Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management

Research and Technology Program Development and Partnership Team

Who We Are

The Research and Technology (R&T) Program Development and Partnership Team is organized under the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management (HRTM). HRTM consists of two other teams in addition to the R&T Program Development and Partnership Team: Communications and Outreach Team, and the Exploratory Advanced Research Team.    

What We Do

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, Transportation Research Board, 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 Innovation Research program, working with the Volpe Center of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA).

• State Planning and Research (SP&R)—SAFETEA-LU requires that States set aside 2 percent of the apportionments they receive from the Surface Transportation, National Highway System, Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation, Interstate Maintenance, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and Minimum Guarantee Funds programs for State Planning and Research (SP&R) activities. Of this amount, States must allocate at least 25 percent for research, development, and technology. State R&T activities include researching new areas of knowledge; adapting findings to practical applications by developing new technologies; and transferring these technologies to users- including the processes of dissemination, demonstration, training, and adoption of innovations.
  
• Peer Exchange—Under 23 CFR, Section 420.207(b), State R&T programs are required to use peer exchange-a practical and effective tool to foster excellence in R&T program management. Peer exchange provides an opportunity for participants to share best practices and management innovations through an open exchange of ideas, knowledge, and brainstorming. During a 2 to 4 day process, staff and management from a specific State R&T program work with a group of invited top-level State and Federal managers to exchange information particularly relevant to that R&T program. For additional information on conducting peer reviews, read FHWA's Guidelines for Conducting Peer Exchanges of State DOT Research Programs(PDF). The Frequently Asked Questions page contains helpful answers. Other useful documents include the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) reports, Documenting Peer Exchange Administrative Experiences (July 1998) and Peer Exchange: A Value-Added Program Management Tool ,
  
  
• National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)—Administered by TRB, the NCHRP is a means to conduct research in acute national problem areas that affect highway planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Funds for NCHRP are drawn from State Federal-aid highway funds. HRPD solicits problem statements from within FHWA for possible NCHRP projects, obtains expert comments on project statements, arranges for FHWA experts to participate on NCHRP review panels, and as research liaisons, accepts final reports, and authorizes release of highway funds for these cooperative research efforts.

• Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Program—The TPF Program allows FHWA; State, regional, and, local transportation agencies; academic institutions; foundations; and private firms to conduct R&T projects of mutual interest. Funds from participants are consolidated into a "pooled fund," and the resultant project is managed such that the perspectives and desires of participating agencies are addressed. (See "Synergy in Action: FHWA's Transportation Pooled-Fund Program" in the March/April 2002 Public Roads.)
  
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program—HRTM also identifies FHWA proposals for funding under the SBIR Program, a research and development program mandated by Congress in 1982, and reauthorized in 1992, with the purpose of developing technological innovations using the high level of expertise in the small business community throughout the United States. The aims of the program are to stimulate technological innovation; meet the U.S. Federal Government's needs for research and development by providing opportunities to small businesses; increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and provide opportunities for minority and disadvantaged participation in technological innovation.

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.

Our Responsibilities

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.

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 used on the OMB Web site. The office contributes to the annual report to the 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.