Research Activities of the Department of Transportation: A Report to ...

Table B-4. Review of FRA RD&T ProgramInvestment CriterionProgram EvidenceRelevance • All program elements contribute to Departmental and FRA goals.• Developed with other DOT agencies and key stakeholders, a five-year strategicplan outlines a vision for the future and the technologies needed to realize it.• The TRB Committee for Review of the FRA Research, Development, and DemonstrationPrograms provides annual prospective and retrospective review.• Other inputs to the RD&T planning process include coordination with the FRA’s Officeof Safety, the American Public Transportation Association Research Needs Conference,the Highway–Railroad Grade Crossing Research Needs Conference, and the Associationof American Railroads Railway Technology Working Committee and Tank Car Committee.Quality • The FRA awards research contracts and grants on a competitive basis to the greatestextent possible.• The TRB conducts periodic peer reviews of FRA programs that address (1) themanagement structure and approach; (2) the direction and allocation of funds; and (3)the appropriate balance of Federal, state, and private sector inputs and costs.Performance • Inputs are tracked via an annual procurement plan; monthly obligations reports;and monthly progress reports that track actual vs. planned technical accomplishments,costs, and schedules.• All FRA RD&T contributes to the goals in the FRA’s and Department’s annualperformance plans; the FRA is developing annual and long-term measures and targetsto accurately assess the progress of its RD&T in meeting these goals.• The DOT Performance and Accountability Report provides a public accounting ofFRA performance against the goals in the previous year’s performance plan.RITA 47