Form

Research Partnering Project Annual Evaluation Form

Partnering Projects are defined as projects where MDT is not the sole funder and MDT is not the lead. Examples of partnering projects include AASHTO Technical Services Programs (TSP) and pooled fund studies (TPF). Champions may request up to three years of funding for these projects via the Partnering Project Funding Request Form and a presentation to MDT’s high level Research Review Committee (RRC). however, they are required to present progress annually to the RRC via this form and in-person.

Research Partnering Project Funding Request Form

Partnering projects are defined as projects where MDT is not the sole funding contributor and MDT is not the lead. AASHTO Technical Services Programs (TSP) and pooled fund projects (TPF) are all considered partnering projects. This form must be submitted by the project/program champion and presented to MDT’s high level Research Review Committee (RRC). Champions may only ask for three years of support and must present progress to the RRC annually, both via the Partnering Project Annual Evaluation Form and in-person.

Stage 2: Research Topic Statement Form

If a research idea is moved forward from the Stage 1, review of the literature, a Stage 2 form is completed. This form contains the following fields: Title; Topic Statement; Related Research Summary from Stage 1; Research Proposed; Research Period; IT Component; Feasibility, Probability of Success, and Risk; Urgency, Importance, and Expected Benefits/Payoff; Implementability, Implementation Plan, and Implementation Responsibility; MDT Priority Focus Areas; Total Cost Estimate; MDT Funding Source; Funding Match Source and Amount; Potential Technical Panel Members; Submitter Information; Champion Information; and Sponsor Information. All fields, except for the Sponsor Information, must be completed upon submittal. The Sponsor is a high level, Division or District Administrator level, or higher. Sponsors agree we should pursue the research topic and also agree to ensure implementation occurs, as appropriate. After submittal of the Stage 2 form, the Champion reviews the document and either agrees to continue to champion the idea or withdraws championship. If the former, Research staff attempts to identify a Sponsor. If one is found, the champion will present the idea to MDT’s high level Research Review Committee (RRC), which considers which topics to move forward to the Technical Panel Stage. If the Champion withdraws championship, the research topic goes no further.

Stage 1: Research Idea Form

This form can be submitted by anyone and it is due by 3/31 of each year. The purpose of this form is to describe a research idea sufficiently so that a literature search can be conducted. The fields include: Title, Description of idea, Submitter information, and Champion information. All but the last field must be completed upon submittal. If a champion is not identified on the form when submitted, Research staff will attempt to identify a champion. If no champion is identified, the idea goes no further. If a champion is identified, a literature search will be conducted by Research staff. After review of the literature search results, the champion decides if the idea should move forward to Stage 2.