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

Table B-6. Review of NHTSA RD&T ProgramInvestment CriterionProgram EvidenceRelevance • Research program is mission-oriented and supports NHTSA and DOT goals.• Specific goals and priorities for the next five years are laid out in the NHTSA VehicleSafety Rulemaking and Research Priority Plan.• NHTSA’s research programs support regulatory actions and other initiatives that preventthousands of fatalities and serious injuries each year.• NHTSA research addresses clearly identified safety problems and seeks new solutionsthat make maximum use of advanced technologies.• Research programs often involve cooperative efforts with foreign governmentalagencies, the automotive industry, and other vehicle-safety-related organizations.Quality • NHTSA research findings are frequently presented to other NHTSA offices, thusensuring critical internal review.• NHTSA research findings are frequently presented to the public in a variety of formats,ensuring critical outside review.• NHTSA research results are presented in international forums and are often the basis ofactions taken by international bodies.• Investment decisions are based on competition and merit review whenever possible.Performance • Key research milestones are identified and tracked in performance targets.• The NHTSA research program provides input for cost-benefit studies of alternativesolutions to safety problems.RITA 49