AASHTO RAC/ TRB State Representatives MeetingBurlington, VTJuly 25, 2012

Leni OmanDirector, Office of Research & Library Services

Research InvestmentsPeople, time, and money

Source: WSDOT

Funding is declining and our workforce is shrinkingLess time and money for research activities

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Legislative mandate to reduce 800 FTEs in engineering and technical services by 2015

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Squeezing the most value out of every pennyEnsuring transportation investments are delivered with high quality and value

WSDOT innovations provide greater efficiency and benefits

• Value engineering efforts provide the optimum solution at the least cost. Project cost estimates reduced by $375 million in the last two years.

• Implemented national best practices, such as expedited bridge delivery, concrete pavement dowel bar retrofits and low-cost safety investments reducing run-off-the-road fatalities.

• Making investments for the greatest benefits to stream habitats when transportation projects impact the natural environment.

• New technology for optimum freeway operations efficiency– Automated Traffic Management, electronic tolling and ramp metering– Real-time traveler information and mobile apps

• Performance-based management of preservation and maintenance

– Using technology and research advances on high-performing, lower-cost pavement preservation and repair.

– Maintenance tracking system and mobile data collection

Source: WSDOT

Research Executive Committee ChangesCURRENT

• Define research goals that are the basis for project selection

• Establish the selection committees

• Approve the funded research program

• Review key research findings

• Evaluate and finalize recommendations for implementation of research findings

Expanded to include

• Review of Client Sponsored Research funding

• Review of transportation pooled fund project contributions

• Identification of WSDOT objectives for national research programs

• Problem statements submitted

• Supporting what we submit

• Pilot Tests and Demonstration Projects

• Participation in national research committees and panels.

REC Chair : Assistant Secretary, Engineering & Regional Operations (Chief Engineer)

Members: Division Directors of:

• Strategic Planning

• Capital Program Development & Management

• Development

• Construction & Materials

• Traffic

• Public Transportation

• Highways & Local Programs

• Aviation

• Ferries

11-13 BN Current Budget & Contract Value$13,782,399

TRB: Transportation Research BoardTRAC: Washington State Transportation Center

NCHRP: National Cooperative Highway Research ProgramSPR: State Planning and Research

TPF: Transportation Pooled Fund ProgramCSR: Client Sponsored Research

# of Projects completed, continued, or startedTOTAL 104

State Planning and Research projects 46Client-Sponsored research projects 32

Transportation Pooled Fund projects 17Synthesis projects 9

SPR, 28%

CSR, 37%

TPF -WSDOT Contrib., 4%

TPF -Other

State Contrib., 31%

46 Projects

32 Projects

17 Projects

SPR, TPF & CSR Projects -

Contracted$9,292,415

67%

Uncontracted Projects

$193,0001%

Program & Research

Management$1,835,000

13%

Library Operations$522,000

4%TRB/NCHRP$1,624,984

12%

TRAC$315,000

2%

Old Research Executive Committee Role

More Budget Context

Other leadOther money$15,300,000

58%

Other leadWSDOT money

$1,390,0005%

WSDOT leadOther money$8,000,000

30%WSDOT lead

WSDOT money$1,740,000

7%

Transportation Pooled Fund Project Value by Contribution Source

Total Value $26,430,000Leveraging just under $10 for every WSDOT dollar spent.

$0

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

$5,000,000

$6,000,000

$7,000,000

SPR CSR TPF

2006

2008

2010

2012

Program Funding Trends

SPR: State Planning and ResearchTPF: Transportation Pooled Fund Program

CSR: Client Sponsored Research

WSDOT Research Investments

Client Sponsored Research• 32 Projects

• $3,562,356 to date

• ~17 Technical Monitors

Transportation Pooled Fund projects

• 17 WSDOT-led projects

• 27 Projects led by others

• ~27 Technical Monitors

• $3,252,345 to date

TRB Cooperative Research Project Panels

• 64 Panel Members (104 Panels)

• 2 or 3 days of sponsored travel over 2 years/project

TRB Standing Committees• Sec. Hammond on TRB ExComm

• 46 Committee Members

• 2 Meetings/yr

• Chair travel sponsored for one meeting/yr

TRB SHRP2• 9 Program & Panel Oversight

Members

• Beta tests

• Pilot Projects

Other Activities

1 TRB Policy Study Member

1 Special Study Member (LTPP)

1 TRB State Rep/Advisory Panel Member

TRB Core Services• %100 unbudgeted Federal SPR

• $ 275,000/BN

WSDOT Funding and Employees

WSDOT Employees

State Planning & Research (SPR) Projects

• 46 Projects (Regular & Quick Response)

• $2,601,876 to date

• 30 Technical MonitorsWashington State

Transportation Center• $313,000/BN ORLS funding.

$75K WSU, $238K UW

• $ 461,000/BN Congestion Analysis & WSDOT Support

Synthesis Studies• 9 conducted to date for 9

different offices

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Contribution• %100 unbudgeted Federal SPR

• $ 1,431,000/BN

Data through May 31st, 2012

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AASHTO’s Quick Response Research Projects• CEO, SCOE, SCOP, SCOPT, SCOH,

SCOTS, SCOHTS • Funded by NCHRP (State DOTs)

Transportation Pooled Fund Program

• Project leadership • Project participation

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Legal Research• Topic submittal for Highways,

Transit, and Airports

Airport Cooperative Research Program

• Problem Statements• Synthesis Topics• Panel Nominations

Transit Cooperative Research Program

• Problem Statements• Synthesis Topics• Panel Nominations

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

• Provide Funding Contribution• Problem Statements• Synthesis Topics• Panel Nominations

National Freight Cooperative Research Program• Problem statements• Panel Nominations

National Cooperative Rail Research Program• Problem statements• Panel Nominations

Commercial Truck and Bus Safety Synthesis Program

(CTBSSP)• Topic submittal

Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research

Program• Panel nominations

Marine Board• Topic submittal

Policy Studies• Fund a topic• Committee nominations

Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRPII)

• Expert Task Group appointments• Pilot Tests• Demonstration Projects

Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis

• Suggest promising but unproven innovations for Transit, Highways, Safety

International Scan Program• Topic submittal• Participation in Scan Team

Domestic Scan Program• Topic submittal• Participation in Scan Team

Technology Implementation Group• Technology submittal

Technical Services Programs• ETAP, NTPEP, APEL, AMRL, DAMS, TRAC,

SICOP, AETO, SAFETY, Climate Change, MTAP, NPHQ, LRFD, TSP2

Participation in National Research Programs

Semi-ActiveActive

Inactive

FHWA Research Programs

Exploratory Advanced Research

Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program

Exploratory Advanced Research

Highways for Life Program

Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program

International Visitor Program

Coordination of U.S. International Road Activities

International Highway Technology Scanning Program

Global Technology Exchange Program

Emerging Markets/Opportunities

RESOURCES

FHWA Research Topics

Corporate Master Plan (CMP) for Research and Deployment of Technology & Innovation

R&D Topics 

• Infrastructure

• Operations

• SafetyInnovation Life Cycle IntroductionRoadmapsResearch Deployment

FHWA Priority TechnologiesEvery Day Counts Initiative Highways for LIFE program 24 Priority, Market Ready Technologies and Innovations Briefs

FTA Research Programs

National Research and Technology Program 

Intelligent Transportation Systems for Transit 

National Fuel Cell Bus Program 

University Transportation Centers 

International Public Transportation Program 

Transit Cooperative Research Program 

Small Business Innovative Research 

Bus Testing Program 

Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) 

RESOURCES

FTA Research Funding

Applying for FTA Research Funding   

FTA Research Projects 

Research Reports 

Public Transportation Research Digest

FTA Public Transportation Research Digest 

Priority Areas supported by Research

Environmental Sustainability 

Livable and Sustainable Communities 

Safety 

State of Good Repair   

Bus Rapid Transit 

Related Programs

Training and Workforce Development 

More USDOT Research Programs

MARAD

Research and Development

Ballast Water and Aquatic Invasive Species

National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP)

Marine Board

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

National Maritime Enhancement Institutes (NMEIs)

Research Opportunities

• National Maritime Enhancement Institutes (NMEIs)

• University Transportation Centers (UTCs)

FAA

Advanced Pavement Design

Airport Design Technology

Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting Technology

Airport Wildlife Hazard Abatement

National Airport Pavement Test Facility

Nondestructive Pavement Testing

Pavement Materials

Operation of New Large Aircraft

Visual Guidance & Runway Incursion Reduction

Runway Surface Technology

Field Instrumentation and Testing

More USDOT Research ProgramsNHTSABiomechanics & Trauma Behavioral Research Crash Avoidance Crash Injury Research (CIREN) Crashworthiness Databases and Software Driver Simulation (NADS) Enhanced Safety Vehicles (ESV) Event Data Recorder (EDR) Human Factors Child Seat Research Public Meetings Vehicle Research & Testing (VRTC)

RITARITA Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office

University Transportation Centers

12 Tier 1 Centers

10 Regional Centers

(including PacTrans)

FRA

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Research and Development

PHMSA

PHMSA Research & Development

Research Schedule & Possible REC Meeting Schedule

Decisions Anytime

WSDOT Quick Response Research

Schedules to be determined

National Cooperative Rail Research Program

Need to add

Panel selection for other CRPsTransportation Pooled Fund Contributions

SCOHTS Research Program EDC, EAR, UTCs,

SHRP2 Pilot Tests & Demonstration Projects

Client Sponsored Research

Research Activity Event/Due Dates

TRB Annual Meeting13-17, 2013 NCHRP Synthesis Topics Due TCRP Synthesis Topics Due

ACRP Problem Statements Due CTBSSP Topics Due NCHRP 20-59 SCOTS Problem

Statements DueNCHRP 25-25 SCOE Problem

Statements Due July 15TRB Annual Meeting Paper Submittals Due Aug 1

NCHRP problem statements due Sept 15

ACRP Synthesis topics due Oct 1

Domestic Scan proposals due Nov 15 WSDOT RFI distributed

NCHRP rating process begins WSDOT Response to RFI Due NCHRP 20-24 CEO Problem Statements Due WSDOT TPF Travel Plan due TCRP problem statements

dueNCHRP 20-65 SCOPT problem statements due July 1 WSDOT problem statements

due Sept 28 Fall SCOR meeting

NCFRP Panel nominations TRB committee nominations (selection is variable) NCHRP 20-07 SCOH Problem

Statements DueNominations for NCHRP Panels

TRB Annual Meeting Travel Plan

TCRP Transit Legal Research needs due July 1 NCHRP Legal Research needs

due Sept 15

HMCRP Panel nominations STEP Project Concepts Due (spring)

HfL Technology Partnerships proposals due NCFRP problem statements

due July 30 NCHRP 20-24 CEO Problem Statements Due

SCOTS Panel nominations NCHRP 8-36 SCOP Problem Statements Due NCHRP 20-07 SCOH Problem

Statements Due

HfL Technology Partnerships proposals due Universities must have made

offers to grad students International Scan proposals due

Federal Discretionary Programs due - includes research activities NCFRP Panel nominations

Apr 1 WSDOT TPF contribution plan prepared

Decision SCOR selects NCHRP problem statements

20-07 and 20-24 projects selected at AASHTO Spring Meeting. NCRRP projects selected

AASHTO CEO NCHRP ballot 20-07 and 20-24 projects selected at AASHTO Spring Meeting

WSDOT RAC selects research projects

WSDOT REC plan review & approval

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December

REC Meetings

Spring Meeting Summer Meeting Summer Meeting Winter Meeting

ACRP Problem Statements TCRP Problem Statements NCHRP Problem Statements WSDOT Research SPR Funding Decision & Technical MonitorsSCOH Problem Statements NFCRP Problem Statements NCHRP Legal Research

AASHTO CEO Problem Statements SCOE Problem Statements SCOH Problem Statements ORLS TPF Contribution Plan Review

STEP Research Needs SCOPT Problem Statements AASHTO CEO Problem Statements NCHRP Synthesis Needs

TRB Committee nominations SCOTS Problem Statements International Scan interests TCRP Synthesis Needs

CTBSSP Topics Transit Legal Research Domestic Scan interests TRB Annual Meeting FYI

Client Sponsored Research NCHRP Panel Nominations ACRP Synthesis Topics Client Sponsored Research

Quick Response Research TRB Annual Meeting Travel Client Sponsored Research Quick Response Research

AASHTO Award Nomination for Research & Innovation

Client Sponsored Research Quick Response Research

Quick Response Research

Research Decision Calendar

Current issues

Treating the transportation system like the utility it is

• Gas taxes built the transportation system of the past.

• We need to look at new and different revenue sources to keep up with today’s changing technology.

– Fuel-efficient vehicles

– Electronic vehicles and charging stations

• User-based fees are here today and are likely in our future

– Tolling

– Mileage-based fees

– Other sources

Washington’s transportation system futureOur need for a functioning transportation system continues to grow, while our revenue stream declines

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Moving Washington is our three-pronged approach to fight congestion and combat climate change

Managing demandAdding capacity strategically

Operating roadways efficiently

Adding new capacity to our currently over-stressed transportation system removes choke points and bottlenecks, completing critical corridors; improve reliability, throughput for freight, commuters and transit partners.

Maximizing the use of the existing system and using available technology to communicate with and direct traffic, improves the system’s performance and generates revenue through variable pricing and other traffic management tools.

Providing more travel choices and options for people and freight helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our transportation system.

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Strategic research goals

Safety Preservation EnvironmentDesign safetyDriver behaviorVulnerability to risksAccident analysisPedestrian/bicycle safetyConstruction safety

Highway pavement preservationBridge preservation and replacementHighway and bridge maintenanceFerry maintenance and preservationAirport runway preservationLegacy computer systems

Highway practicesFish passage through culvertsWildlife connectivityProtecting speciesCultural resourcesClimate changeNoise reduction

Mobility Stewardship Economic VitalityTraffic managementTraveler information Variable tollingDemand managementHighways and ferries operationsNon-motorized transportation

Project management and deliveryAdvocate for system needsIT and decision supportAccountability and communicationsWorkforceEnterprise risk managementPlanning and prioritizationEquitable access and ADASustainability

Freight mobilityPublic private partnershipsContracting Intercity, rural and special needs

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Changing our business model

• Recognize that our business needs in the future will be different than the needs of the past

Evaluating our business needs

• Determine the skills needed to do the work• Assess individual employees’ skills• Identify the gaps• Develop individual training plans to bridge those gaps

What do we need to know?

• What is our base preservation and maintenance model?• What are our core competencies?• How do we transition to a mobile workforce?• How will we manage consultants?• What additional quality assurance measures need to be put in place?

WSDOT continues to transform our organization and business practices

There are many unknowns. This is a work in progress

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Research collaboration comes in many forms

• Business needs

• Potential solutions

• New technology or techniques

• Data, information, and technical expertise

• Field locations and test sites

• Funding

• Advocacy

Collaboration is criticalWhat we can’t afford to do separately, we can work to achieve together

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Timely support for business needs

• ensure that actions address the most pressing needs

• coordinated for the best outcome for our investments

• support implementation of results 

• Contribute to the advancement of practice

Support employee development

• Career development

• Succession planning

• Don’t disrupt daily agency management

• Development of future workforce

Reshaping the Strategic Investment of Research Resources

This is a work in progress

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