The Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) was established by Congress in 1987 as a 5-year, $150 million research program to improve the performance and durability of our nation's roads and to make these roads safer for both motorists and highway workers. The research, performed by independent contractors, is targeted in four areas: highway operations, concrete and structures, asphalt, and long-term pavement performance (LTPP). The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act authorized additional funds for SHRP implementation and continuation of the 20-year LTPP program. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which is responsible for continuation of the LTPP program; is taking the lead in helping highway agencies make effective use of SHRP products.

As with any major research initiative, along with accomplishments, new needs and opportunities are emerging as SHRP nears completion. Indeed, SHRP staff and research contractors have already identified several topics for follow-up studies---in the areas of highway operations, concrete and structures, and asphalt---to help bridge the gap between research findings and implementation. As part of its responsibility for the continuation of the LTPP portion of SHRP, the FHWA will periodically address the needs for further research in pavement engineering.

Research is needed to identify and prioritize research and development activities related to highway operations, concrete and structures, and asphalt that should be pursued following the completion of SHRP to build on the completed research and to help facilitate the use of SHRP findings. To formulate a position on the needs for SHRP follow-up research and to identify the projects, the NCHRP expects to convene a workshop focused specifically on evaluating prospective research projects. In preparation for the workshops, the investigators selected to assist in NCHRP Project 20-35 will compile preliminary lists of potential research projects through review of SHRP findings and contact with individuals directly involved in the conduct, surveillance, and management of SHRP research and use of its findings. Following the workshop, the investigators will prepare three separate reports; each report will address the follow-up research needs for one of the SHRP research areas. These reports will reflect the workshop deliberations and indicate the priority ranking of the recommended research projects based on consensus of the participants.

The investigators selected to assist in NCHRP Project 20-35 will compile preliminary lists of potential research projects through review of SHRP findings and contact with individuals directly involved in the conduct, surveillance, and management of SHRP research and use of its findings.

Such individuals should be familiar with the many research activities conducted by SHRP, including those that were successfully completed and those that were curtailed because they did not appear promising. Staff; research contractors; advisory committees and panels of SHRP; and representatives of state, county, and local highway agencies and the highway industry are well suited for these contacts. The preliminary lists covering highway operations, concrete and structures, and asphalt should provide adequate details of the problem, the project objectives, potential benefit to highway agencies, and estimates of funds and time period required to perform the research. The NCHRP project panel in conjunction with the investigators will determine the format, scope, participants, and other details of the workshop. Following the workshop, the investigators will prepare three separate reports; each report will address the follow-up research needs for one of the SHRP research areas. These reports will reflect the wo rkshop deliberations and indicate the priority ranking of the recommended research projects based on consensus of the participants.

All research has been completed. The consensus developed at a workshop attended by some 50 individuals from various sectors of the highway community on SHRP follow-up research needs in the areas of Highway Operations, Concrete and Structures, and Asphalt was summarized in the final report, "SHRP Follow-Up Research Needs."