Whitton envisioned that this research would encompass studies of human behavior, land use, employment, and new technologies.

[1] Another anecdote contributing to NCHRP's founding comes from the late 1950s when it was noted that 32 state DOTs were researching the same topic without any knowledge of each other’s work.

This revelation provided incentive for the states to pool their resources on a national research program addressing common problems.

The extent of duplicative and isolated research was mentioned in a conversation between Edward Holmes of the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) and Alfred E. Johnson, the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) executive director at the time.

[4] FHWA provides the funds to the NCHRP through a cooperative agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, the parent organization of the Transportation Research Board.