

Examined ICM implementation experience in DOTs, MPOs and other transportation organizations in states such as Florida, New York, Utah, Texas, and Washington, to understand how agencies are working to maximize traffic flow on existing facilities by using all available pavement and applying new technologies and better management techniques to reduce both recurring and non-recurring congestion. The scan will consider, for example, staffing policies and practices, interagency budgeting and cost distribution, investment project planning and funding procedures, incident response procedures, service outsourcing, and performance monitoring and reporting, as well as applications of technologies for monitoring traffic operations and supporting rapid and reliable incident detection and response.

Final Scan Team Report (5.7 Mb PDF file) 

Scan 12-03

Advances in Safety Program Practices in “Zero-Fatalities” States

Examined practices in jurisdictions that have adopted “zero fatalities” highway safety goals to learn how the goal influences agency management philosophy and public attitudes and the practical consequences of the goal for Strategic Highway Safety Plans development, implementation, and performance monitoring.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 12-04

Advances in Transportation Agency Knowledge Management

Examined how agencies have begun to formalize their information sharing, coaching, and other knowledge management practices to ensure that their staffs continue to maintain proficiency in providing a high level of service within their jurisdiction. The scan examined such cases to learn what practices are particularly effective, what characteristics of the agency and workforce influence the effectiveness of various knowledge management practices, and useful strategies for selecting and implementing effective practice.

Final Scan Team Report (3.7 Mb PDF file)

Scan 13-01

Leading Management Practices For Developing A Cross-Trained Workforce

Investigated how agencies are using workforce cross-training as a strategy for enhancing agency efficiency and agility in adapting to changing missions, priorities and budgets; and the conditions under which cross-training strategies are applicable and appropriate.

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 13-02

Advances in Civil Integrated Management (CIM)

Explored how CIM technologies are being used in transportation projects; the partnering efforts among DOTs, consultants, contractors, and materials suppliers that may accompany CIM utilization; and project characteristics (for example, program size, degree of management centralization, use of outsourcing) that may influence CIM effectiveness.

Final Scan Team Report (3.1 Mb PDF file)

Scan 13-03

Leading Practices in Use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) Composites in Transportation Infrastructure

Reviewed leading-edge applications in transportation structures and other areas of practice adaptable to transportation, considering agencies' experiences with project development and facility performance.

Final Scan Team Report (5 Mb PDF file) 

Scan 14-01

Leading Management Practices in Determining Funding Levels for Maintenance and Preservation

Investigated funding allocation practices within transportation agencies that have successfully ensured reliably adequate funding to support delivery of efficient and effective maintenance programs. A peer exchange subsequently was held to encourage dissemination and application of the scan team’s findings, with funding support from NCHRP Project 20-44, “Moving Research into Practice.” A summary of survey data shared during the peer exchange is available for download by clicking here (300 Kb PDF file); the full report of the peer exchange is available by clicking here (1 Mb PDF file).

Final Scan Team Report (3.6 Mb PDF file)

Scan 14-02

Successful Intermodal Corridor Management Practices for Sustainable System Performance

Examined practices in DOTs, MPOs and other jurisdictions where corridor management has been taken beyond the concept of integrating technical operational capabilities to optimizing the potential contributions for a variety of modes within corridors.

Final Scan Team Report (4.5 Mb PDF file)

Scan 14-03

Successful Approaches for the Development of an Organization-wide Safety Culture in Transportation Agencies

Examined organizations that have designed and implemented strategic safety-culture transformation programs to consider experience applicable to enhance highway safety.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 15-01

Developing and Maintaining Construction Inspection Competence

Investigated how transportation agencies are using training and other methods to develop and maintain their construction inspectors’ competence as construction materials and methods and the labor force evolve.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 15-02

Bridge Scour Risk Management

Examined successful applications of vulnerability assessment, countermeasures, and monitoring systems to reduce bridge-scour risk.

Final Scan Team Report (8 Mb PDF file)

Scan 15-03

Preservation Practices for Steel Bridge Coatings

Investigated leading practices for corrosion mitigation through coating management and recoating and associated management of environmentally hazardous materials.

 Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 16-01 

Leading Practices in the Use of the Highway Safety Manual for Planning, Design and Operations

Assessed the processes, job aids and tools, workforce training, and manner in which agencies have institutionalized the Highway Safety Manual as part of performance based and asset management processes in planning, design and operations.

Final Scan Team Report (6 Mb PDF file)

Scan 16-02

Leading Landscape Design Practices for Cost-Effective Roadside Water Management

Reviewed recent experience with green infrastructure practices for roadside water management to identify planning and design criteria, management practices, and exemplary applications that may be broadly useful in transportation agencies nationwide.

Final Scan Team Report (22 Mb PDF file)

Scan 17-01

Successful Approaches for the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems by Surface Transportation Agencies

Investigated how agencies and their contractors are using UAS to facilitate inspection, inventory, survey, and other facility operations and dealing with regulatory and other impediments to UAS deployment.

Final Scan Team Report (37 Mb PDF file).

Scan 17-02

Successful Approaches to Accommodate Additional Modes and Services in Existing Right Of Way

Explored how agencies are accommodating transit, high occupancy vehicles, bikes, freight or enhanced pedestrian access within existing highway rights of way.

Final Scan Team Report (22 Mb PDF file)

Scan 17-03

Experiences in the Performance of Bridge Bearings And Expansion Joints Used For Highway Bridges

Investigated leading practices for monitoring, inspection, testing, and remediation of bearings and expansion joints and implications of damage and repair experience for design.

Final Scan Team Report (11 Mb PDF file)

Scan 18-01

Hydro-demolition for Partial-Depth Removal of Bridge Decks

Examined bridges undergoing hydro-demolition as well as bridges that have undergone past hydro-demolition deck replacements to study both the hydro-demolition process and long term performance of bridges that have been subject to a partial deck replacement.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 18-02

Leading Practices in Modifying Agency Organization and Management to Accommodate Changing Transportation System Technologies

Investigated how DOTs are changing their organizations, institutional arrangements, and management practices to improve transportation system performance through adoption of new technologies.

Final Scan Team Report (4 Mb PDF file)

Scan 19-01

Leading Practices for Detailing Bridge Ends and Approach Pavements to Limit Distress and Deterioration

Explored practices and tools for selection of appropriate details for use at the ends of bridges to achieve a jointless structure while minimizing the structural distress, maintenance and repair costs and improving the performance and durability of jointless bridges.

Final Scan Team Report (11 Mb PDF file)

Scan 19-02

Leading Practices in Strategic Workforce Management

Examined innovative strategic workforce management strategies DOTs are implementing, particularly those activities that can be quickly adopted and implemented to recruit, develop, and retain the workforces agencies need today and for the future.

Final Scan Team Report (6 Mb PDF file)

Scan 20-01

Successful Approaches to Utilizing Bridge Management Systems (BMS) for Strategic Decision Making in Asset Management Plans

Explored how agencies effectively integrated BMS data into their transportation asset-management plans (TAMP) to preserve and improve the condition of the assets and the performance of their system.

Final Scan Team Report (13 Mb PDF file)

Scan 20-02

Successful Approaches for Facilitating Truck Parking Accommodation Along Major Freight Corridors

Examined the roles and actions of transportation agencies, partners, and the public in applying successful strategies, developing emerging practices, and useful lessons to help address truck parking issues along major freight corridors within their jurisdictions.

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 21-01

Lessons of Agency Resilience During Periods of Disruption

Identifies the most innovative and beneficial elements of practices adopted by state transportation agencies to maintain their productivity and system performance during disruptions to “normal” operations caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic or other major events, particularly as those practices have enhanced agency resilience and are likely to strengthen agencies’ adaptability if confronted by future disruptions.

Final Scan Team Report (19 Mb PDF file)

Scan 21-02

Leading Approaches to Implementing Context-Based Classification of Roadways in Planning and Design

Examined the experiences of state transportation agencies that have led in applying the concept of context-based classification of roadways, introduced in the 7th edition of the AASHTO A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book), to extract lessons learned that may be valuable to others who have not yet implemented context-based classification.

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 21-03

Successful Approaches to Setting Project Development Budgets

Explored the procedures and experience of state transportation agencies viewed by their peers as having particularly successful procedures for setting project development budgets, to extract lessons that may be adapted to other agencies and applied to direct further improvements of budget estimation practices nationwide.

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 22-01

Recent Leading Innovations in the Design, Construction and Materials Used for Concrete Bridge Decks

Identified lessons learned from construction of bridge deck projects that utilize innovative materials and strategies, which will help States to consider future approaches to design of new bridge decks to provide better durability and service life of those decks .

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 22-02

Experiences in the Use of Digital Construction Management in the Highway Industry

Identified successful construction management processes utilized by states deploying innovative DCM practices and documents how the DCM was adopted, its governing architecture, value added by it’s use, and how others may accelerate the adoption of the proven innovation.

Final Scan Team Report (2 Mb PDF file)

Scan 22-03

Leading Practices in Equitable Decision Making to Supports Societal Goals within Transportation Agencies

Explored the methods that transportation organizations took to implement innovative strategies throughout their organization to improve safety and equity in transportation decision making, the specific organizational factors that lead to successful organizational mission implementation aimed at advancing societal goals, the methods that the organization successfully used with stakeholders to implement new strategies, and the information on what socioeconomic and sociodemographic metrics are being used by agencies in transportation funding decisions and project prioritization.

Final Scan Team Report (3 Mb PDF file)

Scan 23-01

Experiences in the Use of Mini and Modular Roundabouts by Highway Agencies

Explores the experiences and lessons learned gained in leading states that may be valuable to others who may be considering using mini or modular roundabouts. The scan team will meet with innovative agencies that have utilized mini- and/or modular roundabouts and discuss their experiences in design, construction, operation, and maintenance of them to.

Ongoing

Scan 23-02

Recent Experiences in Advancing and Deploying of Automated Vehicle Technologies

Enables state DOTs and IOOs to gain critical and much needed knowledge to better understand the methods, barriers and opportunities associated with automated technology testing and pilots that are needed now. The scan team will be tasked to review the experience of DOTs or other agencies by examining a representative sample of ADS tests, pilots, and deployments that have been notably successful to explore the institutional and management changes credited for the success and to extract lessons that can inform other agencies’ development.

Ongoing

Scan 23-03

Advances in Evaluation of Weld Quality

Examines the state of the art of in-process weld inspection and the resulting quality assurance used for ship building and heavy equipment manufacturing. The scan team will investigate the processes and controls used to produce quality welds in other that highway industries. The scan team will examine the equipment involved in weld inspection and quality assurance, the specifications used for equipment requirements and quality control procedures and calibration of the equipment to the appropriate quality standards.

Ongoing

Scan 23-04

Developing and Maintaining a Culture of Innovation within DOTs

Examines organizations that have successfully designed and implemented programs and/or initiatives that support a culture of innovation. The results of this scan would be used by AASHTO, FHWA and state DOTs as well as others in the transportation community who are interested in accelerating innovation within their organizations and building a culture that embraces it.

Ongoing

Scan 23-05

Successful Approaches to Validating and Communicating the Long-term Effects of Aging Government Fleet Assets

Examines organizations that have successfully developed and implemented practices and procedures to estimate the cost of delayed replacement of DOT Fleet Assets beyond the optimal replacement period and to gather data that might be used to develop decision making tools and models that can effectively communicate the long-term effects of aging the Fleet Assets to decision makers.

Ongoing

Scan 24-01

Leading Practices for Cost-Effective Vegetation Management within Highway Rights of Way

Examines various aspects of vegetation management strategies ranging from supporting native seed markets, targeted and integrated roadside vegetation management programs (IRVM), training, planning and site management.

Ongoing

Scan 24-02

Successful Agency Approaches to Response to Bridge Emergencies

Examines practices, procedures and plans of states, counties, metropolitan areas and municipalities that have successful approaches in responding to bridge emergencies. The team will document procedures for threat identification, response plans, and preparations specifically needed for rapid recovery.

Ongoing

Scan 24-03

Successful Approaches to Protecting Electrical and Communications Infrastructure within Highway Rights of Way

This scan will develop key recommendations, tools and technology, training and practices for DOTs striving to improve security of their infrastructure by reducing vandalism. The scan will identify possible actions for establishing statewide, regional, local and cooperative efforts to reduce damage to critical and sensitive electrical and communications infrastructure along state highways.

Ongoing