Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in the Public Works ...

But SHRP's success further underscores the absolute necessity for us to
organize these new research efforts effectively, and work hard to insure
coordination of the various pieces. I am happy to be able to report that TRB has
established the new high level-what we've called the Tier One Group-Research and
Technology Coordinating Committee (RTCC). The committee is now appointed and has
had its first meeting. AASHTO and the States have been rather insistent that the
new build-up in the Highway Research Program should be accompanied by the
establishment of a high level Oversight Group, which can review the entire
federal effort in Highway Research including SHRP, IVHS, Turner Fairbanks, HPR,
NCHRP, and the University Research Program , to insure that the program remains
on target: is responsive to real needs; is clear of duplication of effort, is
coordinated with related research efforts technology, and doesn't develop gaps.
Dr. Norman Abramson, former Executive vice President of the Southwest Research
Institute, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a person with an
outstanding record ir organizing and managing large research efforts has agreed
to be the chairman of this panel. Dr. Ray Chamberlain, Executive Director of the
Colorado Department of Transportation, has agreed to be the Vice Chairman. The
Committee has members from the private sector, Academia, and State and Local
Government.
I wish I could tell you exactly how this group is going to function. Our
nearest model is the Strategic Transportation research Study (STRS) Committee,
which did the STRS report that in turn recommended SHRP. This group also looked
at our overall highway research programs and compared them to how we were
spending our research funds. In some respects the new research and technology
coordinating committee will be in effect, a continuing STRS. Tom Larson and
Charlie Miller of FHWA are providing adequate funding for this committee to do
more than just react to their proposals; it is expected that the panel will be
proactive and will make recommendations of its own. But all of us recognize that
we've experimental mode. All are committed to making it work however, and I'm
optimistic that it will. It must if we are to keep this large decentralized
research effort on track as we move ahead towards the year 2000.
I'm happy to report that progress is also being made in organizing for
Post-SHRP Activities. SHRP is scheduled to terminate in June 1993, but that the
long term pavement project-LTPP-is scheduled to transfer from SHRP to FHWA in
June 1993. But because of the big role that States are playing in LTPP, it is
important that we organize so that the States can have a major voice in how LTPP
is run over the next 15 years. Unusual efforts are being made to insure that
this transfer of activities from SHRP to FHWA is seamless--that is, that there
is no disruption to this vital experiment. This requires that provisions be made
for many of the staff to transfer to other agencies, and that responsibilities
be moved in an organized and planned way. Agreement has been reached between all
parties on how this is to be done. In addition, a smart panel (smarts stands for
SHRP Monitoring and Research Transfer Committee) will be established within the
TRB beginning next Spring with its own staff and a schedule of activities and
responsibilities, which will grow until June 1993, when it will assume full
responsibility as SHRP Terminates. Initially the panel will begin work by
assisting SHRP in planning for implementation activities, and providing review
and critique of the LTPP program with recommendations to the FHWA and AASHTO.
By June 1993, it will take over any residual SHRP activities that remain undone.
The smart panel will look much like the state people augmented with some industry
and academic experts. Again, Tom Larson and Charlie Miller have been implacable
in their insistence that this activity move ahead in a timely fashion. TRB is