Enhancing and Evaluating Researcher Performance May 18-20, 2010

Program Structure: We use both Internal & External Researchers Mission: The mission of the Connecticut Department of Transportation is to provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. Goals: Safety and Security Preservation Efficiency and Effectiveness Quality of Life Accountability and Transparency

Management Mechanisms, 1 of 2 In-house research engineers External, CASE – Purchase Orders External, UConn – MOU External, NETC – MOU if UConn External, NETC – Agreements for all other State Land Grant Universities

Management Mechanisms, 2 of 2 External, TPF – Transfers to FHWA External, TRB Core - Transfers to FHWA External, NCHRP – AASHTO Agreement & Transfers to FHWA

Basic Research Cycle for every program Solicitation of needs Review & Literature Search Prioritize Program Initiate work if in-house Initiate agreement if external Progress reviews Reporting Implementation Solicitation of needs – periodic, can be tied to individual program’s cycle Review & Literature Search to determine if research has already been done Prioritize relative to Department’s priorities and needs Program with available funds Initiate work if in-house Initiate agreement if external Progress reviews Reporting Implementation

Research Staff (1) Manager (1) Secretary (1) Transportation Supervising Engr (6) Transportation Engineer 3 (1) Transportation Engineer 2 (1) Transportation Planner Special Studies Solicitation of needs – periodic, can be tied to individual program’s cycle Review & Literature Search to determine if research has already been done Prioritize relative to Department’s priorities and needs Program with available funds Initiate work if in-house Initiate agreement if external Progress reviews Reporting Implementation

Other Staff in Research Unit Photolog/HPMS Data (1) Photolog Supervisor (4) Transportation Engineer 2 Network Pavement Evaluation (2) Transportation Engineer 3 Product Evaluation Coordinator (1) Transportation Engineer 3 Solicitation of needs – periodic, can be tied to individual program’s cycle Review & Literature Search to determine if research has already been done Prioritize relative to Department’s priorities and needs Program with available funds Initiate work if in-house Initiate agreement if external Progress reviews Reporting Implementation

Participation in Various Research Programs 137 Active Projects

Basic Tools to Enhance Contractor Performance Proposal Standards Enforcing project planning good practice Progress monitoring & reviews Use of Technical Advisory Committees Report Standards Presentations Payment controls Budget controls

Challenge for Research Program 1 of 2 On-Going Need to Demonstrate Resource Level Justification and Communicate Program Value

Challenge for Research Program 2 of 2 Research challenges: Inexperienced research need writers Inexperienced proposal writers Inexperienced researchers Too may opportunities / staying focused Financial, not administrative: Loss of Funding in the recession Indifference to loss of research funding in legislature and by top administrators Anticipated that if compelling projects will get funding restored as Country comes out of recession. Young faculty need research funding to get tenure or they go away.

Connecticut DOT Division of Research Research URL: http://www.ct.gov/dot/research Photolog URL: http://www.ct.gov/dot/photolog James M. Sime, P.E. Manager of Research Connecticut DOT Telephone: (860) 258-0309 E-Mail: james.sime@ct.gov