NCHRP 20-93:Development of a Guide for

Transportation Technology TransferPresented By:

Mark M. Hood P.E.

Pennoni Associates Inc.

Summer AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) MeetingSession: Research Program Management Tools

Project ObjectiveDevelop a Guide that provides methodologies, case examples, and techniques that facilitate transportation technology transfer.

Why?

“Technology transfer is difficult, in part, because we have underestimated just how much effort is required for such

transfer to occur effectively.”

(Rogers, Diffusion of Innovations)

The Problem• Enhancement of system performance• Enhancement of capabilities to make improvements• First adoption• Disseminate and apply new

– Idea– Product– Specification– Method

The Problem• Federal and DOT research

– Every Day Counts– SHRP– NCHRP

• Distinct from current practice• Incremental improvements• DISSEMINATION - BARRIERS

– Communication– Information management– Peer-to-peer collaboration

The SolutionComprehensive Decision Support Reference Guide• Decision tree/cookbook/map to help user through

the T2 process• Pinpoint decision points and potential pitfalls• Multiple paths

– Where are you starting?– How to deploy?

• Illustrative case studies

The Team• Project Panel• Pennoni Associates (Prime)• Vance and Renz, LLC• B.T. Harder Inc.• Samuel Hunter, Penn State University• Joseph Toole

Research Approach• Task 1: Review of Current Technology Transfer

State-of-the-Art• Task 2: Develop Methodology• Task 3: Prepare Guide for Transportation

Technology Transfer

Task 1: Review Current Technology Transfer State-of-the-

Art• Literature Review

– Electronic collection – web-based citation and abstract information

– Introduction– Synopsis of Findings: Topics and Subtopics– Summaries, citation counts, citation numbers.

• Surveys– Email– Telephone interviews

• Preliminary Identification of Case Studies

Task 1: Review Current Technology Transfer State-of-the-

Art• Descriptive catalog of barriers to technology

transfer• Successful T2 methods/strategies/techniques• Preliminary case study candidates

Task 2: Develop Methodology

• Organize information from Task 1 into a logical and intuitive framework to guide end users to:– Address methods for creating an impetus for change– Successful innovation implementation– Understand potential requisite changes within an adopting

organization– Decision tree or “map”: Technology Transfer Decision-

Support System• Multiple paths• Supported by case studies

Example: PennDOT’s System’s Model for Research

Implementation

Task 2: Develop Methodology

• Accept that a need exists for T2

• Be guided by agency’s strategic objectives• Provide financial and technical resources• Develop a team• Engage the field• Identify champions at all levels• Communicate• Build a foundation for success• Measure results

Task 3: Prepare Guide for Transportation Technology

Transfer• Two Potential User Groups

– 1) Transportation T2 Specialists– 2) Field staff, researchers, technical experts, research and

technology program administrators

• Potential Topics– Introduction, How the Guide Will Work, Transportation T2

Overview, Contexts for T2, Potential Barriers to Transportation T2, Transportation T2 Successful Practices, Pairings of Barriers with Methods, Strategies, Techniques, Alternatives, Choices, and Risks, Anticipated Results, Replicating Successes, Minimizing Failures, Case Studies

Task 3: Prepare Guide for Transportation Technology

Transfer• Adoption does not occur naturally• No magic formula for success• However, there ARE successful practices

– Carefully conceived and implemented• Person-to-person contact• Professionally written and visually appealing materials• End users needs, limitations, etc.

• Systematic approach

• PowerPoint presentation

For More Information or to Help (Case Studies)...

• Name: Mark M. Hood, PE

• Call: 814-238-1170 x3238OR 814-777-4096

• E-mail: mhood@pennoni.com