Transportation Technology Exchange Globally Presented by: Kay Nordstrom U.S. Dept. of Transportation at U.S./East Africa Workshop Arusha, Tanzania August 26 – 27, 2009

2 Technology Exchange “The process by which existing knowledge, facilities or capabilities are utilized to fulfill public and/or private needs.” Contributes to: Creating the condition for sustainable development Creating the environment that promotes the exchange of innovations in transportation that stimulate local economic growth and trade

3 Technology Transfer Program Activities Creates an institutional structure for program oversight Establishes a Management Committee Maintains a mailing list Publishes a quarterly newsletter Serves as a clearinghouse for transportation information Provides information on new and existing technologies Conducts training Performs a self ‑ evaluation.

4 Typical Program continued… Technology Transfer (T2) Center operations and activities may vary from center to center. T 2 Center focuses on acquiring, disseminating and facilitating information and training that meet the needs of their stakeholders. – A few of the training areas could include: institutional change program development road maintenance and construction private sector development contract management

5 Role of the Management Committee Made up of from 8 to 25 members (major stakeholders) Made up of active transportation professionals and road users Guides and advances the goals and programs of the center Acts as an Advisory board to provide the connection to the center’s constituency

6 Role of the Management Committee continued… Meets monthly to annually Reviews budgets, work-plans Selects/promotes training Empowers and encourages the T2 center Staff

7 MC Responsibilities Outside the Committee Seeks out and disseminates appropriate technology Constantly markets the T2 center and its program Outreach to professional organizations, as well as the public in general, through schools and neighborhood organizations and functions thereby enhancing the public’s knowledge of the center’s services Explores support through funding and participation in center’s program

8 Technology Exchange Centers in Africa South Africa SANRAL established 1995 CSIR cooperation began 2000 KwaZulu-Natal began 2000 Tanzania was established 1998 Zimbabwe established 2000 Malawi 2001 Namibia Zambia Botswana

9 Successful Activities Tanzania: – Hosted the first Africa T 2 Conference – Conducted many NHI training courses – Established TRAC programs in secondary schools – In partnership with FHWA, routinely conducts video conference seminars (GIS, Road Safety, PPP)

10 Successful Activities continued… South Africa: – Established and expanded TRAC programs in secondary schools – Kwa-Zulu Natal DOT T 2 Center hosted the second Africa T 2 Conference – CSIR T 2 Center hosts the ASANRA Regional T 2 Center Malawi: – Hosted the third Africa T 2 Conference – Conducts NHI training courses (pavement rehabilitation etc.)

11 Program Benefits Access to best practices Link to international technology arena Generates/fosters networking opportunities

12 Program Benefits continued… Avoids duplication Bridges the theoretical with the practical Conducts/facilitates appropriate training Builds local capacity

13 Program Benefits continued… Promotes institutional development Promotes Regional/National agendas/programs Coordinates various transportation activities Disseminates/implements appropriate technology Addresses relevant needs of the transportation community

14 Requirements for Success The transportation organization must be willing to assume leadership in technology transfer. The organization must have visionary and qualified leadership prepared to take new ideas and adapt them to intended purposes

15 Requirements for Success continued… The organization must have adequate resources to operate a T 2 center. This includes staff to conduct the technology programs, library, and clearinghouse functions.

16 Requirements for Success continued… The center must have a good working relationship with the national transportation ministry. The organization must demonstrate its ability to independently sustain the program over the long term. The center must demonstrate its viability and offer its programs with its own resources

17 Requirements for Success continued… Performance measures must be tied to all activities of the center. The center is expected to develop and implement measurement and evaluation methods to document the extent to which it improves the skills and knowledge of local transportation providers

18 Requirements for Success continued… A successful outreach to the local audience is essential. Without a well conducted outreach campaign, there will not be the right audience and customers for the center’s services.

19 Bottom Line Tapping into funding from the various public and private stakeholders is an evolving and necessary means by which to sustain a center: – Financial investments will be forthcoming if the center satisfies the needs of the transportation community. – Is crucial to the sustainability of the Center – Will enhance the center’s abilities to contribute to the harmonization of the transportation network as a whole

20 In Conclusion The KEY to Sustainability is to …… Develop and Maintain Collaborative Business Relationships Integrate stakeholder issues, concerns, and requirements into the strategic planning steps Institutionalize means to identify primary and secondary stakeholders, and seek involvement of non-traditional stakeholders Communicate clear, measurable, honest information in progress reports

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