Research Investments
People, time, and money
Leni Oman
Director, Office of Research & Library Services
AASHTO RAC/ TRB State Representatives Meeting
Burlington, VT
July 25, 2012
4-16-2012_ab
Funding is
declining and
our workforce
is shrinking
Less time and
money for
research activities
Legislative
mandate to
reduce 800 FTEs
in engineering
and technical
services by 2015
Source: WSDOT
2
5-15-2012_cr
Squeezing
the most
value out of
every penny
Ensuring
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
3
Research Executive Committee Changes
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
CURRENT
• 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.
11-13 BN Current Budget & Contract Value
$13,782,399
Old Research Executive
Committee Role
TPF Other
State -Contrib.,
31%
17 Projects
SPR, 28%
46 Projects
CSR, 37%
32 Projects
TPF-WSDOT
Contrib., 4%
# of Projects completed, continued, or started
TOTAL
104
State Planning and Research projects
46
Client-Sponsored research projects
32
Transportation Pooled Fund projects
17
Synthesis projects
9
SPR, TPF & CSR
Projects Contracted
$9,292,415
67%
Uncontracted
Projects
$193,000
1%
Program &
Research
Management
$1,835,000
13%
TRB/NCHRP
$1,624,984
12%
Library
Operations
$522,000
4%
TRAC
$315,000
2%
TRB:
Transportation Research Board
TRAC: Washington State Transportation Center
NCHRP: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
SPR: State Planning and Research
TPF: Transportation Pooled Fund Program
CSR: Client Sponsored Research
More Budget Context
Other lead
WSDOT
money
$1,390,000
5%
WSDOT
lead
Other money
$8,000,000
30%
Other lead
Other money
$15,300,000
58%
WSDOT
lead
WSDOT
money
$1,740,000
7%
Program Funding Trends
$7,000,000
$6,000,000
Transportation Pooled Fund
Project Value
by Contribution Source
Total Value $26,430,000
Leveraging just under $10
for every WSDOT dollar
spent.
$5,000,000
2006
$4,000,000
2008
$3,000,000
2010
$2,000,000
2012
$1,000,000
$0
SPR
CSR
TPF
SPR: State Planning and Research
TPF: Transportation Pooled Fund Program
CSR: Client Sponsored Research
WSDOT Employees
WSDOT Research Investments
WSDOT Funding and Employees
State Planning & Research
(SPR) Projects
• 46 Projects (Regular & Quick
Response)
• $2,601,876 to date
• 30 Technical Monitors
Transportation Pooled Fund
projects
• 17 WSDOT-led projects
Synthesis Studies
• 9 conducted to date for 9
different offices
Washington State
Transportation Center
• $313,000/BN ORLS funding.
$75K WSU, $238K UW
• $ 461,000/BN Congestion
Analysis & WSDOT Support
• $3,252,345 to date
Client Sponsored Research
• 32 Projects
• $3,562,356 to date
• ~17 Technical Monitors
• Sec. Hammond on TRB ExComm
• 46 Committee Members
• 2 Meetings/yr
• Chair travel sponsored for one
meeting/yr
TRB Cooperative Research
Project Panels
• 64 Panel Members (104 Panels)
• 2 or 3 days of sponsored travel
over 2 years/project
TRB SHRP2
• 27 Projects led by others
• ~27 Technical Monitors
TRB Standing Committees
National Cooperative Highway
Research Program
Contribution
• %100 unbudgeted Federal SPR
• 9 Program & Panel Oversight
Members
• Beta tests
• Pilot Projects
• $ 1,431,000/BN
Other Activities
TRB Core Services
1 TRB Policy Study Member
• %100 unbudgeted Federal SPR
1 Special Study Member (LTPP)
• $ 275,000/BN
1 TRB State Rep/Advisory Panel
Member
Data through May 31st, 2012
AASHTO’s Quick Response
Research Projects
AASHTO Research Programs
• CEO, SCOE, SCOP, SCOPT, SCOH,
SCOTS, SCOHTS
• Funded by NCHRP (State DOTs)
Transportation Pooled Fund
Program
• Project leadership
• Project participation
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
Transportation Research Board Programs
Participation in National Research Programs
National Cooperative
Highway Research Program
• Provide Funding Contribution
• Problem Statements
• Synthesis Topics
• Panel Nominations
Airport Cooperative
Research Program
• Problem Statements
• Synthesis Topics
• Panel Nominations
Transit Cooperative
Research Program
• Problem Statements
• Synthesis Topics
• Panel Nominations
National Freight Cooperative
Research Program
• Problem statements
• Panel Nominations
National Cooperative Rail
Research Program
• Problem statements
• Panel 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
Commercial Truck and Bus
Safety Synthesis Program
(CTBSSP)
• Topic submittal
Hazardous Materials
Cooperative Research
Program
• Panel nominations
Policy Studies
• Fund a topic
• Committee nominations
Legal Research
• Topic submittal for Highways,
Transit, and Airports
Marine Board
• Topic submittal
Active
Semi-Active
Inactive
FHWA Research Programs
Exploratory Advanced Research
RESOURCES
Surface Transportation Environment and
Planning Cooperative Research Program
FHWA Research Topics
Corporate Master Plan (CMP) for Research and
Deployment of Technology & Innovation
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
R&D Topics
• Infrastructure
• Operations
• Safety
Innovation Life Cycle Introduction
Roadmaps
Research Deployment
FHWA Priority Technologies
Every Day Counts Initiative
Highways for LIFE program
24 Priority, Market Ready Technologies and
Innovations Briefs
FTA Research Programs
RESOURCES
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)
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 Programs
NHTSA
RITA
RITA 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
Biomechanics & 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)
Research Decision Calendar
Research Schedule & Possible REC Meeting Schedule
WSDOT Quick Response Research
National Cooperative Rail Research Program
Transportation Pooled Fund Contributions
Schedules to be
determined
Decisions Anytime
SHRP2 Pilot Tests & Demonstration Projects
Panel selection for other CRPs
SCOHTS Research Program
Need to add
EDC, EAR, UTCs,
Client Sponsored Research
NCHRP Synthesis Topics Due TCRP Synthesis Topics Due
ACRP Problem Statements
Due
NCHRP rating process begins
WSDOT Response to RFI
Due
NCHRP 20-24 CEO Problem
Statements Due
NCFRP Panel nominations
TRB committee nominations
(selection is variable)
NCHRP 20-07 SCOH Problem Nominations for NCHRP
Statements Due
Panels
TRB Annual Meeting
13-17, 2013
Research Activity
Event/Due Dates
NCHRP 25-25 SCOE Problem TRB Annual Meeting Paper
Statements Due July 15 Submittals Due Aug 1
NCHRP problem statements ACRP Synthesis topics due
due Sept 15
Oct 1
Domestic Scan proposals
due Nov 15
WSDOT TPF Travel Plan due
TCRP problem statements
due
NCHRP 20-65 SCOPT
problem statements due July
1
WSDOT problem statements
due Sept 28
Fall SCOR meeting
TRB Annual Meeting Travel
Plan
TCRP Transit Legal Research
needs due July 1
NCHRP Legal Research needs
due Sept 15
NCFRP problem statements
due July 30
NCHRP 20-24 CEO Problem
Statements Due
STEP Project Concepts Due
(spring)
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
February
March
Spring Meeting
HfL Technology Partnerships
proposals due
20-07 and 20-24 projects
selected at AASHTO Spring
Meeting.
NCRRP projects selected
SCOR selects NCHRP
problem statements
January
REC Meetings
NCHRP 20-59 SCOTS
Problem Statements Due
HMCRP Panel nominations
Decision
Month
CTBSSP Topics Due
April
20-07 and 20-24 projects
selected at AASHTO Spring
Meeting
AASHTO CEO NCHRP ballot
May
June
Summer Meeting
July
August
September
Summer Meeting
October
WSDOT RFI distributed
WSDOT RAC selects research WSDOT REC plan review &
projects
approval
November
December
Winter Meeting
ACRP Problem Statements
TCRP Problem Statements
NCHRP Problem Statements
SCOH Problem Statements
NFCRP Problem Statements
NCHRP Legal Research
WSDOT Research SPR Funding Decision &
Technical Monitors
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
Client Sponsored Research
Quick Response Research
AASHTO Award Nomination for Research &
Innovation
Quick Response Research
Washington’s
transportation
system future
Our need for a
functioning
transportation system
continues to grow,
while our revenue
stream declines
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
14
Moving Washington is our three-pronged approach
to fight congestion and combat climate change
Adding capacity
strategically
Adding new capacity to
our currently overstressed transportation
system removes choke
points and bottlenecks,
completing critical
corridors; improve
reliability, throughput for
freight, commuters and
transit partners.
Operating roadways
efficiently
Managing demand
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.
15
15
Strategic research goals
Safety
Preservation
Environment
Design safety
Driver behavior
Vulnerability to risks
Accident analysis
Pedestrian/bicycle safety
Construction safety
Highway pavement preservation
Bridge preservation and replacement
Highway and bridge maintenance
Ferry maintenance and preservation
Airport runway preservation
Legacy computer systems
Highway practices
Fish passage through culverts
Wildlife connectivity
Protecting species
Cultural resources
Climate change
Noise reduction
Mobility
Stewardship
Economic Vitality
Traffic management
Traveler information
Variable tolling
Demand management
Highways and ferries operations
Non-motorized transportation
Project management and delivery
Advocate for system needs
IT and decision support
Accountability and communications
Workforce
Enterprise risk management
Planning and prioritization
Equitable access and ADA
Sustainability
Freight mobility
Public private partnerships
Contracting
Intercity, rural and special needs
16
4-3-2012_ab
Changing our business model
WSDOT
continues to
transform our
organization
and business
practices
There are many
unknowns. This
is a work in
progress
• 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?
17
Collaboration
is critical
What we can’t
afford to do
separately, we can
work to achieve
together
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
18
Reshaping the
Strategic
Investment of
Research
Resources
This is a work in
progress
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
19