FHWA publishes policy revision to allow more flexibility in project design

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published revisions to current federal policy that will help reduce cost and speed up the design of roads and streets located in smaller towns and cities. In 1985, 13 design criteria were prioritized because of their perceived impact on operations and safety. Based on research and FHWA experience, several were removed under the new policy, leaving 10 criteria prioritized for high-speed roadways and only two criteria for lower-speed roads – such as rural roads that become main streets through smaller towns and cities. This will allow state and local engineers to develop flexible design solutions that meet local travel needs and goals.