NCHRP peer exchange 2008.

PDFTech ReportState departments of transportationPeer groupsResearch managementProgram managementImplementationInformation disseminationPersonnel developmentContractorsWashington (District of Columbia)National Cooperative Highway Research ProgramNational Cooperative Highway Research ProgramNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYUS Transportation CollectionPeer exchanges for state department of transportation (DOT) research programs originated withthe Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). That federal legislationrequired the states to conduct periodic peer exchanges to foster excellence in research programmanagement. State DOTs have found the peer exchange to be an excellent forum for the openexchange of ideas, knowledge, and brainstorming. Many states have now conducted two or threepeer exchanges, and the value and benefits of the program have been significant.The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) of the Transportation ResearchBoard (TRB) is not required to conduct a peer exchange, but NCHRP management recognize thepeer exchange format as an excellent tool to explore new ways of improving the efficiency andeffectiveness of the program.The first NCHRP peer exchange, held in March 2002, was a general review of the full researchprogram. This report documents the results of NCHRP\ue2\u20ac\u2122s second peer exchange, held September23-25, 2008 (refer to Appendix A for details of the agenda). The 2008 event focused on fourspecific themes:1. Doing the Right Research2. Dissemination and Implementation3. Keeping on Track4. Workforce DevelopmentIn preparation for the peer exchange, team members (refer to Appendix B for contactinformation for the participants) were sent a discussion paper on each of the four theme areas forreview. (These discussion papers constitute Appendix C). The report includes generalobservations of the peer exchange team, as well as specific items for consideration by theNCHRP