RAC Value of Research Task Force

RAC – Value of Research Task Force Meeting Minutes

Date April 8, 2013 Time Facilitator Dale Peabody Scribe Dale Peabody Subject RAC Value of Research Task Force Meeting Minutes Attendees Glenn Roberts, NH DOT; Mark Morvant, LA DOT; Daniel Yeh, WIDOT; Cindy Smith, MS DOT; Linda Taylor, MN DOT; John Moulden, FHWA; Steve Ziegler, ICFI; Bill Stone, MO DOT; Renee McHenry, MO DOT; Linda Narigon, Iowa DOT; Chris Jenks, TRB Action Items from October 30, 2012 meeting Action Item Owner Date Provide link to RPM web tool on Dale Completed RAC/SCOR website Bring RPM tool promotion role to Dale Completed RAC leadership Prepare guidance document for Daniel Completed HVR submittals and Sweet 16 ranking Prepare guidance document for HVR Mark & Steve Z. Completed submittal via the RPM web tool Investigate having a webinar on HVR Mark Completed submittal Key Points Discussed No Topic Highlights 1. High Value Research Submittals are due on Friday April 12th. To date, there are 80+ submittals in the RPM web tool. Anyone can generate a HVR report by year/Region from within the RPM. We will make one last announcement to encourage submittals. The Region Chairs will be asked to coordinate ranking top 4. Rankings are due on April 26th. NCHRP and FHWA submittals can be sent directly to Mark for inclusion into the full report. Deliverables: 1. HVR 2013 Compilation – Mark will coordinate with Dawn Vanlandingham – FHWA. The HVR submittal in RPM does not allow attachments so Mark will generate the HVR report, add attachments if needed, and send to Dawn for FHWA edit. 2. Research Makes the Difference 2013 brochure – We would like CTC to prepare the RMtD brochure again. Dale will coordinate with Pat Casey and Crawford Jencks. 3. RMtD brochures on themes (pavements, bridges, safety..) – It was suggested that CTC review submittals and make recommendations to the Task Force on possible thematic brochures. 2. RPM Web tool Question: What is the Task Force’s role in promotion of this web tool? This item was discussed by leadership. There may be opportunity to work with Program Management & Quality Task Force. Follow up is needed. In general, the mission of our Task Force does include being advocates for research performance measures. It was suggested that a webinar be put together now that there are more RPM users. Mark volunteered to lead a team to develop recommended webinar agenda that could be presented at the Task Force meeting during the RAC summer meeting. Other members of this team: Sue Sillick, Cindy Smith, Bill Stone, Linda Narigon, Steve Z.

Steve did mention that the RPM development is wrapping up but there were some small improvements that will be made to address RAC input.

Note: A RPM webinar was completed on Sept. 13, 2012. The video can be found at: http://vimeo.com/49703061

3. Best Practices Guide for Linda Taylor is putting together a document based on findings Quantifying the Benefits of from listserv inquiry. Linda’s inquiry asked for documentation Research regarding quantifying benefits such as processes, procedures, examples, criteria, reports. The Southeast Consortium led by LTRC is putting together a similar document. Linda and Mark will share these documents with the Task Force. This is a good agenda item for the TF summer meeting. What’s next? How can the Task Force advocate Best Practices?

4. 2013 RAC summer meeting A reminder that there will be a rapid-fire Sweet 16 session during the 2013 summer meeting in Baton Rouge. The focus is on benefits and implementation of research results.

5. Wrap Up and Next Steps See action items below 6. Next Meeting July 2013 – At Summer meeting in Baton Rouge

Action Items Action Item Owner Target Date Last call for 2013 HVR submittals Dale Completed Coordinate 2013 compilation with FHWA Mark July 2013 Coordinate 2013 Research Makes the Difference brochure – Dale July 2013 follow up with Pat Casey and Crawford Jencks Team to develop recommendations for RPM webinar Mark July 2013 Share reports on Best Practices – discuss next steps at Mark/Linda July 2013 summer meeting