NCHRP Leveraging Resources for Better Transportation Waseem Dekelbab, PhD, PE, PMP Sr. Program Officer National Cooperative Highway Research Program Transportation Research Board
Overview Organization and Process NRC, TRB, CRP, NCHRP NCHRP Program Cycle NCHRP Program Funding Writing An Effective Problem Statement A Proposal for an NCHRP Project A Research Report NCHRP Bridge and Structure Projects AASHTO Grand Challenges NCHRP Bridge Research Areas FY2011 NCHRP Bridge Funding The TRB s IDEA Programs NCHRP Impacts on Practice
ORGANIZATION
Private, Nonprofit Institution The National Academies National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council Behavioral & Social Sciences Earth & Life Studies Engineerin g & Physical Sciences Institute of Medicine Programs Policy & Global Affairs Transportation Research Board
National Academies of Sciences 1863
TRB Divisions Transportation Research Board Technical Activities Division Studies and Special Programs Division Administration and Finance Division Cooperative Research Programs Division Strategic Highway Research Program 2 NCHRP TCRP ACRP NCFRP HMCRP NCRRP
Cooperative Research Program Program Began Budget (FY2011) Partners NCHRP (Highway) TCRP (Transit) 1962 1992 $40M $10M FHWA, AASHTO FTA, APTA ACRP (Airports) 2004 $15M FAA, ACI NCFRP (Freight) 2006 $3M RITA HMCRP (HazMat) 2006 $1M PHMSA NCRRP (Railroad) 2010 $5M FRA
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Sponsored by: American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)/State DOTs Managed by: Transportation Research Board (TRB) Assisted by: Federal Highway Administration
AASHTO s Research Program -Since 1962- State DOTs Funds Problems Applied research focus National issues Shared issues Contract research Oversight/guidance by expert panels Research by contractors Facilitation by staff
NCHRP Projects More than 1,320 projects since 1962 (130 contracts in bridges and structures area) More than 300 projects are active today The current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design specifications were developed under NCHRP 12-33 Since the adoption of LRFD in 1994, NCHRP bridge and structure research has been directed towards refinement and expansion of that document
NCHRP Research Products Recommended AASHTO Guides and Specifications Guides for practitioners Software products New or improved models/tools New or improved operations and services New or improved testing/evaluation techniques Fact finding (white papers)
NCHRP Funding Type NCHRP do not operate on a grant basis. It is applied contract research program totally committed to providing timely solutions to problems facing transportation agencies and organizations.
PROCESS
NCHRP Program Cycle Submittal Evaluation Program Formulation Program Approval Panel Formulation Proposal Process Agency Selection Project Surveillance
NCHRP Program Cycle Submittal & Evaluation NCHRP solicits problem statements from authorized sources: DOTs, AASHTO Committees/Subcommittees, and FHWA (July-September) FHWA, and NCHRP evaluation panels and staff evaluate problem statements SCOR and RAC rate the candidates according to priority in a ballot format NCHRP sends a summary report to the SCOR
NCHRP Program Cycle Formulation & Approval SCOR meets to formulate the NCHRP Program (late March) FHWA approves the program SCOR sends a report to the AASHTO Board of Directors requesting approval of the program AASHTO refers program to the NAS for administration NAS reviews for acceptance
NCHRP Program Cycle Execution NCHRP solicits panel nominations (May-June) NCHRP appoints panel members Panel prepares RFP (July- September) NCHRP solicits proposals Panel reviews the proposals and makes recommendation for award of contract NCHRP negotiates and executes a contract NCHRP administers the project
FUNDING
Financial Support By State Departments of Transportation (incl. DC) With 5.5% of State Planning and Research (SPR) (2%) funds (Voluntary contribution) Through the Federal Highway Administration
FY2011 NCHRP Program Funding $26,534,246 Continuation 18 Projects $9,494,246 New 40 Projects $17,040,000
FY2011 NCHRP Program Continuation Projects Continuations 18 Projects $9,494,246 12 Special projects $8,900,000 (94%) 6 Continuation projects $594,246 (6%) Research for AASHTO SCO: Planning, Highway, Public Transportation, and Environment Synthesis, Legal Studies, IDEA, Domestic and International Scan, and NCHRP Program Implementation Surface Transportation Security Research Research for Administration of HW&T Agencies (CEOs)
FY2011 NCHRP New Projects New 40 projects $17,040,000 Other areas 35 Bridges & Structures 5 $14,490,000 (85%) $2,550,000 (15%)
Writing: An Effective Problem Statement http://www.trb.org/researchfunding/appendi xawritingaresearchstatement.aspx
Write an Effective Research Statement Title Hint: Look at every word in your title and ask yourself if it s necessary. Background Hint: When writing the background section, keep thinking Why should stakeholders care about this problem? Objective Hint: A very reasonable objective statement is to develop (insert your title).
Write an Effective Research Statement Potential Benefits Hint: Be positive but honest. Use real numbers if you can measure or estimate them Relationships to the Existing Body of Knowledge Hint: Be specific in describing the research statement s relationship to the existing body of knowledge. Hint: Discuss how your project will advance the state of knowledge and yield new or additional practical benefits.
Write an Effective Research Statement Tasks Hint: The more detail you include in the task statements, the less opportunity a researcher has to show initiative and innovation. Don t be prescriptive. Follow-on and Implementation Activities Hint: If you are aware of a specific national body that will need to take ownership of the project results, identify them in your research statement. Hint: Make them aware and supportive of your research statement.
Write an Effective Research Statement Estimated Funding Requirements Hint: If you work with consultants or academics on TRB or other committees, talk with them about the level of resources needed to undertake the work. Concluding Comments and Tips Hint: Don t be discouraged or embarrassed by constructive reviews; they are the best guidance you will ever get for writing better research statements.
Writing: A Proposal on NCHRP Projects http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/crp/ docs/proposalprep.pdf
Before Writing a Proposal Audience: a panel consisting of outstanding individuals, knowledgeable in the specifics of the particular project. Funding: the total funding is known. Liability Statement: proposal will be rejected without it. Proposal Deadline: any proposal that arrives after the deadline will be rejected. Essential Proposal Content: noncompliance will result in automatic rejection. Proposal Evaluation Factors: 6 factors to evaluate a proposal.
Details of Essential Proposal Content 1. Cover 2. Summary Page 3. Table of Contents 4. Research Plan 5. Qualifications of the Research Team 6. Accomplishments of the Research Team 7. Other Commitments of the Research Team 8. Equipment and Facilities 9. Time Requirements 10. Itemized Budget 11. Cooperative Features (if appropriate) 12. Appendixes (if appropriate)
Proposal Evaluation Factors 1. The proposer s demonstrated understanding of the problem; 2. The merit of the proposed research approach and methodology; 3. Experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; 4. The plan for ensuring application of results 5. The proposer s plan for participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and 6. The adequacy of the facilities and equipment.
Writing: A Research Report http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/archive/ NotesDocs/CRPReportsPrep.pdf
Before Writing NCHRP Report Audience: Project Panel Transportation administrator, the operationsoriented transportation professional, or any other reader whose primary concern is to put research results into practice. Final Report Acceptance Criteria Report Structure and Style
NCHRP Report Acceptance Criteria The Project panel will be asked to determine: The degree of fulfillment of the project s technical requirements If the agency s conclusions are adequately supported, if the report is satisfactorily written, and if the report is free of statements on sensitive matters (national policy, proprietary information, etc.)
NCHRP Report Standard Structure Executive Summary Chapter 1 Background Chapter 2 Research Approach Chapter 3 Findings and Applications Chapter 4 Conclusions, Recommendations, and Suggested Research References Appendixes
NCHRP Bridge and Structure Research
Grand Challenges: AASHTO Strategic Plan for Bridge Engineering Extending Service Life Optimizing Structural Systems Accelerating Bridge Construction Advancing the AASHTO Specifications Monitoring Bridge Condition Contributing to National Policy Managing Knowledge
NCHRP Bridge Research Areas Design and Specifications Safety and Security Construction New Materials Inspection Maintenance and Repair & Strengthening Testing and Instrumentation Asset Management and Performance Measures
Design and Specifications Project Title Funds 12-83 12-84 12-33 24-34 Calibration of LRFD Concrete Bridge Design Specifications for Serviceability Guidelines for the LRFD and Rating of Riveted, Bolted, and Welded Gusset-Plate Connections for Steel Bridges Development of a Comprehensive Bridge Specification and Commentary-LRFD Risk-Based Approach to Bridge Scour Prediction $500K $1M $1.4M $500K
NCHRP 12-84: Guidelines for the LRFD and Rating of Riveted, and Bolted Gusset-Plate Connections for Steel Bridges
Safety and Security Project Title Funds 12-86 Bridge System Safety and Redundancy $500K 12-85 Highway Bridge Fire Hazard Assessment $350K 12-72 Blast-Resistant Highway Bridges: Design and Detailing Guidelines $950K
Maze Meltdown A Tanker burst into flame Sunday, April 29,2007 at 3:45 AM 3:55 a.m.: The overpass was buckling as firefighters arrived. Steel is known to lose half of its rigidity at 1,000 degrees and begins to melt at 2,750 degrees. Fallen roadway -- 4:02 a.m. Intense heat caused steel bent cap to lose strength and I-580 Connector Collapses on I-880
Tanker Fire Shuts Down I-75, Collapses Nine Mile Bridge July 15, 2009 The explosion and heat from the fire weakened the portion of the bridge over the northbound lanes, causing it to collapse on the freeway below at 8:40 p.m.
Construction Project Title Funds 12-79 12-74 10-71 Guidelines for Analysis and Construction Engineering of Curved and Skewed Steel Girder Bridges Development of a Precast Bent Cap System for Seismic Regions Evaluation of CIP Reinforced Joints for Full-Depth Precast Concrete Bridge Decks $600K $600K $650K
NCHRP 12-74: Grouted Duct
NCHRP 12-74: Grouted Duct Connection
NCHRP 12-74: Cap Pocket TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
NCHRP 12-74: Cap Pocket ASTM A760 spirally wounded corrugated steel pipe
New Materials Project Title Funds 18-15 High-Performance/High-Strength Lightweight Concrete for Bridge Girders and Decks $750K 18-12 Self-Consolidating Concrete for Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bridge Elements Completed Published as NCHRP Report 628 $450K 12-77 Structural Design with High-Strength Reinforcement $600K
Inspection Project Title Funds 12-82 20-07/ Task 252 10-64 Developing Reliability-Based Bridge Inspection Practices Guidelines for Implementing Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Bridge Inspection Field Inspection of In-Service FRP Bridge Decks Completed Published as NCHRP Report 564 $400K $75K $300K
Maintenance, and Repair & Strengthening Project Title Funds 18-14 Evaluation and Repair Procedures for Precast/Prestressed Concrete Girders with Longitudinal Cracking in the Web $300K 14-15 Developing a National Database System for Maintenance Actions on Highway Bridges $427K 10-73 Guide Specification for the Design of Externally Bonded FRP Systems for Repair and Strengthening of Concrete Bridge Elements $450K
Testing and Instrumentation Project Title Funds 21-07 21-03 Development of Portable Scour Monitoring Equipment Completed Published as NCHRP Report 515 Instrumentation for Measuring Scour at Bridge Piers and Abutments Completed Published as NCHRP Reports 396, 397A, and 397B $300K $916K
Asset Management and Performance Measures Project Title Funds 20-24 (37)E Measuring Performance Among State DOTs -- Bridge Conditions $75K 12-69 Multiple-Objective Optimization for Bridge Management Systems $350K Synthesis 20-05/Topic 37-07 Bridge Management Systems for Transportation Agency Decision-Making Completed Published as NCHRP Synthesis 397 $300K
NCHRP Project 20-83 Series Long-range Strategic Issues Program Goal No. 1: Anticipate the future issues so that we are better prepared to meet new and emerging challenges.
NCHRP Project 20-83 Series Long-range Strategic Issues Program Goal No. 2: Explore visions of what the future should look like, so that we can help shape the future through our decision making.
Major Forces Affecting the U.S. Demographics and World Environment and Energy Technology Economics Societal Factors Government and Politics
NCHRP Project 20-83(03) Long-Range Strategic Issues Affecting Preservation, Maintenance, and Renewal of Highway Infrastructure PHASE I Scenarios and Impacts PHASE II Vision Development PHASE III Guidance and Communication PHASE IV Deliverables
FY2011 NCHRP Bridge and Structure Funded Projects Project Title Funds 12-87 Development of System Fracture Analysis Methods for Fracture Critical Steel Bridges $400K 12-88 12-89 System Performance of Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Connections in Moderate-to-High Seismic Regions Development of New AASHTO LRFD Tunnel Design Specifications $100K $750K
FY2011 NCHRP Bridge and Structure Funded Projects Project Title Funds 14-23 Quantify the Information Necessary to Guide Bridge Preservation Decisions $850K 18-16 Self-Consolidating Concrete for Cast-inplace Concrete Bridges and Tunnels $450k Task 294 Continuation of Funding of 20-07 Task 245 - Update Bridge Temporary Works $100K
The TRB's IDEA Programs Fostering innovation in transportation through start-up funding and support of promising concepts NCHRP-IDEA seeks advances in design, construction, safety, maintenance, security, and operations and management of highway systems
A Bold New Idea in Bridge Design The NCHRP IDEA and High- Speed Rail IDEA programs recognized the possibilities in a revolutionary bridge beam design. This beam would never have made it off the drawing board without the IDEA programs support, Hillman says. I strongly encourage the engineering profession to support the model of the IDEA programs.
NCHRP Impacts on Practice* Selected success stories related to bridges and structures: National Standards Raise the Bar for Bridge Joints Report 467: Performance Testing for Modular Bridge Joint Systems New Design Specs for Support Structures Report 494: Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals April 8, 2010 Bridge Owners Using Inspection Guidelines Report 534: Guidelines for Inspection and Strength Evaluation of Suspension Bridge Parallel Wire Cables *http://www.trb.org/nchrp/nchrpimpactsonpractice.aspx
http://www.trb.org/nchrp
Members of AASHTO - Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures SCOBS FHWA NCHRP Panel Members Research Teams Acknowledgements
Questions?