ROADS PAVEMENT FORUM CSIR CONFERENCE CENTRE 16 May 2001 South African T 2 Centers – Update P.J.Hendricks CSIR-Transportek

Structure of Presentation Background –FHWA T 2 Centers –South African T 2 Centers T 2 Centres operation –NDOT (SANRAL) –KwaZulu-Natal –CSIR-Transportek Future plans Expectations from industry Conclusions

Background - FHWA “The successful development of the road system in the United States is a story of vision, long-term commitment, cooperative organization, and the continuous search for better technology, including international exchange of road technology.” Robert A. Ford First African Transport Forum,Cairo, Egypt Nov 25-27, 1997

FHWA-Background Research by the FHWA quantifies an important relationship between transportation and economic growth. –Over the period 1950 to 1989, U.S. industries realized production cost savings averaging 18 cents annually for each dollar invested in the road system. The United States drew on the experiences of other countries and combined these with its own plans, policies, and techniques.

Background - FHWA Early road construction from Europe. Mainly from France’s road and bridge lab. Germany’s autobahns inspired the design of the Interstate System after World War II. Today scans the world for advanced technologies, research, and best practices

FHWA-Background Technology transfer has been one of the FHWA’s preoccupations since the beginning of the century. Technology transfer (within USA) includes five major activities: –Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) & Technology Transfer (T2) Centers –Training, through the National Highway Institute –Research implementation and Special Projects –Demonstration projects –Experimental, Test and Evaluation Projects

FHWA-Background Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) –Channel through which innovative transportation technology is prepared and delivered to both urban and rural local communities –Activities support the operation of Technology Transfer Centers Technology Transfer (T2) Centers –57 Technology Transfer (T2) Centers –Provide training and technical assistance to local governments –Delivery system for LTAP –Serve engineers, supervisors, managers, and technical support staff of small cities, counties, and towns

FHWA-Background Technology Transfer (T2) Centers –Training is the focus of the program –Provided through workshops, mobile training vans, hands-on training, field demonstrations, and lending of instructional training materials including videotapes, instructor manuals, and student workbooks –Partnership effort with funding provided from Federal, State, local agency resources, universities and the private sector

FHWA - Background PIH centers 21 countries 1990s Finland, Russia 1995 SA 1999 Tanzania

T 2 Centers (SA) Center FHWA/NDOT 2000 – 2 Centers CSIR- Transportek/FHWA KwaZulu-Natal/FHWA

Operation (SANRAL) 1995 – signed co-operative agreement between two NDOTs Purpose –Transfer and exchange of transport technology between the two countries Administered by SANRAL in SA Significant achievements since inception

Operation (SANRAL) TRAC (Transportation and Civil Eng.) –Increase awareness of Transportation and Civil Eng. In schools –TRAC PAC 42 structured experiments –81 PACs in SA at schools, tertiary inst. Workshops –Contractor development –US workshops TRB and UC Berkeley

Operation (SANRAL) Dissemination of information –HMA guidelines –LIC manuals Community based safety education

Operations (KwaZulu-Natal) Established 2000 Purpose of the Center –To provide Effective Technology Transfer of Industry “Best Practice” to meet the current and development needs of the Department and the people of Kwazulu- Natal. Objectives –Cutting Edge and Industry “Best Practice” Technology –Mentorships – Learner Development, and Professional Registration –International Liaison, Marketing and Public Relations

Operations (KwaZulu-Natal) Research and Scoping activities –Departmental policy on alternate technologies to regraveling –Scoping of high performance low cost river crossing structures –Scoping of appropriate technology world wide for application in the Department “Best Practice” Technology Experiential training (ATE) programme –Placed students mainly out in the field maintenance and construction

Operations (CSIR – Transportek) Established 2000 Purpose –Establish center at Transportek, coordinate establishment of centers in other provinces –Establish clearing house for transportation information –For FHWA/Transportek to cooperatively undertake technology sharing and research projects

Operations (CSIR – Transportek) Progress –Clearing House Established library space Sourcing documentation Lending procedures (electronically) –KZN/Transportek Basics of road maintenance course –Tremendous success

Future Plans Co-ordination of resources, centers –Linkages with AA etc Delivery to industry –Monitoring (advisory board) –Implementation Single newsletter Clearing house activities (CSIR role) Major role in support of regions –In next year establishment of 1-2 further centers

Future Plans Information vehicle –Proven technology USA On-line active library access, co-ordinated training programmes Sustainable funding mechanisms

Expectations Opportunity for industry to access information, material –Training needs, demand for practical courses –Testing of technologies –Information needs –Workshops, demonstrations

Conclusions Knowledge age –Passive knowledge to ACTIVE knowledge transfer and application –Open sharing of information –Promotion of ideas and innovations Regional collaboration Delivering innovations to practitioners and end users

Conclusions T2 centers –Track record in deployment of new technologies –Technology and information transfer that arises from and responds to local needs and expertise Experience –Integration into existing transportation-related institution enhances credibility, saves resources –Improved transportation to support economic development

Conclusions T2 Centers –Delivering in provision of innovation, information dissemination –Work as well as the resources are utilised, supported –Tremendous benefit to SA Access to information, training material etc. Co-ordinating mechanisms for region –Part of global community “Not invented here” Limited resources in region