Main Body

Our mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that links Ohio to a global economy while preserving the State's unique character and enhancing its quality of life.

DIVISION OF PLANNING

Our mission is to propose strategies that address needs and goals in order to plan, build, and maintain a safer and more efficient multi-modal transportation system in Ohio. We accomplish this by collecting, analyzing, forecasting, measuring and reporting information about Ohio's transportation systems, resulting in a planning process incorporating the information and analysis with the ideas and transportation needs of ODOT's customers.

OFFICE OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Our mission is to develop and manage a robust annual research program that is:

responsive to the Department's strategic initiatives;

rooted in economics;

takes advantage of emerging technologies;

provides information and technology for management policy decisions;

provides mechanisms to share research results with customers; and

produces practical results that have a strong possibility of being implemented.

ORGANIZATION OF THE MANUAL

Glossary Includes definitions, abbreviations, and commonly used acronyms.

Chapter 1 General - Includes general information about the ODOT research program. Identifies those who most benefit from the program and the types of agencies that conduct research as well as various funding sources for the program.

Chapter 2 Organization and Responsibilities - Identifies and outlines the responsibilities of the various Offices and staff within ODOT as well as those outside of ODOT who participate in the program.

Chapter 3 Program Development - Describes processes for identifying research needs and developing a strategic research plan to address those needs. Discusses development and evaluation of research problem statements, proposals, and Part II of the State Planning & Research (SP&R) Work Program. Includes an anticipated time line for developing the program up to project initiation.

Chapter 4 Project Management - Describes ODOT’s oversight and management of research projects. Outlines requirements for reporting by researchers and ODOT staff. Discusses procedures for requesting time and funding extensions and changes in the scope of work on a project. Discusses invoicing, legal requirements, and control of equipment inventory.

Chapter 5 Implementation - Describes the process used to implement favorable results of research.

Chapter 6 Technology Transfer - Outlines activities that lead up to the adoption of new or improved techniques or products by users. Identifies ways, means, and resources available to assist in disseminating information, demonstrating use, training, and other means of implementing a new technology.

GLOSSARY

AASHTO - American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. It represents all five transportation modes: air, highways, public transportation, rail and water. Its primary goal is to foster the development, operation and maintenance of an integrated national transportation system.

Agreement - A contract between the signatories defining the rights and obligations of the signatories. The purpose of the agreement is to secure the performance of professional services. The term agreement shall include all modifications and addendums.

Applied Research - The study of phenomena relating to a specific known need in connection with the functional characteristics of a system. The primary purpose of this kind of research is to answer a question or solve a problem.

Basic Research - The study of phenomena whose specific application has not been identified. The primary purpose of this kind of research is to increase knowledge.

Biennium - A specified two-year period of time that coincides with the funding of the state budget. The biennium begins on July 1 in odd numbered years and ends two years later on June 30.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - Contains the regulations issued by executive branch agencies to implement federal legislative requirements. Proposed and recently adopted regulations may be found in the Federal Register.

Change in Scope - An addition, reduction, substitution, or revision in the complexity, character, or duration of the services defined in the agreement and its addenda.

Contractor - An individual, university, company, or other qualified specialized entity identified to perform professional or specialized services as a signatory to an agreement.

Controlling Board - The Controlling Board provides legislative oversight over certain capital and operating expenditures by State agencies and has approval authority over various other State fiscal activities including waivers of competitive selection when an agency's purchases or leases from a specific vendor (researcher) exceed the amounts specified by law. The Board consists of seven members:

S The Director of Budget and Management, or designee (the President of the Board)

S The Chair of the Finance and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives

S The Chair of the Finance Committee of the Senate

S Two members of the House*

S Two members of the Senate*

* One from the majority party and one from the minority party, as appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Cooperative Research Seminar - A seminar held biennially to present and exchange ideas on the Department’s strategic research plan.

Cooperatively Funded Study - A research study or activity that is administered by either FHWA, a State DOT, or another agency and is funded through a combination of various funding sources. These funds may come from either a State’s contribution of FHWA planning and research funds, FHWA administrative contract funds, state funds, or funds from other federal agencies. (See also Pooled Fund Study.)

Cost Accounting System - The systematic and timely classification, recoding, allocation, presentation, and interpretation of costs, either actual or proposed, paid or required to be paid in the performance of services. The cost accounting system involves a higher level of accountability than generally recognized in simple cash basis financial accounting systems.

Demonstration Projects - Refers to the FHWA "Demonstration Projects Program", which is designed to promote the adoption and use of practical research findings such as a proven material, process, method, equipment item, or other feature.

Development - The translation of basic or applied research results into prototype materials, devices, techniques, or procedures for the practical solution of a specific problem in transportation.

Equipment - An article of non-expendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of at least two (2) years and an acquisition cost of $500 or more per unit, or a combined value of $500 for components which are assembled into a large unit.

Executive Leadership - In the ODOT organizational structure, this includes the Director, the Chief of Staff, the Assistant Directors, District Deputy Directors, and all Central Office Division Deputy Directors.

Expert Task Group - A group, consisting of ODOT staff, FHWA, academia, and industry representatives with technical expertise in a specified focus area, that provides technical assistance on a research project. This assistance is primarily in the form of proposal evaluations and reviews of reports. The need for, and makeup of, the group will be determined by a Deputy Director(s), with input from the sponsoring Office(s) and the Administrator of Research & Development.

Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) - The accounting period for the federal budget from October 1, to September 30 and designated by the Calendar year in which it ends. For example, FFY 2005 runs from October 1, 2004 until September 30, 2005.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - The FHWA is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with field offices across the United States. The FHWA performs its mission through two main programs: (1) The Federal-Aid Highway Program, which provides federal financial assistance to the States to construct and improve the National Highway System, urban and rural roads, and bridges; and (2) the Federal Lands Highway Program, which provides access to and within national forests, national parks, Indian reservations and other public lands by preparing plans, letting contracts, supervising construction facilities, and conducting bridge inspections and surveys. To support these program areas, FHWA conducts and manages a comprehensive research, development, and technology program.

Flagship Project - A unique or unusual project which has the potential to impact ODOT's method of operation, or substantially increase the knowledge of a particular subject matter, and/or have an impact on the national research program.

Innovative Bridge Research and Construction (IBRC) - A federally funded discretionary program that provides funding for the evaluation of innovative materials and construction techniques for bridges

Intermodal RD&T - Research, development, and technology transfer activities involving more than one mode of transportation including transfer facilities between modes.

Implementation - the incorporation of research findings into a new or revised ODOT policy, procedure, specification, standard drawing, or work method. Also, see Technology Transfer.

Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) - A national network of technology transfer centers that provides training, technical information, workshops, problem solving assistance, newsletters, video libraries, etc. to local agencies in an effort to improve safety and efficiency.

Long Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP) - A federally funded and managed partnership between various state DOTs and several Canadian provinces for a comprehensive twenty-year study and evaluation of pavements. The goal of this program is to assist the states and provinces to make decisions that will lead to better performing and more cost effective pavements. LTPP is one component of the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP).

Modification - A legal adjustment to an agreement made necessary as a result of: (1) a change of scope which may require an adjustment of prime compensation; or (2) additionally required services to be performed that may require the adjustment of prime compensation.

NCHRP - National Cooperative Highway Research Program. Administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and sponsored by the member departments (i.e., individual State departments of transportation) of AASHTO, in cooperation with the FHWA, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program was created in 1962 as a means to conduct research in acute problem areas that affect highway planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance nationwide. The Department responds to NCHRP solicitations by submitting research problem statements, prioritizing problem statements, and providing staff to serve on project panels.

Obligation - The federal government’s legal commitment (promise) to pay or reimburse the states or other entities for the federal share of a project’s eligible costs.

OBM Circular A-21 - The cost accounting principles developed by the US Office of Budget & Management and adopted by the State of Ohio.

Office Administrator - A mid-level manager within ODOT, typically reporting to a Deputy Director, and having responsibility for a program area (e.g., materials, pavements, structures, traffic, etc.).

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) - A state agency that works to ensure a balance between the wise use and protection of our natural resources.

Ohio Revised Code (ORC) - The codification of the laws of the State of Ohio.

OPREP - ODOT’s Partnered Research Exploration Program.

Peer Exchange - A review conducted periodically with the assistance of other State research managers, as an aid to help maintain conformance with Federal requirements regarding the management of the SP&R research program. The purpose of the peer exchange is to review processes currently in place and to exchange information on how these processes could be improved.

Pooled Fund Study - A study initiated by a state or federal agency with joint funding from other state and federal agencies or other partners to study a transportation problem of common interest.

Principal Investigator (PI) - The researcher who is most responsible for the technical direction of the work. Because the PI is expected to have the primary responsibility, he/she is expected to be available and actively involved in the research efforts for the full contract period.

Prime Compensation - The monetary remuneration specified for payment by the State to the consultant for all acceptable elements of the agreement.

Project - The subject of the agreement between ODOT and the contractor.

Project Panel - A group of individuals possessing diverse technical backgrounds who have been assigned to act as technical liaisons on a research project to provide technical guidance through out the duration of the project. The responsibilities of the project panel are the same as those of a technical liaison.

Project Schedule - A tabular delineation of the contractors’ agreement schedule of submittals.

Proposal - The document submitted by the contractor which defines the scope of work, budget, project schedule, deliverables, and qualifications of the research team. It is incorporated by reference into the agreement.

Research - A systematic controlled inquiry involving analytical and experimental activities which primarily seek to increase the understanding of underlying phenomena. Research can be basic or applied.

RD&T² - Research, Development, and Technology Transfer

Research In Progress (RIP) - TRB online database of active transportation research projects.

Research Selection Committee - A standing committee whose members are appointed by the Assistant Directors. The primary role of this committee is to select and prioritize research projects for the work program and to select researchers to perform the work.

Senior Leadership - In the ODOT organizational structure, this includes the Director, the Chief of Staff, and the Assistant Directors. The Chief Legal Counsel serves in an advisory capacity.

Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) - A multi-year program established by Congress in 1987 with the intent to improve the performance of highway pavements and bridges in the United States and various Canadian provinces.

State Fiscal Year (SFY) - The accounting period for the state budget from July 1, to June 30 and designated by the Calendar year in which it ends. For example, SFY 2005 runs from July 1, 2004 until June 30, 2005.

State Planning & Research Program (SP&R) - A federally established program that provides funding for statewide and urban planning activities (Part 1) and research activities (Part 2).

Strategic Research Matrix - A tabular depiction of the ongoing research activities and proposed research studies from a given program office for a specified period of time.

Strategic Research Plan - The intended areas of focus for research as defined by senior leadership for a specified period of time.

Subcontractor - Any person or organization to whom the contractor has subcontracted, transferred, or assigned any portion of his contractual obligations.

Technical Advisory Committee - A technical panel convened to develop and/or guide and review the research for a specific project. TACs are frequently used for projects that affect or require input from multiple offices or agencies.

Technical Liaison - An individual assigned by the supporting program office to provide technical expertise and assistance to the contractor throughout the duration of a research project. The technical liaisons is responsible for monitoring the project’s progress of work and providing a technical review of all documents resulting from the project.

Technology Transfer or T² - Those activities that lead to the adoption of a new technique or product by users. It involves dissemination of information, demonstration of use, training, and other means that lead to eventual innovation and implementation.

Transportation Research Board (TRB) - The TRB is a unit of the National Research Council, a private, nonprofit institution that is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. The Board's mission is to promote innovation and progress in transportation by stimulating and conducting research, facilitating the dissemination of information, and encouraging the implementation of research results. TRB fulfills this mission through the work of its standing technical committees and task forces addressing all modes and aspects of transportation; publication and dissemination of reports and peer-reviewed technical papers on research findings; administration of two contract research programs; conduct of special studies on transportation policy issues at the request of the U.S. Congress and government agencies; operation of an on-line computerized file of transportation research information (TRIS); and the hosting of an annual meeting that typically attracts 8,000 transportation professionals from throughout the United States and abroad.

Transportation Research Information Service (TRIS) - A database containing nearly 500,000 records of published transportation research. TRIS Online is a collaborative effort between the Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academies, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U. S. Department of Transportation, to provide a public-domain, web-based version of the bibliographic database as a component of the National Transportation Library, and to enhance transportation research, safety, and operations by sharing knowledge and information.

United States Code (USC) - A consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. The code does not include regulations issued by executive branch agencies, decisions of the federal courts, treaties, or laws enacted by state or local governments. (See also Code of Federal Regulations.)

United States Geological Survey (USGS) - A federal agency that collects, monitors, analyses, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. When contracting with the Department for research projects, a federal contract is issued by USGS.

Work Program - A list of active and proposed research projects that are planned for an annual or biennial period, including budgetary information for all research activities planned for the specified period.

ODOT R&D FY 04 Calendar at a Glance
July 2003 NHCRP – Board of Directors Ballot due NHCRP – Problem statements solicited for FY05 NCHRP – State funding agreement TRB – Correlation Services Subscription Agreement R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers R&D – Update RIP database R&D – Begin developing contracts for FY04 projects	January 2004 TRB – Annual Meeting in Wash., D.C. Jan. 11-15, 2004. NCHRP – Synthesis of Highway Practice topics due R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers ODOT – Begin to develop RFPs R&D – Solicit for OPREP PSs R&D – Midyear progress report
August 2003 TRB – Annual Meeting papers due by August 1, 2003. FHWA – Annual Report of SP&R funded accomplishments R&D – Proposals for next biennium due to R&D R&D – Year End Program Report due	February 2004 NCHRP – Ballots completed/returned R&D – Compile TRB summary reports and distribute internally
September 2003 NCHRP – Problem statements due Sept. 12, 2003 RAC – Regional meeting (odd years) R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter	March 2004 TRB – Annual state visit announced NCHRP – SCOR prioritizes/select projects TCRP – Problem statement solicitation NCHRP – Funds obligation due TRB – Core program contributions due for Transportation Pooled Funded-option states R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter OTEC – Call for Abstracts (R&D identifies projects to showcase) ODOT – OPREP PSs due to R&D
October 2003 TRB – Annual meeting promotion begins R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers R&D – Send letter to DD's and OA's soliciting research needs for next biennium R&D – Conduct Research Equipment Inventory	April 2004 TCRP – Problem statements due NCHRP – Solicit panel nominations R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers R&D – Post RFPs for next biennium on website R&D – Researchers begin to develop proposals OTEC – Deadline for abstracts
November 2003 NCHRP – Problem statement evaluation completed by NCHRP and FHWA staff NCHRP – Synthesis of Highway Practice call for topics NCHRP – Annual funding agreement with FHWA for FY04 ODOT – DD's send all Division PS's to R&D OTEC – Showcase research program at OTEC on November 5 & 6, 2003	May 2004 TRB – Mailing list verification forms sent to R&D TRB – Field visits conducted (typically) NCHRP – State DOT Endorsement NCHRP – Solicitation of panel members due TIG – Request for topics NCHRP – Board of Directors Ballot Distributed Advisory Board f Annual Meeting R&D – Announce OPREP Awards R&D – Distribute surveys to evaluate effectiveness of Research Program
December 2003 NCHRP – Submitters informed of status NCHRP – Ballot distributed to SCOR and RAC TCRP – Project panelists solicitation R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter	June 2004 TRB – Call for papers for 2005 Annual Meeting R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter New Fiscal Year begins July 1, 2004

NCHRP – vNational Cooperative Highway Research Program

TCRP – Transit Cooperative Research Program

RAC – AASHTO's Research Advisory Committee

TIG – AASHTO's Technology Implementation Group

SCOR – AASHTO's Standing Committee on Research

SP&R(2) – Research portion of the State Planning and Research funds

ODOT R&D FY05 Calendar at a Glance
July 2004 NHCRP – Board of Directors Ballot due NHCRP – Problem statements solicited for FY06 NCHRP – State funding agreement TRB – Correlation Services Subscription Agreement RAC – National Meeting (even years) R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers R&D – Update RIP database R&D – Begin developing contracts for FY05 projects	January 2005 TRB – Annual Meeting in Wash., D.C. Jan. 9-13, 2005. NCHRP – Synthesis of Highway Practice topics due R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers R&D – Solicit for OPREP PSs
August 2004 TRB – Annual Meeting papers due by August 1, 2003. FHWA – Annual Report of SP&R funded accomplishments R&D – Proposals for next biennium due to R&D R&D – Peer Exchange (Repeat in 2 years)	February 2005 NCHRP – Ballots completed/returned R&D – Compile TRB summary reports and distribute internally
September 2004 NCHRP – Problem statements due Sept. 10, 2004 R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter R&D – Meet with Senior Management to define strategic needs for next biennium (Repeat in 2 years) R&D – Submit biennial research program evaluation to Senior Management	March 2005 TRB – Annual state visit announced NCHRP – SCOR prioritizes/select projects TCRP – Problem statement solicitation NCHRP – Funds obligation due TRB – Core program contributions due for Transportation Pooled Funded-option states R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter OTEC – Call for Abstracts (R&D identifies projects to showcase) ODOT – OPREP PSs due to R&D
October 2004 TRB – Annual meeting promotion begins R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers R&D – Conduct Research Equipment Inventory OTEC – Showcase research program at OTEC on October 13 & 14, 2004	April 2005 TCRP – Problem statements due NCHRP – Solicit panel nominations R&D – Quarterly Progress Reports due from researchers OTEC – Deadline for abstracts
November 2004 NCHRP – Problem statement evaluation completed by NCHRP and FHWA staff NCHRP – Synthesis of Highway Practice call for topics NCHRP – Annual funding agreement with FHWA for FY05	May 2005 TRB – Mailing list verification forms sent to R&D TRB – Field visits conducted NCHRP – State DOT Endorsement NCHRP – Solicitation of panel members due TIG – Request for topics NCHRP – Board of Directors Ballot Distributed R&D – Submit SP&R(2) Biennial Work Plan to Sr. Leadership for approval on May 13, 2005 R&D – Announce OPREP Awards
December 2004 NCHRP – Submitters informed of status NCHRP – Ballot distributed to SCOR and RAC TCRP – Project panelists solicitation R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter R&D – Announce proposal selection results. R&D – Begin developing biennial work program R&D – Update Research Manual	June 2005 TRB – Call for papers for 2006 Annual Meeting R&D – Submit SP&R(2) Biennial Work Plan to FHWA for approval on June 17, 2005 R&D – Publish quarterly newsletter New Biennium begins July 1, 2005

NCHRP – National Cooperative Highway Research Program

TCRP – Transit Cooperative Research Program

RAC f AASHTO's Research Advisory Committee

TIG – AASHTO's Technology Implementation Group

SCOR – AASHTO's Standing Committee on Research

SP&R(2) – Research portion of the State Planning and Research funds