NCHRP Leveraging Resources for Better TransportationWaseem Dekelbab, PhD, PE, PMP

Sr. Program OfficerNational Cooperative Highway Research Program

Transportation Research Board

OverviewOrganization 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 Academyof Sciences

National Academy of Engineering

National Research Council

Behavioral & Social Sciences

Earth & Life Studies

Engineering &

Physical Sciences

Institute of Medicine Programs

Policy & Global Affairs

Transportation Research Board

Institute of Medicine

National Academies of Sciences 1863

Transportation Research Board

Technical Activities Division

Studies and Special Programs Division

Administration and Finance Division

Cooperative Research Programs Division

NCHRP TCRPACRP

NCFRP HMCRP NCRRPStrategic Highway

Research Program 2

TRB Divisions

Cooperative Research Program

Program

NCHRP (Highway)

TCRP (Transit)

ACRP (Airports)

NCFRP (Freight)

HMCRP (HazMat)

NCRRP (Railroad)

Began

19621992

2004

2006

2006

2010

Budget (FY2011)

$40M

$10M

$15M

$3M

$1M

$5M

Partners

FHWA, AASHTO

FTA, APTA

FAA, ACI

RITA

PHMSA

FRA

National Cooperative HighwayResearch 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 TypeNCHRP 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

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

NCHRP Program Cycle

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

New

18 Projects

40 Projects

$9,494,246

$17,040,000

FY2011 NCHRP ProgramContinuation Projects

Continuations 18 Projects $9,494,246

12 Special projects

$8,900,000 (94%)

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)

6 Continuation projects

$594,246(6%)

FY2011 NCHRP New Projects

New40 projects

$17,040,000

Other areas 35

$14,490,000(85%)

Bridges & Structures

5

$2,550,000(15%)

Writing:An Effective Problem

Statementhttp://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. Cover2. Summary Page3. Table of Contents4. Research Plan5. Qualifications of the Research Team6. Accomplishments of the Research Team7. Other Commitments of the Research Team8. Equipment and Facilities9. Time Requirements10. Itemized Budget11. Cooperative Features (if appropriate)12. Appendixes (if appropriate)

Proposal Evaluation Factors1. 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 results5. 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 Reporthttp://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/archive/

NotesDocs/CRPReportsPrep.pdf

Before Writing NCHRP Report• Audience:

– Project Panel– Transportation administrator, the operations-

oriented 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 CriteriaThe 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 Calibration of LRFD Concrete Bridge Design Specifications for Serviceability $500K

12-84Guidelines for the LRFD and Rating of Riveted, Bolted, and Welded Gusset-Plate Connections for Steel Bridges

$1M

12-33 Development of a Comprehensive Bridge Specification and Commentary-LRFD $1.4M

24-34 Risk-Based Approach to Bridge Scour Prediction $500K

NCHRP 12-84: Guidelines for the LRFD and Rating of Riveted, and Bolted Gusset-Plate Connections for Steel Bridges

Safety and SecurityProject 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

Intense heat caused steel bent cap to lose strength and I-580 Connector Collapses on I-880

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.

Sunday, April 29,2007 at 3:45 AMA Tanker burst into flame

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.

ConstructionProject Title Funds

12-79Guidelines for Analysis and Construction Engineering of Curved and Skewed Steel Girder Bridges

$600K

12-74 Development of a Precast Bent Cap System for Seismic Regions $600K

10-71Evaluation of CIP Reinforced Joints for Full-Depth Precast Concrete Bridge Decks

$650K

NCHRP 12-74: Grouted Duct

NCHRP 12-74: Grouted Duct Connection

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARDOF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

NCHRP 12-74: Cap Pocket

NCHRP 12-74: Cap Pocket

ASTM A760 spirally woundedcorrugated steel pipe

New MaterialsProject Title Funds

18-15 High-Performance/High-Strength Lightweight Concrete for Bridge Girders and Decks $750K

18-12Self-Consolidating Concrete for Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bridge ElementsCompleted—Published as NCHRP Report 628

$450K

12-77 Structural Design with High-Strength Reinforcement $600K

InspectionProject Title Funds

12-82 Developing Reliability-Based Bridge Inspection Practices $400K

20-07/Task 252

Guidelines for Implementing Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Bridge Inspection

$75K

10-64

Field Inspection of In-Service FRP Bridge DecksCompleted—Published as NCHRP Report 564

$300K

Maintenance, and Repair & StrengtheningProject Title Funds

18-14Evaluation 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

10-73Guide 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

Development of Portable Scour Monitoring Equipment Completed—Published as NCHRP Report 515

$300K

21-03

Instrumentation for Measuring Scour at Bridge Piers and Abutments Completed—Published as NCHRP Reports 396, 397A, and 397B

$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

Program Goal No. 1: Anticipate the future issues so that we are better prepared to meet new and emerging challenges.

NCHRP Project 20-83 SeriesLong-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.

NCHRP Project 20-83 SeriesLong-range Strategic Issues

Major Forces Affecting the U.S.and World

• Demographics• Environment and Energy• Technology• Economics• Societal Factors• Government and Politics

• PHASE I – Scenarios and Impacts• PHASE II – Vision Development• PHASE III – Guidance and Communication• PHASE IV – Deliverables

NCHRP Project 20-83(03)Long-Range Strategic Issues Affecting

Preservation, Maintenance, and Renewal of Highway Infrastructure

FY2011 NCHRP Bridge and Structure Funded Projects

Project Title Funds

12-87Development of System Fracture Analysis Methods for Fracture Critical Steel Bridges

$400K

12-88System Performance of Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Connections in Moderate-to-High Seismic Regions

$100K

12-89 Development of New AASHTO LRFD Tunnel Design Specifications $750K

Project Title Funds

14-23 Quantify the Information Necessary to Guide Bridge Preservation Decisions

$850K

18-16 Self-Consolidating Concrete for Cast-in-place Concrete Bridges and Tunnels

$450k

Task294

Continuation of Funding of 20-07 Task 245 - Update Bridge Temporary Works

$100K

FY2011 NCHRP Bridge and Structure Funded Projects

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 DesignThe 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 StructuresReport 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

Acknowledgements

• Members of AASHTO -

Subcommittee on Bridges

and Structures—SCOBS

• FHWA

• NCHRP Panel Members

• Research Teams

Questions?