Historically, the Federal Highway Administration, and its predecessor, the Bureau of Public Roads, has been a leader in the evolution of hydraulic engineering. For over 40 years, the FHWA has provided guidance and training to the bridge and roadway design communities through the Hydraulic Design and Hydraulic Engineering Circular series. With the advent of microcomputers, FHWA expanded into new areas by providing software that automated many hydraulic design and analysis concepts.

This tradition continues. Recently completed research is continually being put into practice, while proven hydraulic principles are improved upon and updated as new technology becomes available.

Looking to the 21st century, FHWA continues to meet new challenges in hydraulic engineering with the latest technologies. Concepts such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and CDROM applications are being adapted from other disciplines and are currently being considered for the advantages they may provide in the field.

The FHWA has established four continuing goals and milestones within this high priority area:

1. Metricate all Hydraulic Engineering Circulars, the Hydraulic Design Series, hydraulic computer programs and documentation, and training materials. Convert material to CD-ROM and make available on the World Wide Web.

2. Revise, update, and enhance these materials as new technology becomes available.

3. Develop and implement new design and analysis procedures and computer programs as research-in-progress is completed.

4. Train hydraulic engineers, bridge and roadway designers, and technicians in innovative hydraulic engineering practices.

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HIGHWAYTECHNET   VIRTUAL EXPO   STRUCTURES INDEX

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration