Transportation Information and Knowledge Networks - The Leadership Challenge - Nina Mclawhorn, Research Administrator Wisconsin Department of Transportation Government Transportation Research Information Committee Special Libraries Association June 6, 2004

Overview Thirty years and counting Hopeful signs in the new millennium The Wisconsin experience NCHRP Scoping Study and Strategic Plan The leadership challenge

1970s beginnings TRISNET created through efforts of a Highway Research Board committee Envisioned a transportation research information system that is an evolving network of services and users …coordinated at the national level Ahead of its time, no high-level support in U.S. DOT, inadequate funding

Renewed efforts in the 2000s Consciousness-raising White Papers – Jerry Baldwin National Transportation Library – Nelda Bravo Midwest Conference on Library and Information Resources for Transportation – Madison, Wisconsin Midwest Transportation Knowledge Network Scoping Study for a National Strategic Plan for Transportation Information Management (complete) – Barbara Harder and Sandra Tucker Strategic Plan for Transportation Information Management – NCHRP Policy Study (starting)

The Wisconsin experience April 2002 WisDOT Peer Exchange on Information Services - RD&T and library partnership August 2002 Midwest Conference on Library and Information Resources for Transportation September 2002-June 2004 WisDOT Information Services pilot

Lessons learned What information is needed Completed research, best practices State, regional, national, international Specific to practitioner needs How the information is needed Digested and summarized Rapid response to needs Customer orientedinformation pushed to them Full-text digital filesmore awareness and training needed in accessing Internet resources

Paradigm shift New messages Information is a strategic tool for the knowledge-based economy, an investment that pays off Information is fundamental to the mission of the institution New services Information syntheses (meta-information) Niche products tailored to customers

Paradigm shift New organizations Central coordination Diffused, decentralized, regional networks Emergent information roles in the digital age Information brokers are at the crossroads of technology and information

Market boldly Seize opportunities to increase awareness of the value of information Emphasize benefits: save time, dollars, lives Speak the customers language – the engineer, planner and program manager Tell the story…again and again

Build partnerships Collaboration – not competition – is essential Alliances are key to securing resources Look for win-win outcomes

Scoping Study A terrific job not only stating the problem and the challenge but also laying out a plan of action Needs to be synthesized and marketed! A key recommendation: shift of control for future actions…from the library and information professionals to transportation leadership

Strategic Plan NCHRP panel will include high level U.S. DOT folks as well as transportation librarians and research managers A policy study that can make recommendations to Congress Work to begin in September

Leadership challenge Market boldly National mid-year meetings AASHTO fall meeting U.S. DOT restructuring opportunities Build partnerships Collaborative NCHRP studies Regional pooled funds for libraries Policy briefs and awareness campaigns Shift to advisory role