1. Transportation Research Board National Cooperative Research Programs
RAC 101
July 26, 2010
Kansas City
Transportation Research Board National Cooperative Research Programs

2. Transportation Research Board
Technical Activities Division
Studies and Special Programs Division
Administration and Finance Division
Cooperative Research Programs Division
NCHRP TCRP
ACRP NCFRP HMCRP
Strategic Highway Research Program 2
Div A standing committees, over 4000 members; annual conference
Div B - Policy studies, Synthesis reports, information services, TRIS
Div C -
Div D - CRP
Div E - Special programs - SHRP; IDEA program

3. TRB Cooperative Research Programs
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (1962- $37 mill.)
Transit Cooperative Research Program
( $9 mill)
Commercial Truck & Bus Safety Synthesis Program ( $300,000)
Airport Cooperative Research Program
( $15 mill)

4. TRB Cooperative Research Programs (cont’d)
Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program
( $1 mill)
National Cooperative Freight Research Program
( $4 mill)

5. NCHRP “AASHTO’s Research Program” State DOT support Formed in 1962
Applied Research Focus
AASHTO asked TRB to administer the program when it was founded in 1962
Successful track record, reputation of objectivity

6. APPLIED Research: AASHTO Guides and Specifications
Guides for practitioners
Software products
Product enhancements
New or improved models/tools
Improved operations and services
Testing/evaluation techniques

7. Continuing NCHRP Projects:
Synthesis of Practice
International Scanning Program
Domestic Scanning Program
Quick response studies for AASHTO

8. Financial Support From State Departments of Transportation
With 5 1/2% of State Planning and Research funds (voluntary contribution)
SPR = 2% of Federal Aid Highway apportionment

9. RAC Participation in NCHRP:
Developing problem statements
Reviewing problem statements
Nominating panel members
Serving as panel members
Providing funding through SP&R
Evaluating and implementing results

10. The NCHRP Process

11. Problem Statements: Annual solicitation (June)
Must be submitted by either…
State Departments of Transportation
AASHTO committees and subcommittees
Federal Highway Administration
General description of problem or research need

12. TRB Standing Committees: WHY GET INVOLVED?
To learn
Keep yourself and your organization up to date on latest research and issues
Get to know leaders in profession
Leaders in profession get to know you!
Become part of a community
To help develop research ideas

13. How can I get my problem statement selected?
NCHRP problem statements must be …
Understandable
Original
Achievable
Affordable
Implementable
Beneficial
National in Scope
High priority
Widely supported, esp. by DOTs and AASHTO committees

14. “How to write an effective problem statement”
See: Funding Sources for Transportation Research: Competitive Programs, Appendix B

15. Problem statements reviewed by:
NCHRP and FHWA staff
AASHTO Standing Committee on Research
AASHTO Research Advisory Committee

16. Projects selected by: AASHTO Standing Committee on Research - SCOR
Approval Required by 2/3 of AASHTO Board of Directors

17. Formation of Advisory Panels
Experts in subject matter
Typically 8 members
4-5 State DOT
Academia, Associations, Private Sector, Local Gov’t
Liaison member from FHWA

18. Why serve on NCHRP panels? How do I submit my nomination?
Through AASHTO Research Advisory Committee Members
(see Research.Transportation.org)
Directly to NCHRP

19. NCHRP website http://trb.org/NCHRP/Public/NCHRP.aspx
Information on NCHRP and TCRP
Search engine
Project Info since 1988: Anticipated / Active / Completed
CRP publication lists / ordering info
Requests for proposals
Registration form for notification of RFPs