Back to Basics Initiative: Fostering and Nurturing Research Agendas for TRB Standing Committees TRB State Representatives Meeting Salt Lake City, Utah July 2011

Back to Basics Initiative TRB Technical Activities Council Standing Committee on Conduct of Research Standing Committee on Technology Transfer July 27, 2011

Back to Basics Initiative: Goal Provide committees with knowledge and tools to Identify research needs Increase probability that needed research will be conducted Enhance sharing of information on ongoing and completed research July 27, 2011

Back to Basics Initiative: The Status Quo Currently, each committee is for the most part left to its own devices Success varies greatly among committees And even within a committee from year-to-year Example: Uneven involvement or contact with CRP July 27, 2011

Back to Basics Initiative: Vision “Typical” standing committee will be: Using an enhanced version of the TRB Research Needs Statements Database Managing a robust and up-to-date portfolio of needs statements Assuring that research organizations are aware of the identified research needs July 27, 2011

Back to Basics Initiative: Vision (cont.) “Typical” standing committee will be: Educating members on submitting research needs statements to research organizations Continuously monitoring status of research of interest Keeping stakeholders informed on ongoing and completed research July 27, 2011

Back to Basics Initiative: Implementation Strategies Enhance the Research Needs Database and other tools to help committees achieve the above vision Provide ongoing guidance and training through a community of Committee Research Coordinators July 27, 2011

Committee Research Coordinators (CRC) Similar to successful Committee Communication Coordinators Invite each committee to appoint a CRC CRC will manage committee’s research portfolio & coordinate with CRCs from other committees July 27, 2011