Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management
Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters approved the creation of a new office at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC). The new office, effective October 1, 2007, is called the Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management (HRTM), which absorbs and expands upon the functions of three previous offices at TFHRC (Office of Corporate Research and Technology (R&T), Office of Program Development and Evaluation, and the Office of Research and Technology Services). HRTM serves both TFHRC and FHWA corporate R&T activities and programs.
Office Mission
Office Structure and Staffing
Office Functions
TFHRC Organizational Chart Showing HRTM
Individual Areas of Responsibility
Mission
The mission of the Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management is as follows. To lead change and provide a comprehensive approach to managing advanced and applied research programs, communicating corporate messages from agenda setting through impact assessment. To develop and execute policy, budget, program management, and administrative mechanisms to add value and quality continually to a nationwide FHWA R&T program. To develop and execute comprehensive R&T communications and marketing strategies, plans, and evaluation methods which support FHWA-wide R&T programs and R&T services to FHWA offices.
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Office Structure and Staffing
HRTM consists of three teams: R&T Program Development and Partnership Team, Communications and Outreach Team, and the Exploratory Advanced Research Team. A senior executive series (SES) office director will lead HRTM and three team directors will support the duties of the office.
The office director provides leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating national and international R&T policies, programs, and budgets for research and deployment of technology and innovation that cross major organization elements within the FHWA. The primary focus is on implementing the Corporate Master Plan for Research and Deployment of Technology & Innovation (CMP), and the associated agency commitments. The office director also provides corporate leadership to FHWA to ensure that the strategic plan, policies, programs, and budgets meet the future needs of the transportation community and highway system. The office director provides significant coordination and negotiation within FHWA and DOT, and among the Transportation Research Board (TRB), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to address differences in program priorities and needs. The office director position also serves as a liaison to international research and development laboratories.
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Office Functions
The responsibilities of HRTM include strategic planning and quality, outreach and consultation, R&T liaison, legislative development and interpretation, program monitoring and evaluation, research agenda scanning and setting, and R&T budget development. The functions of the Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management are listed below in more detail.
Corporate Program Delivery
HRTM provides FHWA leadership for policy development and the administration of nationwide R&T programs in the following areas: the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2), the Technology Deployment and Partnerships Program, and the research activities portion of the State Planning and Research (SP&R) programs. With the FHWA program offices and the FHWA Resource Center, the office develops and implements feedback systems regarding the effectiveness of research products from these programs. With partners (AASHTO Standing Committee on Research, Research Advisory Committee, NCHRP, SP&R, universities, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) Planning Council, TRB, etc.), the office leads the overall development of national R&T programs at the Agency-wide level and coordinates appropriate areas with the FHWA program offices. The office encourages and facilitates partnerships with State departments of transportation (DOTs) and other organizations to carry out R&T transfer activities through mechanisms such as the Transportation Pooled Fund Program, also administered and managed by HRTM. The office coordinates the FHWA-wide Small Business Innovative Research program, working with the Volpe Center in Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The office provides the following coordination services.
- Liaisons and Partnerships: This function facilitates the planning and development of a collaborative, inclusive outreach process intended to identify future research needs, and targets research opportunities within the larger national R&T agenda. In this role, HRTM coordinates with and supports RITA on the implementation of the University Transportation Center (UTC) program, and establishes R&T UTC partnerships. The HRTM team coordinates with entities such as the U.S. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the USDOT RD&T Planning Team and Council, and others. The office serves as FHWA's principal point of contact for research matters within the USDOT and with national and international transportation research organizations and coordinates with the FHWA Office of International Programs and with other FHWA cooperative research programs. HRTM provides coordination and liaison activities for FHWA for the SHRP 2 and coordinates with the TRB Research and Technology Coordinating Committee to develop and deliver the FHWA R&T program. The office also serves as the point of contact for R&T in matters involving the Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, and other review or investigative organizations. In addition, HRTM provides Agency leadership for policy development and the administration of the research activities portion of the SP&R programs, including drafting regulations and policy guidance, and providing advice to FHWA division offices and State research managers.
- Legislative and Intergovernmental Actions: HRTM provides legislative analysis and support for R&T, including drafting and reviewing R&T legislation, and providing technical assistance for legislative testimony to the FHWA Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs and the U.S. Congress. The office also assists FHWA leadership and coordinates with the FHWA Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs, RITA, and/or the Office of the Secretary of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy in responding to Congressional and Departmental inquiries on R&T activities and requests for technical assistance. The HRTM team works with the R&T Leadership Team to implement newly authorized research initiatives and coordinates FHWA leadership interactions with the U.S. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; the USDOT RD&T Planning Council; and others on R&T plans and initiatives.
R&T Leadership Team Support
HRTM provides leadership and support to the R&T Leadership Team, which includes the Associate Administrators for Planning, Environment, and Realty; Federal Lands Highway; Infrastructure; Operations; Policy and Governmental Affairs; Professional and Corporate Development; Safety; and Research, Development, and Technology. The office also formulates strategic issue agendas, schedules meetings, provides follow up, and develops progress reports for R&T Leadership Team decisions.
- Communications: HRTM develops and conducts an R&T communications strategy and plan that supports Agency-wide R&T programs and the technology and innovation delivery needs of the FHWA program offices. The office establishes and maintains the FHWA Product Distribution Center and FHWA Research Library, and the R&T information management system to support the FHWA R&T program. The team provides communication and marketing assistance, outreach, and coordination services for all R&T-related activities; including FHWA-wide media (publications such as Public Roads magazine, FOCUS, etc.), Web site development, CD-ROM production, support for presentations, exhibits, speech writing, and marketing support. In addition, the team coordinates publication of RD&T materials and publishes an Agency-wide R&T report.
- Exploratory Advanced Research: HRTM manages and administers the Exploratory Advanced Research Program. The team establishes liaisons with other research entities and implements processes for ongoing "scanning and convening" of potential technologies and processes for consideration in the FHWA research program. The team also coordinates with FHWA research offices and other entities on the execution and accomplishments of the program, and establishes opportunities for professional development and mutual exchange of expertise through rotational assignments.
- Strategic Planning and Performance Management: HRTM formulates FHWA's R&T strategic plan and collaborates with the RITA on the USDOT RD&T strategic plan. The office designs and implements the tools and methods to improve the quality of FHWA R&T. The office also develops and implements action/business plans that advance USDOT and FHWA strategic goals, objectives, and corporate management strategies. HRTM develops and coordinates R&T input to FHWA's strategic and performance plans. In addition, the office team develops the program evaluation and performance measurement framework for the overall R&T program. HRTM develops and maintains systems for collecting and analyzing data and trends, including customer service surveys, to evaluate R&T policy and program effectiveness, and develops the RD&T performance plan, and gathers data to develop and publish a performance measurement report for RD&T. The office provides leadership to advance the U.S. President's Management Agenda for R&T, including budget and performance integration, and improves Agency processes leading to demonstrable program results.
- Budget Preparation and Execution: HRTM leads the coordination and preparation of FHWA's annual R&T budget request for the overall R&T program, and prepares the budget request for RD&T with FHWA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The office drafts sections of the annual budget and performance report, illustrating how research is supporting each of the goals, and a separate section describing how FHWA is implementing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) R&D Investment Criteria. HRTM tracks and defends the budget through the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and OMB, responding to pass-backs and appeals at each stage. The HRTM team prepares briefing materials and contributes to testimony regarding the budget. In addition, HRTM prepares and coordinates the R&T budget delivery plan upon receipt of notification of the final appropriation action by U. S. Congress. The office coordinates with the FHWA CFO to accomplish the formal allocation of R&T funds. The office also identifies and tracks Congressional earmarks and provides required data that are utilized on the OMB Web site. The office contributes to the annual report to U. S. Congress describing USDOT's actual and proposed funding for R&T; collaborates within the interagency National Science and Technology Council and its various subcommittees on the identification of FHWA research and development priorities; and provides advice to the U.S. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy about R&D priorities.
- Technology and Innovation Deployment: HRTM serves as FHWA’s primary contact for identifying best practices, formulating strategies, and engaging transportation stakeholders in technology and innovation delivery. The office Identifies, coordinates, and manages strategies and goals related to intellectual property. In addition, the office provides assistance and service to the FHWA program offices, the Office of Corporate and Professional Development and the Resource Center, in support of crosscutting technology transfer services and expertise.
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Organizational Chart Showing the HRTM Office
The organization and staffing of the new office are reflected on the TFHRC organization chart, which depicts the TFHRC structure and organizational components. For individual responsibilities and contacts, see the Individual Areas of Responsibility.
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Individual Areas of Responsibility
The Individual Areas of Responsibility provide information about staff members’ primary responsibilities, major projects and contact names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses.
For additional information about each team in general, contact:
Acting Office Director
Debra Elston
202-493-3181
debra.elston@fhwa.dot.gov
Communications and Outreach Team Acting Director
Joseph Conway
202-493-3186
joe.conway@fhwa.dot.gov
Exploratory Advanced Research Team Acting Director
Terry Halkyard
202-493-3467
terry.halkyard@fhwa.dot.gov
R&T Program Development and Partnership Team Director
Debra Elston
202-493-3181
debra.elston@fhwa.dot.gov
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Over the next few months, additional changes related to the Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management will be made to this Web page and other pages throughout this Web site. Thank you for your patience as we work to update information pertaining to the new office.
