1. Enhancing and Evaluating Researcher Performance
May 18-20, 2010

2. Program Structure: We use both Internal & External Researchers
Mission: The mission of the Connecticut Department of Transportation is to provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region.
Goals:
Safety and Security
Preservation
Efficiency and Effectiveness
Quality of Life
Accountability and Transparency

3. Management Mechanisms, 1 of 2
In-house research engineers
External, CASE – Purchase Orders
External, UConn – MOU
External, NETC – MOU if UConn
External, NETC – Agreements for all
other State Land Grant Universities

4. Management Mechanisms, 2 of 2
External, TPF – Transfers to FHWA
External, TRB Core - Transfers to FHWA
External, NCHRP – AASHTO Agreement
& Transfers to FHWA

5. Basic Research Cycle for every program
Solicitation of needs
Review & Literature Search
Prioritize
Program
Initiate work if in-house
Initiate agreement if external
Progress reviews
Reporting
Implementation
Solicitation of needs – periodic, can be tied to individual program’s cycle
Review & Literature Search to determine if research has already been done
Prioritize relative to Department’s priorities and needs
Program with available funds
Initiate work if in-house
Initiate agreement if external
Progress reviews
Reporting
Implementation

6. Research Staff (1) Manager (1) Secretary
(1) Transportation Supervising Engr
(6) Transportation Engineer 3
(1) Transportation Engineer 2
(1) Transportation Planner
Special Studies
Solicitation of needs – periodic, can be tied to individual program’s cycle
Review & Literature Search to determine if research has already been done
Prioritize relative to Department’s priorities and needs
Program with available funds
Initiate work if in-house
Initiate agreement if external
Progress reviews
Reporting
Implementation

7. Other Staff in Research Unit
Photolog/HPMS Data
(1) Photolog Supervisor
(4) Transportation Engineer 2
Network Pavement Evaluation
(2) Transportation Engineer 3
Product Evaluation Coordinator
(1) Transportation Engineer 3
Solicitation of needs – periodic, can be tied to individual program’s cycle
Review & Literature Search to determine if research has already been done
Prioritize relative to Department’s priorities and needs
Program with available funds
Initiate work if in-house
Initiate agreement if external
Progress reviews
Reporting
Implementation

8. Participation in Various Research Programs
137 Active Projects

9. Basic Tools to Enhance Contractor Performance
Proposal Standards
Enforcing project planning good practice
Progress monitoring & reviews
Use of Technical Advisory Committees
Report Standards
Presentations
Payment controls
Budget controls

10. Challenge for Research Program 1 of 2
On-Going Need to Demonstrate Resource Level Justification and Communicate Program Value

11. Challenge for Research Program 2 of 2
Research challenges:
Inexperienced research need writers
Inexperienced proposal writers
Inexperienced researchers
Too may opportunities / staying focused
Financial, not administrative:
Loss of Funding in the recession
Indifference to loss of research funding in legislature and by top administrators
Anticipated that if compelling projects will get funding restored as Country comes out of recession.
Young faculty need research funding to get tenure or they go away.

12. Connecticut DOT Division of Research
Research URL:
Photolog URL:
James M. Sime, P.E.
Manager of Research
Connecticut DOT
Telephone: (860)