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Research, one of the principal missions of the first national highway program in the United States is, the oldest continuous federal highway activity. The Federal Highway Act of 1921 authorized the first sustained fiscal support for highway research. Support for highway research was reaffirmed in the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, which mandated funds for planning and research purposes only. Most recently, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 required that a minimum of 25 percent of the State Planning and Research (SPR) funds shall be expended on research, development and technology transfer activities.
COMMENTARY:
The FHWA's RD&T Program Manual gives a more expanded history of transportation research. Users are advised to refer to this manual if they wish to expand on the above text. In addition, it may be useful to include a history of research in the state in this section of the guide.
The research unit exists to benefit the Agency, its employees, and other transportation agency users. The purpose of this manual is to improve the effectiveness of research by identifying research unit functions and procedures.
This manual provides guidance on the following:
The authority for the State research organization to use federal funds is found in 23 United States Code 307(c). The authority for the State to administer the SPR funds in the program is found in 23 Code of Federal Register 420, Subpart B.
COMMENTARY:
Besides the federal citations, all appropriate state citations should be included. These may include state legislation and university agreements and references to department administrative manuals, etc.
The research management manual covers the complete process used by the research unit, from program development through program evaluation, including technology transfer and the management requirements needed to maintain an effective research program. A flow chart of the process (Figure 1) represents all of the activities performed by the research unit.
COMMENTARY:
An overview subsection to the manual gives the reader an expanded table of contents. The manual could benefit from expanding the description of the individual sections. It may make it easier to find those sections that are of interest. Sometimes the overlap of sections could have the reader hunting for the desired section.
The first section (Purpose and Context of Manual) defines the need for a manual. The manual gives an organized process and solid management principles that will help managers and staff improve their research program.
The second section (Goals and Policies) discusses the Agency's goals and how they reflect on those of research. Particular attention is given to the need for and development of strategic plans. Details are also given of the options for customer support processes, as they are used to increase the interactive nature of the research program.
The third section (RD&T Organization) discusses the structural organization of research both within the unit and within the Agency. Definition is given to the structure and research interactive role of the many committees that could form customer support.
The fourth section (Program Development) details the process for the development of the work program. It includes the solicitation process beginning with developing a problem statement request to the screening efforts conducted by the research staff and review by the Research Advisory Committee on the problem lists. A review and prioritization of the problem statements leads to the formation of the work program. A descriptive narrative is also given of the elements of the work program.
The fifth section (Project Development) describes the components of a project work plan including suggestions for involving the Agency's operating units. Details of the elements of staff and contract research are specified, including the solicitation, selection and negotiations processes.
The sixth section (Conducting and Monitoring Research Projects) contains a discussion of the daily routine of research staff. Particular detail is given to monitoring contracts.
The seventh section (Program Reporting) describes the elements to report on the project and program levels. The elements include technical and financial information and report frequency.
The eighth section (Technology Transfer) starts with an outline of one of the most important activities in the research process. This is followed by details on pursuing information sources, reviewing literature, forming instructional sessions and providing expert advice and support.
The ninth section (Implementation Process) defines an implementation process and offers suggestions on facilitating the process through improved monitoring and interactive techniques.
The tenth section (Project Final Evaluation) defines methods of evaluating projects from the Agency perspective and the nondepartmental view. Different methods of economic analyses are suggested to determine the benefits of the research and its implementation.
The eleventh section (Program Evaluation) offers evaluation techniques ranging from the work program achievement level through the implementation and economic benefit efforts to the on-site peer review. The peer exchange evaluation offers interaction and feedback that cannot be attained through the other methods.
The twelfth section (Program Management) outlines a comprehensive staff training program, suggestions for resources necessary to maintain national professional contacts, administrative issues, the work program process and liability concerns.
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