MEMORANDUM
TO:
DISTRIBUTION
FROM:
Crawford F. Jencks
Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs
SUBJECT:
Joint Request
for FY 2011 Research Problem Statements—Due July 30, 2010
National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP)
& Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research
Program (HMCRP)
The National Cooperative Freight Research Program
(NCFRP) and the Hazardous
Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) are applied,
contract research programs
with objectives of
developing information that will be used to improve the
efficiency, reliability, safety, and security of the nation’s freight
transportation system. The NCFRP and
HMCRP were authorized in federal legislation -- the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users (SAFETEA-LU). The
Federal sponsors of the programs, respectively, are the U.S.
DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA). Both programs are managed by the Transportation
Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies.
The NCFRP and HMCRP carry out applied research and
other technical activities in a variety of freight system- and/or hazardous materials-related areas,
including policy, planning, operations, economics, administration, environment,
safety, and security. Each
program is governed by an oversight committee or panel, comprised primarily of
industry stakeholders.
The purpose of this announcement is to solicit problem statements identifying
research needs for the FY 2011 programs of the NCFRP
and HMCRP; these submittals will help to form the basis for
selection of the next
round of research projects by the respective
Oversight Committee
or Panel. Further
details about each program can be found on the TRB website as follows <http://www.trb.org/crp/about/divd.asp>
that may help guide submitters in understanding the interests of
the Committees. Previously
selected problems can
be found on the website as well.
A problem-statement outline is attached. Research problem statement submittals
should follow the outline and may be submitted by anyone at any time. However,
to be considered for the FY 2011 programs, we are asking that problems be
submitted by July
30, 2010. Problem statements may be submitted by e-mail to [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] depending on the subject matter. If not sure of which program, send
to either, and staff will make the appropriate assignment. Submitters are
encouraged to submit electronically, and it is preferred that the
problem statement be sent as an attachment to the e-mail message in Microsoft
Word format. However, the problem statement may also be submitted in the text
of an e-mail message or by fax or USPS. Please note that research problem
statements need not be lengthy; 1-2 pages should be sufficient to describe the
research topic in the requested format. And, evidence of a literature
search (i.e. a summary of findings) would be appreciated by the oversight
committees to minimize overlap with previous or ongoing research.
The oversight committees are expected to meet in late fall to select
the research problem statements for FY 2011. For research projects
selected, requests for proposals will be issued, and contractors will be
selected through a competitive proposal process.
Thank you for your interest. Your willingness to participate in the
identification of relevant research topics is a key element of a successful,
industry-driven cooperative
research program. Should you have any questions or need
additional information, please contact me at 202/334-3224 or [log in to unmask].
Attachment
Distribution:
Air Transport Association; American Association of
Port Authorities; American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials; American Trucking Associations; Association of American
Railroads; Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations; Cargo
Airline Association; Chair and Members, NCFRP Oversight Committee; Chair and
Members, TRB Committee — Freight Systems Group; Chairs
and Members, NCFRP Panels and Committees; Chairs and Members, GRB Freight
Committees; Coalition for America’s Gateways and Corridors; Department of
Defense; Environmental Protection Agency; Federal Aviation Administration; Federal
Highway Administration; Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration; Federal Railroad Administration; Inland Rivers Ports
and Terminals Association; Intermodal Association of North
America; International Air Cargo Association; Maritime Administration; National
Association of Countries; National Association of
Manufacturers; National Association of Regional Councils; National
Association of Waterfront Employers; National Industrial Transportation
League; National League of Cities; National Ports and Waterways
Institute; National Retail Federation; Research and Innovative
Technology Administration; Retail Industry Leaders
Association; Transportation Research Board — Selected Chair; U.S. Army
Corp of Engineers; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; U.S. Department of Transportation; Waterfront
Coalition; World Shipping Council
Crawford F. Jencks
Deputy Director, CRP
of The National
Academies
email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 202-334-3233
fax: 202-334-2006