Empowering public transportation organizations in developing countries through the transfer of appropriate technologies.

Technology Transfer (T2) is the systematic application of research results. T2 remains to this day an untapped resource in both developed and developing countries. For the latter particularly, the institutionalisation of technology transfer is still in the stage of infancy. In spite of formidable hurdles, it is destined to yield bountiful harvest. The rewards that T2 institutionalisation promises are unlimited. Generally, it will allow developing countries to do "more with less". It is a tool that public transport organisations can utilise to devise solutions to urban mobility problems, while leveraging scarce resources. It provides a window to the latest innovations and best practices. It grants an opportunity to these organisations to sift, adapt, modify, and transfer only technologies that are appropriate to the local needs. This paper examines technology transfer practices in the transportation field. It discusses the benefits and challenges and outlines a framework of operating a successful T2 organisation in a developing country. The paper provides practical tools to practitioners that can be used to establish goals, formulate T2 programs, and prioritise T2 prospects according to organisational goals. T2 implementation remains an art rather than a science. The objective of this paper is to guide the user to the implementation of T2 programs. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116619.