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AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Overview

Learn about the AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and its mission to promote quality research and excellence in state transportation systems. Discover RAC's responsibilities, structure, membership, and valuable resources for research managers. Enhance your understanding of the RAC mentoring program, pooled fund program, and information-sharing platforms like TRID and RIP database. Stay informed through SCOR/RAC website and access essential resources for transportation research management.

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AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Overview

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  1. “RAC 101” An Introduction to the AASHTO Research Advisory Committee 25 July 2011

  2. CURRICULUM Intro – Skip Mentoring Program – Skip SCOR/RAC web site; new member handbook; resources – Amy Peer Exchanges – Barnie Coop Research Programs – Chris Seven Keys – Gary TRB State Reps – Moy Q&A - all

  3. Background: • Established 1987 • Advisors to SCOR • Research Directors from each AASHTO member department • Appointed by member DOT CEO • Predominately highway-oriented AASHTO Vision: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials will be the voice for transportation and a catalyst for institutional and technical excellence.

  4. RAC Mission “To promote quality and excellence in research and in the application of research findings to improve state transportation systems.”

  5. RAC Responsibilities: • Demonstrate the value of research • Facilitate deployment of new technologies • Collect and disseminate information on current and completed research • Conduct peer exchanges on best practices for research management • Assist SCOR developing annual NCHRP

  6. AASHTO Regions

  7. Officers: • Chair and Vice Chair appointed by AASHTO President • SCOR and RAC Secretary: Director of the TRB Cooperative Research Programs • Leadership Team: • RAC Chair • RAC Vice Chair • Four Regional RAC Chairs • RAC Secretary

  8. Task Forces • Administration • Coordination & Collaboration • Value of Research • Program Management • Funding • Transportation Knowledge Networks • Peer Exchange (dissolved)

  9. Policies And Procedures: • Operating Guidelines • Each Regional RAC has its own objectives, policies and procedures, or by-laws. • Meetings: • January during TRB • National Summer meeting

  10. Role of Parent body: SCOR • “AASHTO’s driving force for transportation research and innovation” • Keep informed on transportation research • Solicit, evaluate, select NCHRP problem statements • Encourage effective use of research funding, and recommend appropriate funding levels • Serve as forum and advocate • Review, monitor, and foster coordination

  11. SCOR Membership: • Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson appointed by the AASHTO President. • Secretary: Director of TRB Research Progs. • 2 Senior Administrators from each AASHTO region • 2 Research Directors from each AASHTO region • Affiliate & ex-officio members

  12. RAC MENTORING PROGRAM • RAC Secretary sends welcoming letter • Regional chair talks to new member and assigns mentor • Mentor/new member talk on monthly basis covering various aspects of RAC and research program administration • Mentor assists new member in preparation for the annual summer meeting; participate together in RAC 101 • Mentor/new member provide feedback

  13. Questions and Discussion

  14. RAC Activities and Resources

  15. Pooled Fund Program • Enables states with common research interests and needs to collaborate by pooling resources • Administered by FHWA • Benefits • Leverage limited funds • Avoid duplication of effort • Undertake large-scale projects

  16. TPF Website: http://www.pooledfund.org/ • Anyone can • Search TPF studies • View current funding reconciliation spreadsheet • Authorized users can • Commit funds • Review level of commitments • Read study documents • Quarterly webinars

  17. Sharing information: • TRID & RIP

  18. Transportation Research Information Database (TRID) • World's largest and most comprehensive bibliographic resource on transportation information (900,000 records; 60,000+ with links to full-text documents) • Essential resource for solving problems, avoiding duplication, and building on existing research • RAC members can submit reports on-line for posting in TRID • Available free on-line at http://trid.trb.org/

  19. Research In Progress (RiP) Database: • 8,400 records • State DOTs, U.S. DOT, and UTCs can add, modify, and delete info on current research projects • Now includes U.S. and international research • RAC members can submit and search information online • “RAC input to TRID & RIP is vital”

  20. SCOR/RAC Website • New Member Handbook

  21. SCOR/RAC Website • Found on-line at: http://research.transportation.org/Pages/default.aspx • New Member Handbook • Answers basic questions new members might have • Provides links to additional information

  22. SCOR/RAC Website

  23. SCOR/RAC Website • Overview of SCOR and RAC • Mission statements, operating guidelines, rosters • RAC Task Forces • Upcoming Meetings

  24. SCOR/RAC Website • Contacts/Links • State DOTs • TRB (Cooperative Research Programs, SHRP2, TRB membership by state) • FHWA (pooled funds, IDEA, STEP, TFHRC) • AASHTO • RITA • UTCs

  25. SCOR/RAC Website • Resources for Research Managers • Peer Exchanges • Guide to State Transportation Research Manual • Model Calendar for Research Managers

  26. SCOR/RAC Website • Results of RAC Surveys • FAQs

  27. Peer Exchanges: Summary of Changes inSP&R Guide For Peer ExchangesIssued January 2010

  28. Peer Exchanges • Federal Requirement. • “Each State shall conduct peer reviews of its RD&T program and should participate in the review of other States' programs on a periodic basis.” [23 CFR 420.207 (b)] • Objective: improve the quality and effectiveness of research management process.

  29. Peer Exchanges: History • Federal Requirement emerging from ISTEA (1991). • One component of a new model for research management. • Peer Review vs. Peer Exchange

  30. Peer Exchanges: History • Federal Requirement emerging from ISTEA (1991). • One component of a new model for research management. • Peer Review vs. Peer Exchange

  31. Peer Exchanges: History • Federal Requirement emerging from ISTEA (1991). • One component of a new model for research management. • Peer Review vs. Peer Exchange

  32. Success of the Peer Exchange • The Peer Exchange is widely recognized as an excellent tool. • The Peer Exchange is frequently copied by other groups within transportation. • The goal of the RAC Peer Exchange Task Force was to improve the effectiveness of this valued tool.

  33. RAC Task Force and its Recommendations • Revise requirement to perform a peer exchange from once in 3 years to once in 5 years. • Allow more flexibility to explore alternate formats. • Provide assistance with travel reimbursement for panel participants. • Develop training materials & updated resources for FHWA Division Office & State DOT Research Personnel.

  34. Key Changes • Updates philosophy by both encouraging and creating the flexibility to use the peer exchange strategically. • Provides for alternate formats. • Revised interval between peer exchanges. • Revised peer exchange length. • Suggests new resources for peer exchange logistical support. • Clarifies close-out and follow-up requirements. • Clarifies the Role of the FHWA Division office

  35. Using your Peer Exchange Strategically • .

  36. Using your Peer Exchange Strategically • First Peer Exchange: • a) full evaluation of the program • Second Peer Exchange: • a) full evaluation of the program and/or • b) specific focus topics • After Second Peer Exchange: • a) full evaluation of the program and/or • b) specific focus topics • c) explore emerging opportunities for program improvements

  37. How to use your peer exchange strategically • Panel composition • Other participants • Format • Length • Timing • Activities planned during the exchange

  38. Alternative Formats • On-site at Host State (standard format) • Multi-state Peer Exchange • Virtual Peer Exchange • Multiple ”mini” Peer Exchanges

  39. Multi-state Peer Exchange • No more than 3 states may meet the requirement at a Multi-state Peer Exchange. • Must include an equal or greater number of panelists, beyond representatives of the Peer Exchange states. • Expected to be longer than a standard Peer Exchange. • Exchange must still incorporate discussion of facilities of all the Peer Exchange States. • All the Peer Exchange states must hold their own closeout meeting with their upper management and Division office.

  40. Virtual Peer Exchange • Only in rare instances. • Same array of participants as other formats. • Prohibits back-to-back virtual peer exchanges.

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