State and Federal highway agencies spend millions of dollars each year on research studies with the expectation that the money spent will yield innovative products and practices that will benefit future transportation system users. Unfortunately, the potential of many research products goes unrealized due to poor implementation and technology transfer efforts. In addition, research is often duplicated due to lack of communication between agencies ( and perhaps within a single agency). Indeed, in 1994 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) urged states to develop procedures for managing the results of research programs. In response to the FHWA emphasis on research program management, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) formed a joint Quality Improvement Program (QIP) team, consisting of both central-office and field-office personnel of AHTD, a representative from FHWA, and a representative from academia with experience in performing "contract" research for AHTD. The mission of the joint QIP team included a review of existing implementation procedures; development of an effective and streamlined process for implementation; provision of an efficient research information network; and establishment of methods for tracking and evaluating implementation activities and progress. The team developed recommendations for streamlining research implementation to meet FHWA requirements. The recommendations covered three general topic areas : (1) implementation of in-house research; (2) implementation of third-party (FHWA, other State highway agency, contract) research; (3) dissemination of information concerning all research-related activities. In addition, recommendations were developed concerning a tracking system for implementation activities. As a final step, the QIP team assessed the impact of the proposed changes on AHTD in terms of time and manpower. (A)
Abstract