Technical Service Programs
Guide to AASHTO’s Technical Service Programs and Products
AASHTO TC3
TC3 is proud to announce the launch of its new learning management system (LMS) and website. TC3 is migrating courses, previously housed on the National Highway Institute (NHI) website, to a new LMS platform that leverages AASHTO resources. An improved user experience with new functionality and new and updated courses will be two features of the TC3 LMS. In addition, users will be able to provide feedback directly to TC3 through course evaluations. TC3 has a library of more than 100 web-based training modules covering a variety of topics for construction, maintenance, and materials. To browse courses currently available, please visit the AASHTO Training Store. Some courses are still in the updating process and will become available within the next few months. In conjunction with the LMS launch, TC3 has also launched a new website with updated content including course overviews and request forms, volunteer information, upcoming events, and TC3 updates.
AASHTO Rail Resource Center
ARRC supports states in their efforts to establish and maintain passenger and freight rail programs that are expanding significantly in terms of both funding and responsibility by partnering with the Federal Rail Administration and others. ARRC provides assistance through webinars, peer-to-peer exchanges, meetings, internet exchanges, and publications.
AASHTOWare (Cooperative Computer Software Development Program)
The AASHTOWare® program allows member agencies to employ a cooperative approach to software development that incorporates best practices and enables state DOTs to pool resources to address the common problems and challenges. Software under the AASHTOWare® program is designed by state DOT experts for the state DOTs and is delivered by private-sector contractors.
AII (AASHTO Innovation Initiative)
The purpose of the AII is to identify and champion the implementation or deployment of a select few proven technologies, products or processes that are likely to yield significant economic or qualitative benefits to the users. The AII works with the Special Committee on Research and Innovation (SCRI) and the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) as well as others to identify new technologies.
AASHTO re:source
AASHTO re:source promotes the quality of testing in construction material laboratories of the AASHTO member departments and others through four activities: the routine assessment of laboratories; the distribution of proficiency test materials; technical support to the AASHTO Committee on Materials and Pavements in the operation of the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP); and the development of precision estimates for the AASHTO Committee on Materials and Pavements test methods.
APEL (AASHTO Product Evaluation List)
APEL provides as a web-based clearinghouse for state-level evaluation and testing of new and/or proprietary engineered transportation products. The program allows manufacturers to submit products online for evaluation to multiple agencies, and the program allows member agencies to customize and automate the work flow process for new product evaluations.
AASHTO Transportation Management Hub
The Transportation Management Hub provides access to a suite of transportation management products: The AASHTO Transportation Performance Management Portal, The AASHTO Transportation Asset Management Portal, and the AASHTO Enterprise Risk Management Portal.
CTPP (Census Transportation Planning Products)
AASHTO partners with the member departments to support the development of special census products and data tabulations for transportation, which are key inputs to a variety of state, regional, and local transportation policy and planning efforts. These census transportation data packages have proved invaluable in understanding characteristics about where people live and work, their journey-to-work commuting patterns, and the modes they use for getting to work.
DAMS (Development of AASHTO Materials Specifications)– PDF
DAMS supports the development of new materials standards and test methods, as well as revisions and updates to current standards, through assistance from independent technical writers. Funding expedites the development of these important documents and allows the Committee on Materials and Pavements to make better use of its volunteer members.
Design Publications Maintenance (DPM)
This technical service program was established to provide support for the activities of the Committee on Design and its technical committees in the development and maintenance of the AASHTO publications under their purview. This new TSP addresses the concerns in the resolution passed by the Board of Directors regarding the need for more frequently updated design standards.
EMTSP (Equipment Management Technical Service Program)
EMTSP assists state DOTs in more efficiently managing their equipment fleets with the goal of yielding significant savings as well as improved performance and reliability.
ETAP (Environmental Technical Assistance Program)
ETAP provides cost-effective services and timely information to assist state DOTs in meeting the difficult challenge of delivering their transportation programs in a timely and environmentally responsible manner.
Frequency Coordination
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has been designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the National Frequency Coordinator for the Highway Maintenance frequencies in the Public Safety Radio Service. As it has through more than 40 years of frequency coordination, AASHTO continues to rely heavily on a network of local coordinators. There is a designated local coordinator for highway maintenance frequencies in each of the 52 AASHTO member departments who possesses technical knowledge and is familiar with local terrain and radio propagational characteristics necessary for proper coordination of the frequencies.
Highway Safety Policy and Management Technical Service Program
The Safety program supports member departments’ highway safety efforts through coordination with other public safety agencies and highway safety partners to develop and implement programs for improving safety on all public roads. Activities include Highway Safety Manual development and implementation, update of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan, and efforts to revise and implement other safety-related publications.
LRFD Bridges and Structures Specifications Maintenance – PDF
This program supports maintenance of the LRFD specifications, as well as other related bridge specifications. Funding is also used for special studies on bridge design issues, AASHTO staff support to the Committee on Bridges and Structures, and updates of LRFD design examples.
MTAP (Multi-State Transit Technical Assistance Program)
MTAP enables state transit agencies to network and efficiently solve technical problems through a variety of peer exchange opportunities. MTAP helps state DOTs implement Federal Transit Administration programs, provides feedback to FTA on implementation issues and best practices, and creates a professional network to share best practices, receive technical assistance, and obtain new ideas from other states.
NOCoE (National Operations Center of Excellence)
The NOCoE provides the state DOTs with a wide range of resources related to best practices, training and skills development, technical assistance, communities of practice, and other opportunities related to transportation systems management and operation. Information on high-priority technical ar eas and opportunities for capacity building is delivered through a series of webinars, peer exchanges, and technical support activities.
NTPEP (National Transportation Product Evaluation Program)
NTPEP cooperatively tests manufactured transportation products that are of common interest to all member departments and shares the results from these laboratory and field evaluations.
Resilient and Sustainable Transportation Systems Program
AASHTO’s Resilient and Sustainable Transportation Systems Technical Assistance Program (RSTS) is designed to help state DOTs understand the potential effects of climate change and the range of strategies and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
SICOP (Snow and Ice Cooperative Program)
SICOP identifies and funds high priority winter maintenance research and technology transfer projects. Membership includes the AASHTO member departments, American Public Works Association (APWA), and the National Association of County Engineers (NACE).
TRAC/RIDES (Transportation and Civil Engineering/Roadways into Developing Elementary Students)
TRAC encourages students in grades 5 through 12 to pursue higher education and, ultimately, careers in civil engineering and transportation by providing schools with curriculum enhancements that demonstrate engineering and transportation principles. RIDES introduces younger elementary students to engineering and transportation careers through activities that emphasize classification, sequencing, and graphing process skills.
TSP2 (Transportation System Preservation Technical Service Program)
Participation in the TSP2 program helps the state DOTs preserve their pavements and bridges by helping them develop and implement their own preservation programs. Program staff field questions and provide technical guidance on preservation issues such as pavement and bridge treatments, materials, strategies, and best practices.