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1998 FHWA
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We aim to continually improve the public's access to activities, goods, and services through preservation, improvement, and expansion of the highway transportation system and enhancement of its operations, efficiency, and intermodal connections.
Protecting the health and safety of the traveling public and commercial drivers is imperative. While we have gained important ground in reducing highway fatalities over the past decade, there remains room for safety improvements. Highway crashes are disruptive and can often be costly--not only in human lives but also in lost productivity and related economic costs. At FHWA, we strive to improve the safety of our highways.
America's highways provide an economic life line for many businesses across the Nation. Road closures and congestion can mean delayed shipments and lost productivity. To eliminate lane closures for routine maintenance and testing, FHWA has fostered the development of a host of diagnostic equipment that can be used at highway speeds while vehicle mounted.
Mobility and productivity need not be achieved at the expense of public health and the preservation of our natural environment. To safeguard public health and the environment, we are monitoring and regulating noise levels, pollutants, and en-croachments on wetlands. Good transportation planning and operations do not sacrifice our natural resources.
Ensuring that our highways remain in a state of military readiness is a responsibility we have to our Nation. Perhaps, the greatest example of intermodalism is reflected in the mobilization and deployment of military forces and equipment. Military personnel must assemble rapidly at selected military bases from which military units, equipment, and supplies move initially over roads to air bases and seaports from which they deploy overseas.