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TEXAS RESEARCH PROGRAM OVERVIEWResearch & Technology Implementation DivisionTexas Department of TransportationChris Glancy, Research Portfolio Manager
March 5, 2020
Texas State Planning and Research (SPR) Program
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Aligns to TxDOT Goals and Objectives:-Optimize System Performance - Deliver the Right Projects -Focus on the Customer-Foster Stewardship -Preserve our Assets -Promote Safety
-Value our Employees
History
Commission Minute Orders from 1948 to 1997
Provides TxDOT the authority to contract with Texas colleges and universities for transportation-related research
Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) submitted to Governor identifies a strategy for Research
Source of Federal Funding
US Code, Title 23, “Highways” Funds apportioned to states -
2% used only for planning and research activities.
Not less than 25% of the SPR funds apportioned to a state for a fiscal year shall be used for research
Research:
Develops application for advanced technologies
Contributes to the high quality of Texas transportation facilities and services
Assists the state in meeting needs created by growth and changing technologies
Ensures that transportation research funds are available to Texas universities in order to assure high quality research results
Research SPR Funding Value to TxDOT and State
General Information
Annual Budget – 80/20 Matching Funds The Research program budget is approximately $24M/annually
Federal funds of Approximately $19M
State matching funds approximately $4.8M
Fiscal year begins September 1st
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Functions
Management, Coordination and Oversight State Planning and Research Program, Subpart B
State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC)
Every Day Counts (EDC)
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
Transportation Pool Fund (TPF)
National Cooperative Highway Research Topics (NCHRP) - Coordinates Texas participation
TxDOT Research Library
Technology Transfer Activities
Research Implementation
Product Evaluation Program
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Program Development Timeline
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Annual call for research
needs
Aug - Sept
Research Committees determine
project selectionsOct - Dec
Executive Committee determines
and approves projects for
funding Dec - Jan
Annual request for proposal is
sent to universities
and proposals are awarded Mar–June
Work Program sent to FHWA for approval
July
Problem Statement – Idea To Research
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Title of Idea
Which TxDOT goals would it benefit
Suggested Area(s) being impacted
Brief description of the problem
Brief description of the idea to test.
Brief description of deliverables i.e.
reports and products
Expect benefits and usage
Implications if not selected
Rough order of magnitude – high level
estimates - cost, duration,
identification of other similar research
Submitter(s) and TxDOT Champion
Project Selection Process
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Problem Solicitation Project Awarding
Request For
Proposals
Proposal Submission
Proposals Evaluated & Project Selected
Work Program
Development
Problem Grouping Committees Prioritize Projects
RTI RTI
Functional Area Committees
RTI
Texas state-funded Universities
Research Oversight Committee
TxDOT-Subject Matter Experts
FHWA Approval
RTI
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Research Committees – Prioritize Projects
Functional Area Committees (FAC) consists of district and division subject matter experts from across the state. The committee evaluates problem statements and recommends a prioritized list for funding consideration. There are five committees:
• Construction, Maintenance and Materials (CMM)
• Safety and Operations (S&O)
• Structures and Hydraulics (S&H)
• Planning and Environmental (P&E)
• Strategy and Innovation (S&I)
Research Oversight Committee(ROC) consists of district engineers and division directors. Further prioritize recommended projects from FAC for funding consideration.
Executive Committee consist of the Director of Strategy and Innovation, and Chief Engineer. Approves recommended project selections from the ROC based on funding available from RTI.
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Project Monitoring Committee
Team of 3-8 TxDOT technical subject matter experts
Evaluates proposals
Monitors project progress
Reviews technical reports and deliverables
Advises on course of corrective actions; if applicable
Makes recommendations for implementing results
Eliminates impediments
Disseminate and promotes research results
The champion serves as the technical lead
Research Project Manager
Research Project Manager is the point-of-contact
Coordinates and facilitates project meetings
Responsible for overall project management and contract management activities
Review and payment of invoices
Ensures milestones are met and deliverable received according to plan.
Assist with development of corrective actions
Disseminates and promotes research results
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Transportation Pooled Fund
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TxDOT Research Library
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TxDOT Research Library
RTI Air Quality Research March 5, 2020
PROGRAM SUMMARYFY 2021Tom Schwerdt, Research Project Manager
March 4, 2020
FY 2021 Program Summary Owner: Tom
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FY 2021 Program Summary Owner: Tom
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FY 2021 Program Summary Owner: Tom
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RTI Air Quality Research March 5, 2020
AIR QUALITY RESEARCHBrief Overview of Projects Shelley Pridgen, Research Project Manager
March 4, 2020
RTI Air Quality Research March 5, 2020
Current Air Quality Projects
0-7024 - Assessing Ozone Impacts on Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption in Texas
– Scheduled from FY20 through FY22
– TxDOT Champion – Jackie Ploch
– TTI Research Supervisor – Reza Farzaneh
– External Project Advisors – Lori Clark (NCTCOG) and Graciela Lubertino (Houston-Galveston Area Council), Jamie Zech (TCEQ), Jeff Riley (EPA)
0-9907-20 - Electric School Bus Literature Review and Industry Scan
– TxDOT Champion – Jackie Ploch
– TTI Research Supervisor - John Overman
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RTI Air Quality Research March 5, 2020
Past Air Quality Projects
0-6864 - Investigate the Air Quality Benefits of Nighttime Construction in Non-Attainment Counties (TTI)
– Created a Decision Support Framework
0-6928 – Maximize Savings and Minimize Air Pollution with On-Site Manufacturing of Embankment Soils (UTSA) – Cancelled early
0-6943 – Validation of Air Quality Models with Near-Road Monitoring Data (TTI;UTEP)
0-6945 – Ramp Metering Impact Study with Potential Regional Deployment within the Dallas-Fort Worth Ozone Nonattainment Area (TTI)
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RTI Air Quality Research March 5, 2020
Air Quality Research Problem Statements – FY 21
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Project ID Project Name Champion Sponsor Rating
21-085 BUY AMERICA ECONOMIC IMPACTS (EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS) Jackie Ploch NCTCOG 3.50
21-091 EVALUATING THE NOX AND ENERGY REDUCTION BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES OPERATING IN AN URBAN NON-ATTAINMENT AREA Jackie Ploch TTI 2.88
21-099 POLLUTION MONITORING AROUND WORK ZONES, BORDER CROSSINGS, AND OTHER LOCALIZED REGIONS Ar turo Perez CTR 1.25
21-107 UNDERSTANDING VEHICLE TYPE AND USE PATTERNS WITH DEMOGRAPHICS AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS
AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, AIR CONFORMITY, ENERGY DEPENDENCE, AND GREENHOUSE GAS
B i ll Knowles CTR 2.00
21-108 UNDERSTANDING WEEKEND, SPECIAL EVENT, AND NON-PEAK TRAVEL PATTERNS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS F OR SYSTEM RELIABILITY, AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY, AND GREENHOUSE GASES B i ll Knowles CTR 1.50
21-239 BENEFITS IN SHIFTING TEXAS BUS FLEETS TO ELECTRIC AND SELF DRIVING BUSES Not Listed CTR 2.75
21-240 LAND USE PATTERNS, TRAVEL, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, POPULATION TRENDS, AND TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IMPACTS ON TEXAS’ ENERGY USE AND CARBON EMISSIONS Jack Foster CTR 3.25
1 Air Quality Project made it through the FAC and none made it through ROC for FY21 Possible Reasons for lack of success
limited support at both the FAC and ROC Meetings; No TxDOT Champion to argue for project
RTI Air Quality Research March 5, 2020
Next Steps
Gain Expert Involvement, ENV Division/TPP Division participation and RTI Division support early on in the process.– Allow plenty of time to prepare the problem statement and make it ready to
withstand criticism.– Aim for sound science that will produce results that can be implemented or
contribute to additional valuable studies.
Send well-spoken Champions to FAC and ROC Meetings.– FAC Meeting – make sure you have topic level support for each project
“sponsored” by ENV/TPP. The ENV Division is diverse and all have different priorities. TPP also could speak to the value of these projects.
– ROC – ENV/Planning topics are up against all other Categories. Need to make a strong case for how these projects support Agency/State, (i.e. Big Picture).
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Thank YouQ&A
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