RAC 4 Teleconference Notes Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Present on Call: Ron Curb, OK (Chair) Anne Ellis, AZ (Vice Chair) Nancy Chinlund, CA Casey Abe, HI Ned Parrish, ID Ken Chambers, NV Barnie Jones, OR Cameron Kergaye, UT Leni Oman, WA Tim McDowell, WY
Changes to the “Policies and Procedures” or “Operating Guidelines” for consistency (directions from Skip). There is no real ‘rule’ about what these are called, just trying to gain some consistency. National committees have ‘bylaws’ whereas subcommittees have ‘operating guidelines.’
“Objectives of the committee will be to advise National RAC” – is this something we are trying to do, to advise national level? RAC 4 has four representatives on SCOR – but when I read this it appears that everything must come up through the SCOR Vice Chair (currently Sandra Larson) instead of through the RAC 4 members. Do they have an obligation to represent their region? Regions can ‘advise’ SCOR, but not “tell” them what to do. We could change the language.
Leni: Don’t see anything in here about implementation: “To promote and coordinate (and assist researchers in use of result)” language to be added to Guidelines or Bylaws –
Updates to Agenda topics --
US Access Board to discuss the Notice of Proposed Rule Making that is currently out regarding finalizing the ADA requirements in the public right of way. (No input needed from RAC 4)
Mark Norman was surveying the state DOTs regarding the upcoming TRB annual meeting (January 2012). The survey is asking about the overall expected participation, methods in which DOT employees are supported or not— do some employees take leave to participate, what it takes to get approval, etc. Barnie is aware of employees who have taken personal time.
Naturalistic Driving Study now has 50 pilot studies underway with state DOTs involving 1000 instrumented cars. The program still needs more participation. North Carolina and Seattle, plus 2 other locations (east coast) –
ITS JPO to Host Fall Webinar Series on Connected Vehicles and the Environment— ITS JPO announces a series of four webinars for its Applications for the Environment: Real-time Information Synthesis (AERIS) program. interested attendees need to register in advance for each webinar. http://www.its.dot.gov/meetings/aeris_webinar.htm
Turner-Fairbank has a new high-speed flume that enhances their capability for testing and modeling scour and its effects.
FHWA is working with the National Science Foundation to help stimulate more advanced research. They also want more environmental feedback on the deployment of various ITS technologies. Expect a series of Roadway Safety Workshops and webinars. RAC 4 Teleconference Notes Tuesday, October 18, 2011
AASHTO was meeting with FHWA to discuss streamlining the process for approving the use of proprietary products on transportation projects. There is an FHWA website on the subject. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/contracts/pif/index.cfm
Summer 2012 RAC/TRB meeting, Burlington, VT - July 22-26 2012 No damage from hurricane Irene, so plans continue apace for Burlington.
John Horsley and John Halikowski are available to participate, but specific time slots need to be identified. The hotel arrangements remain unchanged—no damage from Hurricane Irene.
Transportation Knowledge Networks Task Force are submitted edits to the SCOR Strategic Plan and developed an FY 2013 NCHRP problem statement on E-readers. The Task Force is developing a 3- minute video on Transportation Knowledge Networks, what it is and how to participate. Don VanLandingham from NCHRP – problem statement for NCHRP – need your support!
Administration Task Force is working on a one-page fact sheets (Skip is heading this up) on DOT research capabilities—33 submitted thus far(19 to go); a one-page chart to illustrate relationship between AASHTO, TRB, FHWA, RAC, SCOR and others; promotion of the RAC mentoring program to the regional chairs; updating RAC regional bylaws; and a white paper on the need to develop a training module for research managers. RAC 4 has 9 of 18, so we are “worse than average” but we are also “bigger than average.”
TRB Session on “Successful RAC/CUTC Partnerships,” January 22, 5:00 – 6:00 pm Case study reports are being collected. Sue Sillick or Leni Oman will chair the session.
TRB January 22 RAC meeting, 6:30 – 9:30 pm The proposed agenda: (See attached file: RAC_TRB_Jan_2012_Agenda_1.doc) John Halikowski is also expected to present a SCOR report. (John Halikowski will not be attending TRB as far as we know currently).
State DOT Implementation of NCHRP Findings Rick Collins will moderate a TRB annual meeting 2012 session, being organized jointly with the Conduct of Research.
Barnie: proposed legislation on signals at all four legs of roundabouts? Legislation on tactile warnings? HAWK signals/systems – Ron – single point lights at intersections:
Upcoming Peer exchanges:
New Joisey: Leni attending
Arizona: Leni, Barnie attending (thanks!)
CA: just did theirs April 2010 (implementation) – learned that we had “too many active research projects” so we focused on the idea of narrowing the program to those projects that we could do something with. Categorized each project as 1) “continuing” – will have more than current phase; 2) completing, moving into deployment; 3) tech transfer, with different levels of tech transfer for those. Also set up a Risk Assessment methodology (Nancy will share) to gauge risk and develop mitigation strategies. Nancy will send to Ron, to attach to Teleconference minutes. CalTrans could do a Webinar (maybe at next meeting?) finally – Larry will be rotating into a different division for 6 months – will continue to participate in TRB. Pete Zaniewski is still coordinator. Wes has actually retired, is bicycling and doing great! Still participating in TRB RAC 4 Teleconference Notes Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Oklahoma Research Day was a great success, engaged community. John Bowman (OK) will be at TRB in January.
UTCs –
Barnie has just written his 8th letter of support. 3 for OR- led, 2 for Portland State, 1 for Montana State; vague references to providing match to avoid overcommitting. CalTrans is considering exactly how much they can support in terms of matching funds; numerous memos/letters have gone out to three Berkeley; Minetta San Jose State (Transit); Metrans (partnering). Washington: Washington U. regional center; Tier 1 agricultural and rural freight (TX and ND); letters of support for three others led by other states. OK has the OK Transportation Center, hoping for competitive funding to come through, supporting for $0.5 M. WY? Hawaii: no UTC ID: Ned has written 2 letters for U’s in the NW UT: one to renew Mtn Plains Consortium, One to start a Tier 1 consortium NV/AZ/NM: Tier 1 – rural, sustainability, economics
Decisions made “around the beginning of the year” (Tim Klein) – but they are expecting around 200 proposals, so it may take awhile.
TRB attendance? OK: Chris Wesson, Research Liaison will be attending and one other OR: Two people in Division (new) attendees to TRB WA: 22 people AZ: 6 people, 3 from research Seems like everyone on the call is planning to attend, except Casey from HI