Managing a Research Program from Various Funding Sources Sandra Larson, P.E. Research and Technology (R & T) Bureau Director Iowa Department of Transportation AASHTO RAC / TRB Meeting July 2012

Strengths of a Varied $ Program Adequate Funding Flexibility Meets the Needs and Vision of the Agency, including quick hitting Reduced Bureaucracy, quick approvals when needed Fosters Inclusion and Implementation Transparent and involved in agency functioning Facilitates Competing for Additional Funding from Outside Sources

Challenges of a Varied Program Requires Extensive Staff Oversight – Difficult for a Small Staff Challenges for Coordination of Efforts Across Programs and Divisions

Iowa DOT Research Program ~ 150 Active Projects at Any Given Time. Stand Alone Bureau in the Highway Division. Research is Embedded Throughout the DOT Operations and Divisions. Project Technical Advisors are DOT Champions and Experts in Their Fields, fosters implementation. Some Limited Research Conducted by DOT staff, most by University researchers. Some Projects are “Managed” in Other Offices.

Iowa DOT Research Program Rich history of transportation research dating from the early 1900’s Anson Marston, ISU Dean of Engineering started IA DOT on campus and instrumental in creating TRB (HRB) Continued strong support for transportation research implementation and close partnership with university

Iowa DOT Research Program Annual Research and ITS Program ~ $12 M Six Major Research Focus Areas – Winter Maintenance- Safety – Structures- Pavements – Intelligent Construction- Human Factors Additional funding from other sources – HfL, states (pooled funds), SHRP2, FHWA

Major Research Funding Sources State Planning and Research (SPR) (Federal) ~ $3.5M IHRB (State) ~ $2.2M Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) (State) ~ $0.5 M ITS (State) ~ $5M State ~ $750k

Major Research Funding Processes SPR and ITS – Streamlined Submittals from DOT Employees/Focus Groups to Office Directors and Bureaus; Review and Approval by R & T Bureau Director and Division Director IHRB (State) - Detailed Board Process, R & T Bureau Director Approval – since 1950 TSIP - DOT and Committee Input, Commission Approval ; Traffic and Safety Office Administered State Research – Flexible, Responsive; R & T Bureau approval

Iowa DOT Research Program Basic Agreements with UNI, U of I and ISU – Reduced Overhead 26% for Research; 8% for Core Functions (ISU) – Short Work Order Contracts via Addenda/Amendments – Common Language – No Overhead on Subcontracts Between U of I & ISU, Has Increased Collaboration – Strong Partnerships with universities/DOT – Streamlined, Facilitates Project Development, Reduces Paperwork, Increases Accountability

InTrans at ISU/Iowa DOT Research Core Program ~ $1.2M Admin Support Shared Faculty Positions – Traffic Safety, HMA, PCC, Structures Library Geotech Center (CEER) SUDAS National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

IHRB History Iowa Legislature Set Aside County Funding in 1949 First Meeting - May 18, 1950 Initially County and DOT Funds – City Funding Added in 1989 All State Funded Advisory Board to DOT Results in implementable research for state, cities and counties

IHRB Organization 15 Members / Alternates – 7 County Engineers (Six Districts + TRB Rep.) – 2 City Engineers – 2 University Civil Engineering Department Chairs (U of I, ISU) – 4 Iowa DOT Engineers 3 year terms

Pooled Funds Iowa Participates in 35 Pooled Fund Projects (uses multiple funding sources) Iowa Leads 17 Pooled Fund Projects Technical Staff Participate on Advisory Panels – Champions for Implementation Benefits – Cost Sharing Among States – Address Regional / National Issues – Can Address Larger Issues than Individual States

Iowa-Led Pooled Funds (17 total) Aurora Program (Road and Weather Information Systems) SICOP (Snow and Ice Pooled Fund) Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative Integral Abutments on Moderately Curved Girder Bridges Novice (School Age) Drivers - Million Mile Study Structural Health Monitoring Impacts of Implements of Husbandry on Bridges Tech Transfer Intelligent Compaction Consortium 2014 Asset Management Conference and Training on Implementation Strategies (NEW)

Iowa-Led Pooled Funds - PCC Concrete Mix and Design Analysis Joint Deterioration in Concrete Pavements Deicer Scaling of Slag Cement Products Development of Performance Properties of Ternary PCC Mixes PCC Surface Characteristics Technology Transfer Concrete Consortium Improving the Foundation Layers for Concrete Pavements Next Generation Concrete Pavement Road Map (NEW)

SUDAS Statewide Urban Design and Specifications – Uniformity of urban design and specifications across the state – Reduction of contractor confusion and mistakes due to differing specifications; encourages more bidders – Mechanism to be proactive in research and studies for new and improved urban design and specifications – Forum that allows state/ local governments to collaborate with industry – Reduced costs through uniformity, understanding, and acceptance

Summary Multiple funding sources Unique state DOT research program, multi-faceted Flexibility Key research areas Agile program to meet agency needs Embedded in the Iowa DOT culture Numerous partnerships with universities, agencies, states “Easy to work with and get things done!”