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Detailed Justification for Research, Development and Technology Coordination
FY 2008 Request: $536,000
Overview
RITA was created by Congress with the primary objective of
serving as the Department’s focal point for coordinating, facilitating and
reviewing crosscutting and cross-modal research, and for enabling new technology
deployment across all modes. To fulfill
this role, RITA provides strategic direction to and coordinates the
Department’s research programs through annual program reviews, budget and
performance planning and prioritization, and performance tracking and
reporting.
In response to the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO)
2006 recommendations, in FY 2008 RITA will improve Departmental RD&T
coordination by:
- Completing
a strategy for reviewing all DOT RD&T activities to identify
opportunities for joint efforts across Operating Administrations;
- Ensuring
that DOT research is evaluated according to established best practices;
- Preparing
and reporting on a schedule of research program evaluations; and
- Developing
common performance measures for DOT RD&T activities.
FY 2007 Base
The base funding in FY 2007 for the RD&T Coordination
program is $247,500. RITA will continue
to lead the RD&T Planning Council and Team to identify research priorities
and opportunities for collaboration on crosscutting RD&T.
FY 2007 Accomplishments
In direct support of the DOT Organizational Excellence
strategic objective, RITA managed RD&T coordination through the RD&T
Planning Council and Team (per DOT Order 1120.39A) to promote the efficient use
of DOT RD&T funds, prevent duplication and encourage joint RD&T
efforts. In FY 2007, the following
accomplishments are planned:
- Framework
for a Web-based database of DOT RD&T projects.
- Develop
common performance measures for RD&T activities.
- Engage
external stakeholders in identifying emerging research priorities.
- Provide
staff support to the RD&T Planning Council and RD&T Planning Team and
other crossmodal working groups.
- Strengthen
RD&T coordination and reviews, including:
- Providing
recommendations to the Secretary on strategic RD&T priorities.
- Preparing
the FY 2009 RD&T budget priorities for inclusion in the Department’s FY 2009 budget
guidance.
- Reviewing
FY 2009 RD&T budget requests to ensure alignment with DOT strategic
objectives and priorities.
- Conducting
annual RD&T program reviews.
- Preparing
the RD&T Funding Report to Congress (SAFETEA-LU, sec. 5208).
FY 2008 Budget
Request
The proposed FY 2008 activities will enhance Department-wide
coordination by focusing DOT’s efforts to increase evaluation and measurement
activity and engage internal and external stakeholders. These activities will enable RITA to
recognize unnecessary duplication and help identify the Department’s best
opportunities for concentrating research efforts to gain the best
investment. In addition to ongoing
planning and coordination activities, such as the Annual Report to Congress,
staff support to the Planning Council, updates to the strategic plan, budget
guidance, budget reviews, and program reviews, RITA will initiate or enhance
the following in FY 2008:
- Further
develop the Web-based data tracking system for research coordination started in
FY 2007.
- Conduct
one stakeholder workshop on crossmodal research priorities or emerging
technologies as part of a strategic update to the current RD&T Strategic
Plan.
- Develop
and implement tools and a performance management system that monitors DOT’s
R&D portfolio and collects data about its management and progress.
- Conduct
cost-benefit analysis and return-on-investment analysis on key segments of
DOT’s research agenda and targeted technologies.
- Perform
assessments to determine DOT’s most promising technologies.
Explanation of Funding
Changes for RD&T Coordination
Amount: +$289,000
The funding increase will provide for an enhancement of
Department-wide coordination efforts to increase evaluation and measurement
activities and engage internal and external stakeholders. These activities will enable RITA to recognize unnecessary duplication and help identify the Department’s best
opportunities for concentrating research efforts to gain the best
investment.
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