Overview of Louisiana Transportation Research Center

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Overview ofLouisiana Transportation Research
Center

• Presented to
• ULL
• 30 Nov 2009

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Created byR.S. 48105in 1986
LTRC

• Cooperative research, technology transfer and
  training center jointly administered by
• LADOTD and LSU

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LTRCs Mission

• Effectively merge the resources of DOTD/LTRC and
  universities to provide transportation related
  research, education and training in a manner
  that
• Addresses DOTD problems/needs
• Addresses transportation industry problems/needs
• Supports local government
• Advances transportation technology
• Benefits Louisiana's universities
• Provides optimal return on taxpayers' dollars

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Functions and Duties of LTRC

• To develop conduct a nationally recognized
  research program in transportation systems
• To offer educational training programs
• To develop implement a technology transfer
  program
• To establish cooperative relationships with
  universities, associations agencies
• To report publish research findings

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Policy Committee

• Advises LTRC and makes recommendations concerning
  research and technology transfer programs,
  fiscal-year budgets, and reviews activities and
  progress of the center.

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LTRC Policy Committee

• DOTD - Secretary appoints 3 members
• Universities - one member from each civil
  engineering (or related) program
• LSU
• UL Lafayette
• Southern
• LTU
• UNO
• Tulane
• McNeese
• LTRC Director
• FHWA - invited observers

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(No Transcript)
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LTRC Organization Chart
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LTRC Staff
Director R D Training Total

• DOTD Personnel 2 27 15 44
• University Personnel 1 18
  12 31
• TOTAL 3 45 27
  75

• Full-time classified employees of department
• Faculty and staff of university
• Graduate and undergraduate students not shown

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LTRC Organization ChartResearch Section
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LTRC OrganizationTraining Technology Transfer
Section
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LTRC Facilities

• LTRC Main Office (LSU BR campus)
• 10,920 sq. ft.
• Laboratories (LSU BR campus)
• 11,760 sq. ft.
• Training Center (LSU BR campus)
• 14,000 sq. ft.
• Pavement Research Facility (Port Allen)
• 6 acres site

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LTRCTransportation Training Education Center
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LTRC 09-10 Work ProgramFunding by Work Area
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09-10 LTRC Work Program by Funding Source
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LTRC 09-10 Work ProgramState Funding by
University
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WORK PROGRAMFUNDING

• Federal SPR Part II (Internal research program)
• State funding (External University contracts)
• Federal (IBRC, Corp of Engineers, etc)
• Federal STP (Technology Transfer, Workforce
  Development)
• Self Generated (NCHRP, Private)
• Other funding (non LTRC budgeted)

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WORK PROGRAM STUDIES

• Fiscal Year 04 05 06 07 08 09
• SPR
• Active 19 21 15 18 18 19
• Proposed 24 19 28 19 11 17
• State
• Active 20 17 17 8 19 16
• Proposed 7 8 13 16 8 12
• Self-Generated
• Active 2 1 2 4 6 9
• Proposed 2 2 2 2 6 4
• Other Funded
• Active 2 0 5 4
• Proposed 1 4 3 4

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LTRC Support for Higher Education

• Research opportunities for faculty
• Theses, dissertations for grad students
• Education/training opportunities for faculty
• Student worker program (LSU)
• Co-op program (7 universities)
• Senior CE project support program
• Teaching by LTRC research adjunct professors
• TIRE Program

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LTRC Training / Education Role

• Engineering continuing education
• PDH requirements by board of registration
• Transportation related topics
• Conferences, seminars, workshops
• Job skills training for technicians
• Construction
• Design
• Maintenance
• Management / professional development programs
• CPTP
• Management topics
• Construction project management
• TQM
• Strategic planning

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LTRC Training and Education Role

• Major customers
• 4800 DOTD personnel
• Consultants
• Contractors
• Local government personnel
• Major resources
• LTRC tech transfer/training staff
• Technology transfer center
• National highway institute
• Universities
• Consultants
• LTRC research staff

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Technology Transfer Center (LTAP)

• One of 51 T2 centers in USA
• Cooperative effort of DOTD, FHWA, and LSU
• Goal is to help improve local transportation
  agencies by providing
• Training
• Technical materials
• Assistance and information

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LTRC Foundation, Inc.
Connecting Government, Industry, and Academia

• Louisiana Transportation Research Center

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What Is the LTRC Foundation?

• The Foundation is a nonprofit corporation formed
  to enhance and support LTRC
• LTRC is committed to establishing cooperation in
  the transportation community to improve
  transportation systems in Louisiana
• The Foundation represents a unique opportunity
  for government, industry, and academia to work
  together

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Functions of the Foundation

• Can solicit and accept donations of funds and
  equipment to enhance and support LTRC
• Permits LTRC to partner with other transportation
  interests / customers in providing services
• Permits LTRC to purchase liability insurance
  necessary to receive research grants

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Board of Directors

• LTRC - Director, Assoc. Director for Research
  and Assoc. Director for Technology Transfer
• DOTD - Deputy Secretary, Chief Engineer,
  Assistant Secretary, Planning Programming
• ACADEMIA - Civil Engineering Dept. Heads
  representing LSU, LTU, UNO, UL Lafayette,
  Tulane, Southern and McNeese
• INDUSTRY - 6 positions to be named

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What Are the Goals of the Foundation?

• Constructing an education and training facility
  for the transportation community
• Enhancing the research/equipment capabilities of
  LTRC
• Endowing LTRC research professorships

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LTRC
Development Approval of Research Work Program
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LTRC Customers

• This is your opportunity
• to assist LTRC in
• focusing future activities to optimize benefits
  to transportation industry.

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Problem statements welcomedat any time

• BUT
• Formally solicited on a biennial basis
• Financial commitments for research over
• two-year period

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Development / Approval of Research Work Program
DOTD Universities FHWA
Transportation industry Local government
Biennial Solicitation of Problem Statements
Emergent Issues
Approval by FHWA of SPR Funded Portion of Work
Prog.
Approval of Individual Projects by DOTD Sectry.
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Problem Statements are Solicited From

• DOTD Personnel
• LA State Universities
• FHWA
• Private Transportation Interests
• Local Government Transportation Interests

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Solicitation of Research Problem Statements

• LA DOTD
• Each Director
• Each Division Chief
• Each District
• Each Section

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Solicitation of Research Problem Statements

• Associations
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• Asphalt Institute
• LA Chap. of American Concrete Paving Assoc.
• Concrete Aggregates Assoc. of LA, Inc.
• LA Crushed Stone Association
• LA Asphalt Pavement Association
• LA Highway Safety Commission
• LA Motor Transport Association, Inc
• LA Engineering Society
• American Concrete Institute
• Ports Association of LA
• Associated General Contractors of LA, Inc.
• LA Public Transit (Railroads)
• LA Airport Managers Association
• Consulting Engineers Council of LA

contd.
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Solicitation of Research Problem Statements,
contd.

• Universities
• Louisiana Tech University
• Louisiana State University
• McNeese State University
• Southern University
• Tulane University
• University of New Orleans
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette

contd.
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Solicitation of Research Problem Statements,
contd.

• Local Governments
• Rapides Area Planning Commission
• Capital Region Planning Commission
• Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Govt
• Lafayette Areawide Planning Commission
• Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning
  Development Commission
• Ouachita Council of Governments
• N.O. Regional Planning Commission
• Shreveport Area Council of Governments
• City Departments of Public Works
• Shreveport - Alexandria
• Baton Rouge - Lafayette
• New Orleans - Monroe

contd.
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Solicitation of Research Problem Statements,
contd.

• Federal Highway Administration
• LA FHWA Division
• FHWA - Region VI

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LTRC USE ONLY
PROBLEM STATEMENT NO.
DATE OF RECEIPT
1. PROBLEM TITLE (GIVE A BRIEF AND
APPROPRIATE NAME TO THE PROBLEM YOU ARE
PROPOSING) 2. PROBLEM STATEMENT
(BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM YOU ARE
PROPOSING) 3. PROPOSED RESEARCH
(DESCRIBE THE APPROACH YOU ENVISION TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM)
4. POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION AND BENEFIT
(DESCRIBE HOW YOU FORESEE THE RESULTS WILL BE
IMPLEMENTED AND HOW THE TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY
WILL BENEFIT. HIGHER PRIORITIES WILL
BE GIVEN TO STATEMENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT
IMPLEMENTATION POTENTIAL)
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Development / Approval of Research Work Program
DOTD Universities FHWA
Transportation industry Local government
Biennial Solicitation of Problem Statements
Review Prioritization by Research Technical
Committees
Emergent Issues
Approval by FHWA of SPR Funded Portion of Work
Prog.
Approval of Individual Projects by DOTD Sectry.
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Problem Statement Solicitation Process

• Advantage
• Involves Customers / Reflects Needs
• Improves Implementation Potential
• Disadvantage
• More Ideas Generated Than Can Be Funded

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• Solicitation was closed on Dec. 1, 2008
• Received 60 problem statements
• Material 18 - Structure 11
• Pavement 9 - Safety 7
• Hydraulic 3 - Geotech 3
• Environment 3 - Other 4
• Planned RPIC committees
• Material
• Structure
• Pavement, Geotech Hydraulics
• Planning Environment

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RESEARCH PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

• RESEARCH PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION COMMITTEES
• Bridges and Hydraulic
• Materials and Construction
• Geotech, PMS, Pavement Design, and Preservation
• Traffic, Safety, and ITS
• Planning and Environmental

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Composition of Research Technical Committee

• Chairman - DOTD Staff Member
• LTRC Coordinator - Group Research Manager
• Transportation Industry Representatives
• Academic Representatives
• FHWA Representatives
• DOTD Representatives
• Local Government Representatives

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Technical Committee Meeting Activities

• Review of Existing Research Program
• Review Problem Statements
• Consider Advocate Problems With Merit /
  Implementation Potential / Urgency
• Identify
• Non-Research Problems
• Duplication of Existing Research
• Consolidate Similar Ideas
• Document Revised Scope
• Develop / Discuss New Ideas Not Previously
  Submitted

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Problem Statement Rating Process

• A) Importance as a Transportation Problem
• Low 1
• Med. 2
• High 3
• B) Implementation Potential
• Low 1
• Med. 2
• High 3
• Rating A x B From 1 to 9
• Minimum Favorable Composite Rating 5.50
• Rating Forms Mailed Following Committee Meeting

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Development / Approval of Research Work Program
DOTD Universities FHWA
Transportation industry Local government
Biennial Solicitation of Problem Statements
Review Prioritization by Research Advisory
Committee
Emergent Issues
Approval by FHWA of SPR Funded Portion of Work
Prog.
Approval of Individual Projects by DOTD Sectry.
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Composition of Research Advisory Committee

• Each Research Technical Committee Chairman
• DOTD Staff
• LTRC Personnel
• FHWA

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Development / Approval of Research Work Program
DOTD Universities FHWA
Transportation industry Local government
Biennial Solicitation of Problem Statements
Emergent Issues
Approval by FHWA of SPR Funded Portion of Work
Prog.
Approval of Individual Projects by DOTD Sectry.
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Emergent issues must be dealt with

• Unanticipated problems/needs
• Emerging technology

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Development / Approval of Research Work Program
DOTD Universities FHWA
Transportation industry Local government
Biennial Solicitation of Problem Statements
Emergent Issues
Review Recommendation by LTRC Policy Committee
Approval by FHWA of SPR Funded Portion of Work
Prog.
Approval of Individual Projects by DOTD Sectry.
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LTRC World Wide Web Home Page

• htpp//www.ltrc.lsu.edu

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An Overview of LTRCs External Program

• by
• Vijaya (VJ) Gopu, Ph.D., P.E.
• Associate Director External Programs
• Louisiana Transportation Research Center
• and
• Professor and Edward G. Schlieder Endowed Chair
• Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• UNO
• November 2009

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Strategic Mission of the External Programs
Initiative

• Expand the funding opportunities for university
  faculty and LTRC researchers from external
  sources (NCHRP,TRCP, ACRP, NCFRP, SHRP 2, FHWA,
  FTA, NHTSA, RITA, NSF, etc.) in the broad area
  of transportation engineering, planning and
  management.
• Involve talented faculty at various universities
  in providing advanced education and training
  opportunities to the transportation/construction
  industry work force and DOTD engineers. (This is
  in support of the tech transfer and training
  activities of LTRC)

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• LTRCs External Program expands funding
  opportunities for university faculty from
  external sources by
• Identifying funding opportunities at external
  agencies (NCHRP,TRCP, ACRP, NCFRP, SHRP 2, FHWA,
  FTA, NHTSA, RITA, NSF, etc.) in the broad area
  of transportation engineering, planning and
  management.
• Organizing faculty teams/clusters that can be
  most responsive to the opportunity. Pursuit of
  these opportunities is channeled through LTRC.
• Broadening the faculty base involved in
  transportation related research by engaging
  faculty in sciences, humanities and social
  studies.
• Providing proposal review, coordination, guidance
  and critical collaborations to render proposals
  submitted through LTRC competitive.

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Understanding Louisianas Engineering Research
Capacity
This is approximately 80 percent of the total
number of engineering faculty at one campus in
Texas. (Texas AM has nearly 400 engineering
faculty)
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Significance of LTRCs External Program
Initiative to Louisiana Universities

• LTRC is the only Center of its kind in the nation
  that has established an external program
  initiative with a key goal of increasing the
  external research support in the transportation
  area for faculty at all universities in the
  state.
• The initiative fosters development of
  multi-campus and multi-disciplinary research
  proposals in the transportation area by
  eliminating the need for budget management by a
  lead university often a sore point in
  multi-campus efforts.
• The research dollars stretch farther since,
  unlike a lead university in a multi-campus
  effort, LTRC doesnt levy indirect costs on
  sub-contracts that it awards.
• The initiative utilizes the full research
  capacity of the state, an approach necessary to
  complete with regional powerhouses.

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Related External Program Activities

• On LTRC invitation, NSF Program Directors make
  periodic visits to campuses to meet with faculty
  in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Several LSU,
  Tulane and UNO faculty members attended these
  meetings.
• 2. Workshops on How to Develop a Competitive
  Proposal are offered by Drs. VJ Gopu and Roger
  Seals at the invitation of any university in the
  region. Several such workshops have been held.

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Comments on External Funding Activity

• Over the past 36 months LTRC has increased its
  externally funded research studies to a level
  that closely matches the expenditures associated
  with the in-house studies and contract studies
  (supported by LTRC funds).
• In this period over 20 different PIs from LSU,
  UNO, LaTech, ULL and LTRC have been involved in
  developing the proposals (12.2M) submitted by
  LTRC.
• Effort is being made to engage faculty members at
  other campuses without engineering programs and
  those outside the engineering discipline in
  transportation related research activities.

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LTRC Research Expenditures for Fiscal Years 1999
2009
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Research Expenditures on Projects Funded by
External Agencies and Awarded through LTRC
NOTE ALL PROJECT PIs ARE FACULTY MEMBERS AT
LOUISIANA UNIVERSITIES
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Update on TIER Program

• LTRC received 12 TIER proposals from 10 different
  PIs at three universities.
• Four awards were made to investigators at LSU
  (2), ULL (1) and LaTech (1).
• Awards were made in May, 09 instead of January
  09 as planned due to the state budget situation.