RAC Value of Research Task Force s1

RAC – Value of Research Task Force Meeting Minutes

Date February 16, 2012 Time 2:30 p.m. EST Facilitator Dale Peabody Scribe Dale Peabody Subject RAC Value of Research Task Force Meeting Minutes Attendees Joni DeMille, UDOT; Patrick Casey, CTC & Associates; Mark Morvant, LA DOT; Ann Overton, VADOT; Chris Jenks, NCHRP; Daniel Yeh, WIDOT; Glenn Roberts, NHDOT; Roberto DeDios, CODOT Action Items from October 27, 2011 meeting Action Item Owner Date Prepare draft of process used to Pat Casey November, develop the Research Makes a 2011 Difference brochure - COMPLETED Send weblink to Task Force for the Dale Peabody November, Research Makes a Difference 2011 brochure and the Research Impacts: Better – Faster – Cheaper (2011) document- COMPLETED

Review the SCOR Strategic Plan to Dale Peabody/Task Force Members February 16, offer ideas and suggestions on other 2012 deliverables the VOR can work on to assist the SCOR – COMPLETED During Feb 16 conference call Key Points Discussed No Topic Highlights 1. Review the SCOR Strategic Pages 7 – 9 of the SCOR Strategic Plan contain Value Plan of Research TF references. Subgoal 1.a.1, Document and publicize the value of completed research projects. The Task Force has a well established process for conducting this work. We continue to make tweaks and improve the process and deliverables and will use the NCHRP 20-63 RPM tool for integration. At this time it is not clear how the TF can assist with overall RPM tool implementation. Perhaps a topic for our summer TF meeting. Subgoal 1.a.2., Highlight the effect of research on high impact and high payoff items, especially policy issues, particularly as such research relates to climate change, accountability and the trust fund crisis as noted in AASHTO’s Strategic Plan. TF members suggested that the Regions be asked to look for and include high value policy research in the HVR submittal process. Also a separate solicitation for policy related HVR was suggested. Subgoal 1.a.3., Increase awareness of the innovations that have occurred because of transportation research by better showcasing implemented research success stories. TF members mentioned the TRB poster session is a good example of showcasing.

2. High Value Research annual Roberto DeDios has sent out solicitation via RAC leadership process listserv. By March 29th the submittals from each Region should be in. Each Regions top four should be selected by April 20th. There have been concerns raised about some of the Sweet 16 projects not being highlighted in the Research Makes a Difference brochure. They do get exposure during the RAC/TRB summer meeting and via the TRB poster session. Some options were: 1. Special designation of the Sweet 16 in the annual “Research Impacts: Better – Faster – Cheaper” document 2. Develop a web only Sweet 16 brochure, would be on the SCOR/RAC website and opportunity to publicize via the AASHTO email Journal 3. Develop a document that highlights the TRB poster session posters. 4. Establish an AASHTO award or certificate of recognition for Sweet 16 projects. Could be something signed by SCOR chair and RAC chair.

3. Update on 20-63 Mark Morvant gave the Task Force an update on the Research Performance Measures 20-63 project. The project will be on the agenda for the 2012 RAC/TRB summer meeting. Have added the High Value Research input functionality to the 20-63 web tool. As a reminder, beginning in 2013, the HVR submittals will be done via the 20-63 web tool. The HVR process will undergo some level of beta testing. The project panel and some Task Force members may be asked to assist with the beta test. The Task Force members did like the idea of including “Implementation Status” in the tool.

5. Wrap Up and Next Steps See action items below 5. Next Meeting 2012 RAC/TRB Summer Meeting in Burlington, VT

Action Items Action Item Owner Target Date Encourage Regions/states to take a close look at policy Dale/Roberto March 2012 related research projects and submit to the HVR process Include recognition of the Sweet 16 in the “Research Dale/Dawn June 2012 Impacts: Better – Faster – Cheaper” document Develop Sweet 16 web-only brochure Mark Fall 2012