1. Using State Pooled Funds to Support TRB Conferences
Peggi Knight

2. Transportation Pooled Fund Program
An AASHTO program administered by FHWA
Allows interested agencies to partner on studies of mutual interest
Sponsored/led by either a State DOT or the FHWA 
Contributors/participants may include:
State DOTs, FHWA, municipalities, metropolitan planning  organizations, college/university, or a private company 
TPF study must be documented in the State’s work 
program 
May be eligible for up to 100% SPR funding

3. TPF Procedures Manual Found at: http://www.pooledfund.org/
Provides TPF program and project management 
guidance ranging from project solicitation to 
close out
The target audience: Federal and State TPF 
project managers and financial managers 

4. TPF Website Highlights
The TPF website includes: 
Program news and updates 
Place to solicit partners for new studies 
Place for committing funds 
Database for storing records of solicitations, 
commitments, and studies 
Place to report progress of ongoing studies

5. Creating a Pooled Fund Project
Develop Draft Project Solicitation
Share with local FHWA
Solicit input from others on Draft to ensure buy-in and success of the solicitation
Seek concurrence from FHWA on final language

6. Creating a Pooled Fund Project
Create Solicitation on the Transportation Pooled Fund website
Send notice to others of Solicitation posting
Request 100% Federal Funding waiver
Develop Work Plan (Scope) and Budget for the project
Request Official TPF number after meeting minimum project funding amount

7. Pooled Funds for TRB Conferences
The pooled fund contributions are to support the conference, not just to cover travel funding.
Pooled fund technical representatives should have input on conference objectives and outcomes.  Some pooled fund participants need to be on the conference planning committee.   The committee should have other members representing key expertise needed for the conference.  In most cases having all members on the planning committee is not practical.
Have mechanisms, such as webinars, for keeping technical representatives updated on conference development.

8. Pooled Funds for TRB Conferences
Provide travel funding for technical representatives to attend the conference.
Establish TPF priority outcomes for the conference.  Set meetings at the conference to track those outcomes. Have a post conference pooled fund debrief onsite to prioritize next steps to advance the field.
A good budget is a key collaboration tool.
Work via both the technical staff and the research staff to promote the pooled fund.  Have FHWA as an active partner.

9. Benefits
Allows State DOTs to travel in situations where travel is restricted
Allows flexibility for TRB within funding constraints
Provides consistency to assure involvement from states
Set direction for the conference planning
Meetings at conference allow State involvement in setting direction on National level
Meeting of pooled fund participants allows for shared experiences