Daniel Yeh, Wisconsin DOT Research Program Mid-Continent Transportation Research Forum

September 6, 2012 Madison, Wisconsin

  Combined, the state DOTs fund about $180 million in research each year, with almost ALL of it through academic and consultant partners

  State DOT-based research may be different than private or university-based research  Applied vs. basic research  Funding & related rules  Processes

  We want to communicate the state DOT perspective to help to improve success through partnerships

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  Key elements of successful DOT / University partnerships based on national survey

  Overview of WisDOT Research Program  Who’s who  What’s what  Annual research cycle – Peg Lafky  Project management tools – Kimberley Dinkins   Technology transfer activities – Diane Gurtner

  Your perspectives

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  Information derived from a survey conducted by a liaison group of the AASHTO Research Advisory Committee and the Council of University Transportation Centers in July 2011

  The RAC / CUTC Liaison Group meets by conference call every two months and in-person twice per year to address common interest areas and advance transportation research nationally.

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1.  Each partner clearly understands the other’s culture, mission, goals, objectives and schedules.

2.  The partnership must be beneficial for all partners; it addresses both current priority needs of the DOT and the academic and business goals of the university.

3.  Good working relationships among the partners are based on trust, confidence and respect.

4.  Clear expectations and accountability for all partners is based on precise problem statements, scopes of work, contracts and deliverables.

5.  Effective ongoing communication among the partners is imperative.

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6.  All sides have a willingness to contribute to the partnership (e.g., funds, expertise, equipment, time), creating incentives for all partners.

7.  All partners have strong leaders who serve as champions for the partnership.

8.  The research is not overburdened by administrative requirements. 9.  There is a collaborative process to identify research needs and

select projects. 10.  A good partnership among organizations begins with good

relationships among individuals.

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  WisDOT Research Program staff   Daniel Yeh – research manger   Kimberley Dinkins – contracts specialist   Diane Gurtner – technology transfer coordinator   Jacqueline Kamin – national programs coordinator   Peg Lafky – finance manager / policy research

  WisDOT Library   John Cherney – head librarian   Wendy Brand – catalog librarian   JonAnne Walters – operations & reference

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  UW - Madison support agreement   Dr. Tuncer Edil, Director   Angela Pakes Ahlman, Technical Director   Dr. Ali Soleimanbeigi, Administrative Specialist

  WisDOT project / technical managers   Approximately 50 staff members serving as “volunteers” on over

100 different active projects

  Other DOT program areas / partners

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WHRP; $860,000

Policy; $200,000

New product; $113,000

Pooled - lead state;

$175,000 Pooled -

participating; $975,000

National programs; $950,000

Management; $240,000

Tech transfer; $300,000

State research 31% Pooled

research 30% National research 25%

Staff functions

14%

Total = $3,813,000

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  Requirements for final reports   Proposal outline   Length limit   Budget template   Deadlines   Who to contact with questions

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  Day 1 – release RFP   Day 14 – deadline for clarifying questions   Day 21 – responses posted to web   Day 42 – proposals due electronically   Selection timeframe   Negotiations / contract

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  Project oversight committee (POC) Chair and POC roles

  WisDOT’s key project management tool: Quarterly Progress Report (Form DT1241)

  Invoices – processed quarterly   No-Cost Time Extension (NCTE Form DT1243)   Presentation of the draft final report

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  Walk through WisDOT Research web site http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/

 Project pages

  Final reports

 Project briefs

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  WisDOT Library http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/library/services/cat/catalog.htm

  National Transportation Library http://ntl.bts.gov/

  TRID (Transportation Research International Documentation) http://trid.trb.org/

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  What other information would help you understand how the WisDOT Research Program operates?

  How can the WisDOT Research Program better meet your needs?

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Contact us: Wisconsin Department of Transportation WisDOT Research & Library Unit research@dot.wi.gov