Nevada Department of Transportation

Research ProgramKen Chambers

Nevada• 2.8 million people

(2 million in Clark Co.; 430,000 in Washoe Co.)• 5,380 NDOT-maintained centerline miles

(654 Urban; 4,726 Rural)

• 17 counties• 4 MPOs

Nevada

Constitutionally protected State Highway Fund• Driver’s license & registration fees• Fuel tax

– 18.455¢ per gallon (27.75¢ for diesel)– 6.35¢ county mandatory tax– Up to 9¢ county optional tax– Washoe County indexing since 2003

State Highway Fund revenue: about $1 Billion

Nevada DOT

• Board oversight(Governor, Lt. Gov., Controller, 4 Appointees)

• 1,800 employees(200 admin.; 400 pre-const.; 400 const.; 800 maintenance)

• Three “Districts”• 259 fatalities (2012)

NDOT Research

NDOT Research

• RDT annual apportionment: $1.7 million• UTC participation: $250,000• Good department support• Excellent support from administration!!

NDOT Research Expenditures

Project Selection Process(Through Federal Fiscal 2014)

• Followed our 2003 Research Manual• An annual process• Relied on two interdisciplinary groups of

professionals within the Department:– The Research Advisory Committee – The Research Management Committee

Research Project Selection Process(Through Federal Fiscal 2014)

December January

February

March

April

May

JuneJuly

November

October

September

August

Mar 1 – 15: RAC Evaluates and Prioritizes Problem Statements

Jan 1 - 31: Develop/Prepare Problem Statements

Feb 1 – 28: Sort, Screen and Clarify New Problem Statements

Mar 16 -June 15: Proposal Development/Submission

Oct 16 – Dec 31: Conduct Meetings/Brainstorm Sessions to Identify Research Needs

Oct 1-15: Solicitation Begins; Distribute Problem Statement Form

Sep 1-30: Agreement Drafting / Develop SPR Work Program

Jun 15 – July 31: RAC Meets to Evaluate and Prioritize New Proposals

Aug 1 – 31: RMC Meets to Approve New Research Priorities

Research Timetable

Project Selection Process(Beginning Federal Fiscal 2015)

• Quarterly– Problem Statements– Proposals

• Eight Expert Task Groups• SPR Task: Strategic Research Plan• Update our Research Manual

Thank You!

Ken ChambersResearch ChiefNevada DOT1263 South Stewart St.Carson City, NV 89712(775) 888-7220kchambers@dot.state.nv.us