RCLG Meeting Notes: November 14, 2011

RAC-CUTC Liaison Group Conference Call

November 14, 2011

Participants: Sandra Larson, Allison Hardt, Martin Pietrucha, Chris Hedges, Richard Long, Shashi Nambisan, Skip Paul, Sue Sillick, Wes Lum, Daniel Yeh, Amy Schutzbach, Jason Bittner.

Decisions and action items are underscored.

1. Opening Remarks

Sandra Larson called the meeting to order and welcomed all participants.

2. Status reports for ongoing RAC-CUTC Liaison Group activities:

Workplan element 2 - successful partnerships between RAC and CUTC members

a. TRB 2012 annual meeting session

Sue Sillick distributed the final program for the session (see attached) to take place on Sunday from 5-6 pm during the TRB annual meeting. Speakers have been confirmed and the “Top 10” brochure will be available (see next item).

b. “Top 10 Characteristics” brochure

Chris Hedges will finalize the brochure based on the comments received to date. The working group will discuss how best to market and distribute the brochure. Shashi recently attended a conference sponsored by TRB and RITA on Improving Roadway Safety Programs through University-Agency Partnerships and plans to distribute the brochure and survey results to the participants.

Workplan element 3 - Guidelines on successful agreements between RAC and CUTC members in different states

Shashi, Leni, and Wes are working on this topic. The next step is to reach agreement on the main issues for that require further discussion and clarification, such as intellectual property/copy right/source code/rights of use/report management/use of draft material/ whether boards or committees are set up, etc. Sandra asked the group to provide an updated report status before the next Officers’ conference call in December. Sue Sillick volunteered to help this working group.

1 WP Element 4 - Sharing information about RAC and CUTC

Jason noted that the fact sheets on CUTC members compiled so far will require updating after the results of the current RITA UTC competition. He asked for direction – whether to publish the list now or wait to see what settles out after the competition. The current write-ups are focused on UTC status, although they will almost certainly continue to be CUTC members if they are no longer a UTC after the competition. It was agreed to post the results now and start updating the fact sheets in the spring.

Skip Paul reported that 36 state DOT research fact sheets have been posted on the RAC-SCOR website.

3. New Business a. Guidelines for research report writing.

Leni, Marty, Shashi, and Steve Pepin met by conference call and developed a draft document which is now under review by the working group. Martin hopes to distribute a draft to the RCLG for review over next two weeks. b. Review of MoU and workplan

Chris will distribute the current MoU and workplan to the RCLG members for review and discussion at the TRB meeting. Members will be asked to provide comments with suggested changes before the meeting.

Chris will distribute a calendar ballot to determine the best time and day for a meeting in the NCHRP suite during the annual meeting. c. CUTC participation at 2011 RAC meeting.

Sandra will forward the draft RAC agenda to Shashi, Martin, and Jason. Martin will be CUTC vice president by then and plans to attend the meeting. Theresa Adams will be president; Jason will send the RAC agenda to her and encourage her to attend. Sandra will follow up with the RAC 1 meeting organizers.

Shashi noted that RAC members are invited to the CUTC dinner and awards ceremony on Saturday evening at TRB. It is likely that financial constraints will prevent most RAC members from attending the dinner reimbursed, but may attend the ceremony after dinner. Martin will follow up with CUTC to determine how the invitations will be distributed. d. Martin is leading an effort for the RAC Program and Management Quality Task Force on research scoping and development of RFPs. This activity could complement RCLG activities on quality of reports and research partnership agreements.

4. Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place during the TRB annual meeting on a date to be determined by a calendar ballot.