By: Ann Gretter and Kevin Monaghan
To better serve the changing needs of the transportation community, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Highway Institute (NHI) has launched an updated website with e-commerce functionality, innovative new features and improved navigational tools. As the educational arm of the FHWA, NHI has provided training and instructional courses for more than 35 years, addressing the full life cycle of the highway transportation system. Improvements to the website have expedited the course selection and registration process and enhanced the overall user experience, with the goal of getting the right training to the right people at the right time.
Courses and training offered by NHI cover a range of topic areas, including pavements and materials, structures, geotechnical technology, construction and maintenance, environment, hydraulics, highway safety and design and traffic operations. Both instructor-led and online training are available.
In addition to looking up courses by key word, title and course number, users can search for courses by location, course level, session date and delivery type (such as whether it is instructor-led or web-based). Users also can browse the NHI training catalog for course information and scheduled sessions. Online course enrollment and payment also are now offered, making signing up for courses an easy and efficient process.
Agencies interested in sponsoring courses can submit a host request form online. Additionally, the website provides several resources for course hosts and instructors, including a local coordinator checklist, instructor checklist and orientation guide. A host tool kit will be available in the near future.
The updated website also features a “Resources” section for contractors who work with NHI to create and provide training content to customers.
Contractors can access an online registration form for new instructors, as well as obtain tool kits pertaining to style guidelines, training development and suggestions for effective implementation of NHI courses. Tutorials on the NHI philosophy of learning and knowledge evaluation methods are available.
Users have the option of creating a personalized ID to access secure areas of the website. The login feature enables users to take full advantage of the services provided through the new site, such as online purchasing from the NHI Store. For the first time, participant workbooks and other NHI training materials are available online. Training materials also will still be provided to participants at each course session.
The website enhancements will enable NHI to better track the impact of its training and strengthen the overall service it provides to its customers. Users are encouraged to provide feedback by using the “Contact Us” link on each page of the website. Come visit NHI online today at www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov.
