DOT Plan Addresses Need for Continuing Technology, Innovation Deployment

A new report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) suggests research and innovation will be key to the department’s success in fiscal year 2005.

In Fiscal Year 2004/2005 Performance Plan, DOT’s Office of Research Development and Technology (RD&T) sets forth numerous challenges and commitments, detailing 82 research initiatives for its infrastructure and safety program areas. RD&T also outlines 35 ongoing projects for its operations division. Anticipated goal impacts and target completion dates are established for all initiatives.

Within the RD&T plan are four basic challenges:

• Effectively deliver needed products and services through a.) development of quality research products and services that address individual needs of internal and external customers and b.) improvement of research and technology (R&T) collaboration and communication with the FHWA resource center.
• Improve business and administrative processes by implementing the FHWA plan within RD&T, to a.) refine the lab assessment process, b.) define methodologies or tools to evaluate projects and measure performance and c.) advance information technologies and systems to address the needs of a world-class research organization.
• Develop and recognize employees by mentoring and encouraging training to develop and build skills and improve the award and recognition program to value achievements.
• Communicate the FHWA R&T story and future agenda through improved a.) communication of initiatives and focus areas, b.) collaboration with headquarters and field offices and c.) identification of national research program priorities, resources and funding needs with partners.

The DOT report cites the recent reworking of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mission statement to reflect its contribution to enhancing mobility. The statement underscores the agency’s commitment to organizationally “raise the bar” on technology and innovation deployment.

To expand effectiveness and efficiency and to create a new role for itself, FHWA also developed an agency-wide plan for research and technology. The agency’s plan outlines a strategy for investing in and conducting cooperative research with partners and stakeholders and includes 26 agency commitments through a performance report.

The Performance Plan is available at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/about/03085/index.htm