Enhancing Transportation Research: Quick-Turn Synthesis Approach
Discover the efficiency of quick-turnaround synthesis in transportation research, bridging gaps and providing timely solutions. Explore how this approach offers a cost-effective and rapid way to address critical issues in the transportation sector.
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Presentation Transcript
Research and communications for transportation professionals Quick-Turnround Synthesis Fills the Research Gap Brian Hirt AASHTO Research Advisory Committee Meeting July 2024
Show of hands! Who here believes that research is a vital part of solving problems in transportation? this is not a trick question (promise!)
Traditional research is INTENSIVE! Cost intensive Time intensive Risk intensive. The findings may become obsolete before the work is done, due to shifting priorities or evolving technologies may reveal that research wasn t necessary because the problem has been solved or is intractable or isn t really the problem that needs to be studied!
Synthesis Research The NCHRP Synthesis Research Program Searches out and synthesizes useful knowledge from all available sources and prepares concise, documented reports on specific topics. This is the GOLD STANDARD for synthesis work Still somewhat time and cost intensive They need to be, because like all NCHRP projects, they must serve multiple states Rigorous survey benchmarks (80% of states) Go through the TRB publication process Not all proposed topics become studies Toot, toot!
Quick-Turnaround Synthesis Work Two examples Minnesota DOT Transportation Synthesis Reports www.dot.state.mn.us/ research/TRS.html Caltrans Preliminary Investigations dot.ca.gov/programs/research- innovation-system- information/preliminary- investigations
Components of a Synthesis Report Lit Search (almost always) Follow-up with Experts (sometimes) Survey (very commonly)
Features Fast Typical turnaround in 6-10 weeks Get the answers your internal customers need. Sometimes that answer is: DO RESEARCH (and that s OK!) Sometimes that answer is: No need for research (and that s equally OK!) Inexpensive Range from 40-100 hours Highly dependent on topic and tasks Your-mileage-may-vary on cost Possible to train in-house staff (if you have the right staff)
Features Significantly more information than a lit search or lit review Synthesis of findings more than a summary Gaps and possible next steps Appropriate for a wide range of topics Engineering, policy, and everything in between Tangential to traditional research subjects Niche Emerging Oddball
Features Guided by a request form submitted by the interested DOT staff member Each step overseen by a project panel Reviews final scope Reviews survey questions Reviews draft
Considerations and Challenges How does this fit in the portfolio of other research projects? How is this service framed to internal customers? How is it promoted (how to get them to bite )? Comments and perspectives from Katie Walker Joe Horton
Want to know more? We re here! (And look in the program book for contact info) Brian Hirt Principal and CEO 402-770-9076 brian.hirt@ctcandassociates.com Chris Kline Chief Operating Officer 920-401-9323 chris.kline@ctcandassociates.com also Director of Research
