Beginning the Dialogue - Report on SGR - Federal Transit ...

Research Needs
r OVERVIEW
What kinds of research would help <strong>the</strong> transit industry
pursue a state of good repair for <strong>the</strong> nation’s bus and rail
transit rolling stock and infrastructure? This paper formed
<strong>the</strong> basis of a discussion on research needs at <strong>the</strong>
workshop. The key questions we hope <strong>the</strong> industry will
help to answer during that discussion are:
n What are some of <strong>the</strong> resources for funding federal
research?
n What have we learned from previous research on
maintaining <strong>the</strong> transit capital assets?
n What are some specific safety research topics that
may help a transit agency achieve SGR?
n What are some of <strong>the</strong> technology advances that
might help better maintain <strong>the</strong> nation’s transit capital
assets?
n What are some of <strong>the</strong> SGR research gaps that
should be addressed by transit research?
About half of all passenger miles traveled and 37% of
passenger trips are taken on rail systems, yet a small
percentage of FTA’s Research and Technology funding is
allocated to rail. So, while this SGR industry workshop
will focus on rail and bus systems, a large gap exists with
regard to rail transit infrastructure research.
r BACKGROUND
FTA uses industry input to prioritize and shape our
research programs. Most suggestions come from
dialogue with <strong>the</strong> industry. The Transit Research Analysis
Committee (TRAC) meets twice each year and advises
FTA on research strategy. While Congressional
earmarks make up <strong>the</strong> majority of research expenditures,
FTA works closely with grantees to ensure <strong>the</strong>se
earmarks address goals and objectives found in <strong>the</strong>
agency’s Strategic Research Plan.
Research Needs
FTA State of Good Repair Workshop
48
Besides <strong>the</strong> National Research and Technology Program,
FTA’s two o<strong>the</strong>r transit research programs are <strong>the</strong>
University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program
(funded by FHWA) and <strong>the</strong> Transit Cooperative Research
Program (TCRP). There are opportunities to utilize <strong>the</strong>
talents at UTCs, and those in <strong>the</strong> transit industry, as
TCRP panelists to shape our research program. Their
assistance in identifying and prioritizing research
objectives, questions and projects will help FTA provide
research leadership to improve <strong>the</strong> industry.
r LITERATURE REVIEW
Some literature related to <strong>the</strong> state of good repair exists
already. Listed below are some online resources for
researching topics related to <strong>the</strong> state of good repair.