Managing a Research Program from Various Funding Sources

1. Managing a Research Program from Various Funding Sources Sandra Larson, P.E. Research and Technology (R & T) Bureau Director Iowa Department of Transportation AASHTO RAC / TRB Meeting July 2012 Sandra.larson@dot.iowa.gov

3. Strengths of a Varied $ Program • Adequate Funding • Flexibility • Meets the Needs and Vision of the Agency, including quick hitting • Reduced Bureaucracy, quick approvals when needed • Fosters Inclusion and Implementation • Transparent and involved in agency functioning • Facilitates Competing for Additional Funding from Outside Sources

4. Challenges of a Varied Program • Requires Extensive Staff Oversight – Difficult for a Small Staff • Challenges for Coordination of Efforts Across Programs and Divisions

5. Iowa DOT Research Program • ~ 150 Active Projects at Any Given Time. • Stand Alone Bureau in the Highway Division. • Research is Embedded Throughout the DOT Operations and Divisions. • Project Technical Advisors are DOT Champions and Experts in Their Fields, fosters implementation. • Some Limited Research Conducted by DOT staff, most by University researchers. • Some Projects are “Managed” in Other Offices.

6. Iowa DOT Research Program • Rich history of transportation research dating from the early 1900’s • Anson Marston, ISU Dean of Engineering started IA DOT on campus and instrumental in creating TRB (HRB) • Continued strong support for transportation research implementation and close partnership with university

7. Iowa DOT Research Program • Annual Research and ITS Program ~ $12 M • Six Major Research Focus Areas • Winter Maintenance - Safety • Structures - Pavements • Intelligent Construction - Human Factors • Additional funding from other sources • HfL, states (pooled funds), SHRP2, FHWA

8. Major Research Funding Sources • State Planning and Research (SPR) (Federal) ~ $3.5M • IHRB (State) ~ $2.2M • Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) (State) ~ $0.5 M • ITS (State) ~ $5M • State ~ $750k

9. Major Research Funding Processes • SPR and ITS – Streamlined Submittals from DOT Employees/Focus Groups to Office Directors and Bureaus; Review and Approval by R & T Bureau Director and Division Director • IHRB (State) - Detailed Board Process, R & T Bureau Director Approval – since 1950 • TSIP - DOT and Committee Input, Commission Approval ; Traffic and Safety Office Administered • State Research – Flexible, Responsive; R & T Bureau approval

10. Iowa DOT Research Program • Basic Agreements with UNI, U of I and ISU • Reduced Overhead 26% for Research; 8% for Core Functions (ISU) • Short Work Order Contracts via Addenda/Amendments • Common Language • No Overhead on Subcontracts Between U of I & ISU, Has Increased Collaboration • Strong Partnerships with universities/DOT • Streamlined , Facilitates Project Development, Reduces Paperwork, Increases Accountability

11. InTrans at ISU/Iowa DOT Research Core Program ~ $1.2M • Admin Support • Shared Faculty Positions • Traffic Safety, HMA, PCC, Structures • Library • Geotech Center (CEER) • SUDAS • National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

12. IHRB History • Iowa Legislature Set Aside County Funding in 1949 • First Meeting - May 18, 1950 • Initially County and DOT Funds • City Funding Added in 1989 • All State Funded • Advisory Board to DOT • Results in implementable research for state, cities and counties

13. IHRB Organization • 15 Members / Alternates • 7 County Engineers (Six Districts + TRB Rep.) • 2 City Engineers • 2 University Civil Engineering Department Chairs (U of I, ISU) • 4 Iowa DOT Engineers • 3 year terms

14. Pooled Funds • Iowa Participates in 35 Pooled Fund Projects (uses multiple funding sources) • Iowa Leads 17 Pooled Fund Projects • Technical Staff Participate on Advisory Panels – Champions for Implementation • Benefits • Cost Sharing Among States • Address Regional / National Issues • Can Address Larger Issues than Individual States

15. Iowa-Led Pooled Funds (17 total) • Aurora Program (Road and Weather Information Systems) • SICOP (Snow and Ice Pooled Fund) • Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative • Integral Abutments on Moderately Curved Girder Bridges • Novice (School Age) Drivers - Million Mile Study • Structural Health Monitoring • Impacts of Implements of Husbandry on Bridges • Tech Transfer Intelligent Compaction Consortium • 2014 Asset Management Conference and Training on Implementation Strategies (NEW)

16. Iowa-Led Pooled Funds - PCC • Concrete Mix and Design Analysis • Joint Deterioration in Concrete Pavements • Deicer Scaling of Slag Cement Products • Development of Performance Properties of Ternary PCC Mixes • PCC Surface Characteristics • Technology Transfer Concrete Consortium • Improving the Foundation Layers for Concrete Pavements • Next Generation Concrete Pavement Road Map (NEW)

17. SUDAS • Statewide Urban Design and Specifications • Uniformity of urban design and specifications across the state • Reduction of contractor confusion and mistakes due to differing specifications; encourages more bidders • Mechanism to be proactive in research and studies for new and improved urban design and specifications • Forum that allows state/ local governments to collaborate with industry • Reduced costs through uniformity, understanding, and acceptance

18. Summary • Multiple funding sources • Unique state DOT research program, multi-faceted • Flexibility • Key research areas • Agile program to meet agency needs • Embedded in the Iowa DOT culture • Numerous partnerships with universities, agencies, states • “Easy to work with and get things done!”