1. Research Investments People, time, and money Leni Oman
Director, Office of Research & Library Services
AASHTO RAC/ TRB State Representatives Meeting
Burlington, VT
July 25, 2012

2. Funding is declining and our workforce is shrinking
_ab
Funding is declining and our workforce is shrinking
Less time and money for research activities
Legislative mandate to reduce 800 FTEs in engineering and technical services by 2015
At WSDOT, two transportation taxes are sun setting. Revenue is also down due to fuel efficiency and a weak economy affecting fuel sales.
All activity is under review for value to the core mission. While our core research funding remains relatively stable, the additional resources WSDOT has put into research are being constrained and the amount of time employees have to serve as technical monitors is also limited.
WSDOT has reshaped the Research Executive Committee and Research Advisory Committees. With that, the scope of their work is also changing
Research plays a key role in helping us do this.
Source: WSDOT 2

3. Squeezing the most value out of every penny
_cr
WSDOT innovations provide greater efficiency and benefits
Value engineering efforts provide the optimum solution at the least cost. Project cost estimates reduced by $375 million in the last two years.
Implemented national best practices, such as expedited bridge delivery, concrete pavement dowel bar retrofits and low-cost safety investments reducing run-off-the-road fatalities.
Making investments for the greatest benefits to stream habitats when transportation projects impact the natural environment.
New technology for optimum freeway operations efficiency
Automated Traffic Management, electronic tolling and ramp metering
Real-time traveler information and mobile apps
Performance-based management of preservation and maintenance
Using technology and research advances on high-performing, lower-cost pavement preservation and repair.
Maintenance tracking system and mobile data collection
Squeezing the most value out of every penny
Ensuring transportation investments are delivered with high quality and value
Innovation helps us improve efficiency and derive more benefits from the infrastructure and resources that we have.
We aren’t saying no to research. We are looking at what we invest in, how those activities are identified, and what we get for our investments. 3
Source: WSDOT

4. Research Executive Committee Changes
CURRENT
Define research goals that are the basis for project selection
Establish the selection committees
Approve the funded research program
Review key research findings
Evaluate and finalize recommendations for implementation of research findings
Expanded to include
Review of Client Sponsored Research funding
Review of transportation pooled fund project contributions
Identification of WSDOT objectives for national research programs
Problem statements submitted
Supporting what we submit
Pilot Tests and Demonstration Projects
Participation in national research committees and panels.
REC Chair : Assistant Secretary, Engineering & Regional Operations (Chief Engineer)
Members: Division Directors of:
Strategic Planning
Capital Program Development & Management
Development
Construction & Materials
Traffic
Public Transportation
Highways & Local Programs
Aviation
Ferries
WSDOT has reshaped the Research Executive Committee and Research Advisory Committees. With that, the scope of their work is also changing to look beyond programming of the SPR-funded projects.

5. 11-13 BN Current Budget & Contract Value $13,782,399
Old Research Executive Committee Role
SPR, 28%
CSR, 37%
TPF -
WSDOT
Contrib., 4%
Other
State Contrib.,
31%
46 Projects
32 Projects
17 Projects
A quick look at the research projects we’re talking about.
The Office of Research and Library Services manages contracts for research projects funded by other organizations within WSDOT as well as federal earmarks and some local government funds. While the SPR budget funds about $2M of new research and $1M of continuing research, the current contract value is close to $9M due to the Client Sponsored Research activity. The value of research projects will continue to grow throughout the biennium.
The Research Executive Committee currently reviews the SPR-funded research activities but that is only a portion of the research investment we make. We are looking at the role the REC should play in supporting strategic investment in research activities from all sources.
# of Projects completed, continued, or started
TOTAL
104
State Planning and Research projects 46
Client-Sponsored research projects 32
Transportation Pooled Fund projects 17
Synthesis projects 9
TRB: Transportation Research Board
TRAC: Washington State Transportation Center
NCHRP: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
SPR: State Planning and Research
TPF: Transportation Pooled Fund Program
CSR: Client Sponsored Research

6. More Budget Context Program Funding Trends
Transportation Pooled Fund Project Value
by Contribution Source
Total Value $26,430,000
Leveraging just under $10 for every WSDOT dollar spent.
The Transportation Pooled Fund program – while challenging to manage, is important to us.
Note contract value for research projects for SPR has remained steady, Client Sponsored Research funding is diminishing, and our the value of TPF projects we lead increased significantly in 2010 but, the current funding trend is declining.
SPR: State Planning and Research
TPF: Transportation Pooled Fund Program
CSR: Client Sponsored Research

7. WSDOT Research Investments
WSDOT Employees
WSDOT Research Investments
TRB Standing Committees
Sec. Hammond on TRB ExComm
46 Committee Members
2 Meetings/yr
Chair travel sponsored for one meeting/yr
WSDOT Funding and Employees
State Planning & Research (SPR) Projects
46 Projects (Regular & Quick Response)
$2,601,876 to date
30 Technical Monitors
Synthesis Studies
9 conducted to date for 9 different offices
TRB Cooperative Research Project Panels
64 Panel Members (104 Panels)
2 or 3 days of sponsored travel over 2 years/project
Washington State Transportation Center
$313,000/BN ORLS funding. $75K WSU, $238K UW
$ 461,000/BN Congestion Analysis & WSDOT Support
Transportation Pooled Fund projects
17 WSDOT-led projects
27 Projects led by others
~27 Technical Monitors
$3,252,345 to date
TRB SHRP2
9 Program & Panel Oversight Members
Beta tests
Pilot Projects
National Cooperative Highway Research Program Contribution
%100 unbudgeted Federal SPR
$ 1,431,000/BN
A look at WSDOT funding and employee time invested in research
Client Sponsored Research
32 Projects
$3,562,356 to date
~17 Technical Monitors
Other Activities
1 TRB Policy Study Member
1 Special Study Member (LTPP)
1 TRB State Rep/Advisory Panel Member
TRB Core Services
%100 unbudgeted Federal SPR
$ 275,000/BN
Data through May 31st, 2012

8. Participation in National Research Programs
Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRPII)
Expert Task Group appointments
Pilot Tests
Demonstration Projects
National Cooperative Highway Research Program
Provide Funding Contribution
Problem Statements
Synthesis Topics
Panel Nominations
AASHTO’s Quick Response Research Projects
CEO, SCOE, SCOP, SCOPT, SCOH, SCOTS, SCOHTS
Funded by NCHRP (State DOTs)
Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis
Suggest promising but unproven innovations for Transit, Highways, Safety
Transportation Pooled Fund Program
Project leadership
Project participation
Airport Cooperative Research Program
Problem Statements
Synthesis Topics
Panel Nominations
Commercial Truck and Bus Safety Synthesis Program (CTBSSP)
Topic submittal
International Scan Program
Topic submittal
Participation in Scan Team
Transit Cooperative Research Program
Problem Statements
Synthesis Topics
Panel Nominations
AASHTO Research Programs
Transportation Research Board Programs
Domestic Scan Program
Topic submittal
Participation in Scan Team
Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program
Panel nominations
National Freight Cooperative Research Program
Problem statements
Panel Nominations
Technology Implementation Group
Technology submittal
National program activity level –a look at where we are currently active so we can determine if that best supports priority business needs.
Policy Studies
Fund a topic
Committee nominations
National Cooperative Rail Research Program
Problem statements
Panel Nominations
Technical Services Programs
ETAP, NTPEP, APEL, AMRL, DAMS, TRAC, SICOP, AETO, SAFETY, Climate Change, MTAP, NPHQ, LRFD, TSP2
Legal Research
Topic submittal for Highways, Transit, and Airports
Marine Board
Topic submittal
Active
Semi-Active
Inactive

9. FHWA Research Programs
RESOURCES
FHWA Research Topics
Corporate Master Plan (CMP) for Research and Deployment of Technology & Innovation
R&D Topics 
Infrastructure
Operations
Safety
Innovation Life Cycle Introduction
Roadmaps
Research Deployment
FHWA Priority Technologies
Every Day Counts Initiative
Highways for LIFE program
24 Priority, Market Ready Technologies and Innovations Briefs
Exploratory Advanced Research
Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program
Highways for Life Program
Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program
International Visitor Program
Coordination of U.S. International Road Activities
International Highway Technology Scanning Program
Global Technology Exchange Program
Emerging Markets/Opportunities
AND – there are several other programs we participate in – but that our Research Executive Committee members don’t necessarily see.
Our purpose in highlighting this is to show and prepare for opportunity and to increase awareness of activity that is underway and how that fits into the research objectives of WSDOT.

10. FTA Research Programs National Research and Technology Program
RESOURCES
FTA Research Funding
Applying for FTA Research Funding   
FTA Research Projects 
Research Reports 
Public Transportation Research Digest
FTA Public Transportation Research Digest 
Priority Areas supported by Research
Environmental Sustainability 
Livable and Sustainable Communities 
Safety 
State of Good Repair   
Bus Rapid Transit 
Related Programs
Training and Workforce Development 
National Research and Technology Program 
Intelligent Transportation Systems for Transit 
National Fuel Cell Bus Program 
University Transportation Centers 
International Public Transportation Program 
Transit Cooperative Research Program 
Small Business Innovative Research 
Bus Testing Program 
Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) 

11. More USDOT Research Programs
MARAD
Research and Development
Ballast Water and Aquatic Invasive Species
National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP)
Marine Board
Transportation Research Board (TRB)
National Maritime Enhancement Institutes (NMEIs)
Research Opportunities
University Transportation Centers (UTCs)
FAA
Advanced Pavement Design
Airport Design Technology
Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting Technology
Airport Wildlife Hazard Abatement
National Airport Pavement Test Facility
Nondestructive Pavement Testing
Pavement Materials
Operation of New Large Aircraft
Visual Guidance & Runway Incursion Reduction
Runway Surface Technology
Field Instrumentation and Testing

12. More USDOT Research Programs
NHTSA
Biomechanics & Trauma
Behavioral Research
Crash Avoidance
Crash Injury Research (CIREN)
Crashworthiness
Databases and Software
Driver Simulation (NADS)
Enhanced Safety Vehicles (ESV)
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
Human Factors
Child Seat Research
Public Meetings
Vehicle Research & Testing (VRTC)
RITA
RITA Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
University Transportation Centers
12 Tier 1 Centers
10 Regional Centers
(including PacTrans)
FRA
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Research and Development
PHMSA
PHMSA Research & Development

13. Schedules to be determined Research Activity Event/Due Dates
Research Decision Calendar
Research Schedule & Possible REC Meeting Schedule
Decisions Anytime
WSDOT Quick Response Research
Schedules to be determined
National Cooperative Rail Research Program
Need to add
Panel selection for other CRPs
Transportation Pooled Fund Contributions
SCOHTS Research Program
EDC, EAR, UTCs,
SHRP2 Pilot Tests & Demonstration Projects
Client Sponsored Research
Research Activity Event/Due Dates
TRB Annual Meeting 13-17, 2013
NCHRP Synthesis Topics Due
TCRP Synthesis Topics Due
ACRP Problem Statements Due
CTBSSP Topics Due
NCHRP SCOTS Problem Statements Due
NCHRP SCOE Problem Statements Due July 15
TRB Annual Meeting Paper Submittals Due Aug 1
NCHRP problem statements due Sept 15
ACRP Synthesis topics due Oct 1
Domestic Scan proposals due Nov 15
WSDOT RFI distributed
NCHRP rating process begins
WSDOT Response to RFI Due
NCHRP CEO Problem Statements Due
WSDOT TPF Travel Plan due
TCRP problem statements due
NCHRP SCOPT problem statements due July 1
WSDOT problem statements due Sept 28
Fall SCOR meeting
NCFRP Panel nominations
TRB committee nominations (selection is variable)
NCHRP SCOH Problem Statements Due
Nominations for NCHRP Panels
TRB Annual Meeting Travel Plan
TCRP Transit Legal Research needs due July 1
NCHRP Legal Research needs due Sept 15
HMCRP Panel nominations
STEP Project Concepts Due (spring)
HfL Technology Partnerships proposals due
NCFRP problem statements due July 30
SCOTS Panel nominations
NCHRP 8-36 SCOP Problem Statements Due
Universities must have made offers to grad students
International Scan proposals due
Federal Discretionary Programs due - includes research activities
NCFRP Panel nominations Apr 1
WSDOT TPF contribution plan prepared
Decision
SCOR selects NCHRP problem statements
20-07 and projects selected at AASHTO Spring Meeting. NCRRP projects selected
AASHTO CEO NCHRP ballot
20-07 and projects selected at AASHTO Spring Meeting
WSDOT RAC selects research projects
WSDOT REC plan review & approval
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
REC Meetings
Spring Meeting
Summer Meeting
Winter Meeting
ACRP Problem Statements
TCRP Problem Statements
NCHRP Problem Statements
WSDOT Research SPR Funding Decision & Technical Monitors
SCOH Problem Statements
NFCRP Problem Statements
NCHRP Legal Research
AASHTO CEO Problem Statements
SCOE Problem Statements
ORLS TPF Contribution Plan Review
STEP Research Needs
SCOPT Problem Statements
NCHRP Synthesis Needs
TRB Committee nominations
SCOTS Problem Statements
International Scan interests
TCRP Synthesis Needs
CTBSSP Topics
Transit Legal Research
Domestic Scan interests
TRB Annual Meeting FYI
NCHRP Panel Nominations
ACRP Synthesis Topics
Quick Response Research
TRB Annual Meeting Travel
AASHTO Award Nomination for Research & Innovation
It’s easy for those not involved with research to think it’s one program moving on the same schedule. As you know, it’s not. We’re trying to map when program decisions are needed so we can set reasonable meeting dates.
Unfortunately, it’s a moving target as not all program action dates are set.

14. Washington’s transportation system future Current issues
Our need for a functioning transportation system continues to grow, while our revenue stream declines
Current issues
Treating the transportation system like the utility it is
Gas taxes built the transportation system of the past.
We need to look at new and different revenue sources to keep up with today’s changing technology.
Fuel-efficient vehicles
Electronic vehicles and charging stations
User-based fees are here today and are likely in our future
Tolling
Mileage-based fees
Other sources
Trying to put it together with agency needs.
There are specific areas in which we need to develop new practices. By providing information on research programs that are available, we can identify the resources that best fit the research need and bring a coordinated agency approach to supporting that strategy.
Four slides will show you some issues that we’re working on. Like many agencies, we have agency goals and priority initiatives, but we don’t have a ranked list of agency priority activities upon which to base a strategic research plan. 14

15. Adding capacity strategically Operating roadways efficiently
Moving Washington is our three-pronged approach to fight congestion and combat climate change
Adding capacity strategically
Operating roadways efficiently
Managing demand
Adding new capacity to our currently over-stressed transportation system removes choke points and bottlenecks, completing critical corridors; improve reliability, throughput for freight, commuters and transit partners.
Maximizing the use of the existing system and using available technology to communicate with and direct traffic, improves the system’s performance and generates revenue through variable pricing and other traffic management tools.
Providing more travel choices and options for people and freight helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our
transportation system.
Another important area of emphasis in our program today is Moving Washington.
Moving Washington focuses on first things first. It’s critical to preserve and maintain the infrastructure we have in the best condition possible.
And we must continue to improve the safety of the system for the movement of goods and protection of the traveling public.
Research plays a key role in in helping us do more with less and has been particularly active in the areas of operating roadways efficiently and managing demand. 15 15

16. Strategic research goals
Safety
Preservation
Environment
Design safety Driver behavior Vulnerability to risks Accident analysis Pedestrian/bicycle safety Construction safety
Highway pavement preservation Bridge preservation and replacement Highway and bridge maintenance Ferry maintenance and preservation Airport runway preservation Legacy computer systems
Highway practices Fish passage through culverts Wildlife connectivity Protecting species Cultural resources Climate change Noise reduction
Mobility
Stewardship
Economic Vitality
Traffic management Traveler information Variable tolling Demand management Highways and ferries operations Non-motorized transportation
Project management and delivery Advocate for system needs IT and decision support Accountability and communications Workforce Enterprise risk management Planning and prioritization Equitable access and ADA Sustainability
Freight mobility Public private partnerships Contracting Intercity, rural and special needs
Within our focus on Moving Washington, we keep the state’s six strategic goals for transportation in mind.
State law directs public investments in transportation to support economic vitality, preservation, safety, mobility, the environment and system stewardship. 
WSDOT’s Research Office and Advisory Committees have identified areas in which research is needed to advance our strategic objectives.
This list is not prescriptive or prioritized but helps identify key areas of interest within our agency. 16

17. WSDOT continues to transform our organization and business practices
_ab
Changing our business model
Recognize that our business needs in the future will be different than the needs of the past
Evaluating our business needs
Determine the skills needed to do the work
Assess individual employees’ skills
Identify the gaps
Develop individual training plans to bridge those gaps
What do we need to know?
What is our base preservation and maintenance model?
What are our core competencies?
How do we transition to a mobile workforce?
How will we manage consultants?
What additional quality assurance measures need to be put in place?
WSDOT continues to transform our organization and business practices
There are many unknowns. This is a work in progress
Along with changes in the transportation system, there are changes in the way we deliver projects.
We are changing our business model to fit the changing demands.
There is a greater focus is shifting on preservation and operations.
The competencies needed in our workforce are shifting. 17

18. Collaboration is critical
What we can’t afford to do separately, we can work to achieve together
Research collaboration comes in many forms
Business needs
Potential solutions
New technology or techniques
Data, information, and technical expertise
Field locations and test sites
Funding
Advocacy
We will also take advantage of our ability to leverage our knowledge needs through partnerships. This means that we may engage in activities that aren’t our highest priority – instead, these are activities that are of concern to us and, through partnerships, we’re able to answer the question sooner (and sometimes at a lower cost than we would pay by ourselves).
As you’ll see from our investment in the Transportation Pooled Fund program, collaboration is a key part of our research program. But we can still do more.
What we can’t afford to do separately, we can work to achieve together.
Partnerships come in all forms and we benefit from collaborating on ideas, potential solutions to regional transportation challenges, data to analyze, technical expertise, and field locations to study as well as cold hard cash.
For those in the room in leadership positions: don’t underestimate the role you play in research. Your interest in and advocacy for research can unlock doors and lead to productive relationships.
WSDOT will be an active partner providing expertise and resources to address critical knowledge gaps that address our priority business needs. It is important to for us to remain conscious of the strategies where collaboration is a key component because they may require a different management strategy – in which timelines and priorities are shared amongst participants and less directed by us. In times of budget scrutiny, the metrics and deliverables may seem less clear and timely but the long-term payoff of the partnership is likely to payoff in unexpected ways. 18

19. Reshaping the Strategic Investment of Research Resources
This is a work in progress
Timely support for business needs
ensure that actions address the most pressing needs
coordinated for the best outcome for our investments
support implementation of results 
Contribute to the advancement of practice
Support employee development
Career development
Succession planning
Don’t disrupt daily agency management
Development of future workforce 19