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Transportation Engineering and Road Research Alliance. Rory L. Rhinesmith, P.E Wisconsin DOT Mid Continent Transportation Research Symposium 08/15/2013. Background. Research governance structure formed in 2004 to foster a comprehensive road research program
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Transportation Engineering and Road Research Alliance Rory L. Rhinesmith, P.E Wisconsin DOT Mid Continent Transportation Research Symposium 08/15/2013
Background • Research governance structure formed in 2004 to foster a comprehensive road research program • Government + industry + academia = dynamic partnership to advance innovation in road engineering and construction • Partnering efforts reach beyond Minnesota to include transportation organizations in other states and Europe
TERRA Mission “Enhance the performance and sustainability of the transportation system by developing, communicating, and facilitating implementation of a comprehensive research program on pavement, materials, and related transportation engineering challenges, including issues related to cold climates.”
TERRA Vision “A dynamic partnership of government, industry, and academia that continuously advances innovations in road engineering and construction.”
General Assembly Members Industry • Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of MN/RMC Research and Education Foundation • American Engineering Testing • Associated General Contractors of MN • Braun Intertec • Caterpillar • Concrete Paving Association of MN/American Concrete Pavement Association • Flint Hills Resources • Mathy Technology and Engineering Services • Midstate Reclamation and Trucking • MN Asphalt Pavement Association • Road Science, A Division of ArrMaz National • Norwegian Public Roads Administration • United States Federal Highway Association State and Local • Iowa DOT • Michigan DOT • Minnesota DOT • Minnesota Local Road Research Board • New York State DOT • North Dakota DOT • Wisconsin DOT University • Iowa State University • Michigan Tech University • National Center for Pavement Preservation • University of Minnesota
Strategic Direction • Bold, synergistic research program: Research agenda that expands beyond MnROAD focus; leverages power of the group; utilizes diverse funding; engages and benefits members and is recognized nationally • Research implemented “on the ground”: Successful and visible implementation of transportation engineering and road research applications • Dynamic forum for research interchange: Continuous learning and sharing that enables members to educate each other and adapt to politics and a changing world through easily accessible information and ongoing exchange • Proactive partnership expansion: New members identified and recruited to increase research breadth, depth and resources • Thriving, changing and sustainable organization: Constant improvement of operational structures, roles, agreements and practices
Structure • General Assembly • Committees • Executive • Membership Engagement • Communications • Research Coordinators • Ad Hoc Task Forces
Alliance Successes • MnROAD reconstruction • Pooled fund membership • Pavement Conference
Benefits of Alliance • Capacity to anticipate future needs and trends • Research partnership expansion • Leveraging of funds to meet common goals • Improved collaboration between stakeholders: • Public • Private • Industry • Academic
Projects and Initiatives TERRA Innovation Series • Series of events focusing on transportation engineering and road research • Events will be held in TERRA member states • Goal is to communicate TERRA activities, innovations, and products through knowledge transfer, exchange, and demonstration
Projects and Initiatives Pooled Fund State Partnership: Design of Thin & Ultrathin Whitetopping • Delivering Design Tool • Meet traffic and environmental demands • Cost effective, long life pavement • Providing a National Solution Partner States: MO, MS, MN, PA, TX, NY Total Value: $415,000
Communication • Website • E-News • Research Fact Sheets • Annual Report • Innovation Series
Future • Implement next generation of organizational structure • Determine means to more quickly implement research results • Develop next generation of the TERRA research plan • Sustain and broaden communication strategies
Contact • Web • www.TerraRoadAlliance.org • E-mail • General Assembly Chairs: • Jill Thomas, Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association, jthomas@mnapa.org • Jim Grothaus, Univesrity of Minnesota, groth020@umn.edu • Rory Rhinesmith, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, rory.rhinesmith@dot.wi.gov • Resource Staff: • Maureen Jensen, Minnesota DOT, maureen.jensen@state.mn.us • Stephanie Malinoff, Center for Transportation Studies, malinoff@umn.edu