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����AP055’s Approach to RNS Development and Submitting Successful Problem Statements��� Will Rodman� Texas A&M Transportation Institute� AP055 Co-CRC�

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The Mini-Team Approach

  • Research subcommittee (small “s”)
  • Annually meets in late summer/early fall
  • CRC’s advanced agenda includes:
    • A rundown on successful (funded) projects
    • RNS ideas based on industry knowledge
    • Non-selected RNS worthy of resubmission
  • Other “new” ideas discussed on the call
  • Prioritization of RNS to be developed based on industry need and interest

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The Mini-Team Approach (cont’d)

  • In the call, mini-team leads and helpers are assigned based on interest
  • Mini-team leads often on the subcommittee but don’t have to be
  • Leads for “open” RNS are later recruited
  • Up to the leads to recruit other helpers
  • Typical mini-teams have 3-5 members

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Mini-Team Schedule

  • Schedule based on TCRP and NCHRP submittal dates; e.g., for TCRP submittals:

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  • Distribution to Committee, Friends, Other TRB Committees, Outside Organizations

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Syntheses

Full Projects

Synopsis

December

December

Present to Full Committee

January (at TRB)

January (at TRB)

Draft for Distribution

Late January

Early March

Submission

Mid-March

Mid-June

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The Role of the Mini-Team Lead

  • Once assigned/recruited, the mini-team lead is responsible for the RNS’ development
  • Responsible for mini-team composition, synopses, final draft, distribution, committee/external endorsements, revisions
  • Also responsible for program submission:
    • Directly for TCRP syntheses/full projects
    • To State DOTs or AASHTO for NCHRP syntheses/full projects (requires more lead time)

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Advice for the Mini-Team Leads

  • Get synopsis to Committee CRC in time for presentation to the full committee at TRB
  • Be prepared to introduce/defend the RNS at the meeting: Why is the research needed? Why should it be funded?
  • CRCs available to help recruit helpers for the mini-team if needed
  • The best RNS stem from mini-teams of 3-5, with the lead driving its development

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Advice for Leads (continued)

  • From there, it’s your puppy – do not necessarily rely on the CRCs to make things happen. Be proactive in drafting the statement. Take the Lead!
  • Beyond the team, circulate the draft among colleagues/friends for their input. It’s a good way to get additional ideas and perspectives and make sure you acknowledge their help.

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Advice for Leads (continued)

  • Be a good editor
    • Adopt suggested revisions that you think will improve the problem statement and appeal to a greater audience
    • If the suggested revisions are too narrow, exclude them, but thank the contributor.
    • If you need a tiebreaker, consider who the readers of the eventual report will be and/or seek the advice of your team members or other contributors.

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Advice for Leads (continued)

  • Distribute draft for review by colleagues and for endorsements (see schedule on slide 4).
  • Seek formal endorsements from other TRB committees and outside organizations
  • Spring conferences are good venues for this.
  • Include respond-by dates. Move it along.
  • Talk it up amongst your friends. Tell them what you’re up to. Create a hubbub about it.

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Keys to Successful Statements

  1. Problem Title
    • Make it strong e.g., “Impacts of….”
    • Do not pose it as a question
  2. Research Problem Statement
    • Why the research is needed; be passionate
  3. Objectives
    • Research is needed to identify…
  4. Research Proposed
    • Task-by-task description, traced back to the objectives
    • Forms the justification for the recommended funding

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Keys to Successful Statements

  1. Estimate Problem Funding & Research Period
    • Recommended funding
    • Research period
  2. Urgency and Payoff Potential
    • Detail immediate wins resulting from research
    • Remember that the T in TCRP stands for “transit” - focus on benefits to transit agencies and riders
  3. Relationship to FTA Strategic Research Goals and/or TCRP Strategic Priorities
    • Connect need with specific FTA or TCRP strategic goals

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Keys to Successful Statements

  1. Related Research
    • Identify specific TCRP/NCHRP research and/or other (non-TRB) research which has suggested this research
  2. Persons Developing the Problem Statement
    • Identify the primary authors and reviewers/contributors
    • Spread the wealth
  3. Process Used to Develop the Problem Statement
    • Describe the process – committee involvement
    • Describe the circulation for review/endorsements
    • Include all formal letters of endorsement

11. Date of Submittal / Submitted By

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