Approval Process

Home Research Administration Approval Process RDEC Topic Solicitation Meeting Projects Approved Current Completed RD&T Newsletter Issues Peer Exchange Report SPR Program Annual Report FY2008 Forms Problem Statement Problem Statement Outline NEW PRODUCTS Product Submission APEL Upcoming Events Links Contacts		Approval Process
		Research topics are solicited for the Research and Development Executive Committee's (RDEC) consideration for funding as studies in the SPR Research Program. The primary focus of the solicitation process is to identify research needs of SCDOT that are used in the development of the work program as well as topics for possible submission to NCHRP, TCRP, or other national programs. The SCDOT host a Research Workshop every other year. The objectives of the Workshop are 1) to increase awareness and understanding of the Department's research program among all its customers; 2) to identify needs in the Department that can be addressed by research; 3)to serve as the primary topic solicitation for the RDEC’s consideration for funding as studies in the SPR Research Program for the next cycle. Prior to the Workshop, members of the Research staff meet with Department Directors and Division Heads to identify appropriate SCDOT personnel to participate to ensure all areas of the Department are included. They also identify appropriate industry representatives and other government representatives which should be included in this process. Representatives from in-state universities which have conducted research for the SCDOT in the past or have expressed an interest in conducting research are also invited to participate. The workshop begins with a plenary session of all participants during which the SCDOT provides an overview of its research program and discusses the purpose of the workshop. Each workshop participant then attends one of seven breakout sessions, each on a different subject area of potential research interest for the SCDOT. The seven breakout groups are:
		- Construction/Materials - Maintenance/Bridge Maintenance - Traffic/Safety - Design - Road/Bridge
		- Project Development/Planning - Business Operations - Hydrology
		A moderator from the SCDOT Office of Materials and Research is assigned to each breakout group. Each moderator decides how he or she will conduct the individual breakout sessions. However, the general format for each breakout group is to begin by brainstorming potential research topics. The topics are then discussed to ensure that all participants understand what is intended by the proposed topic. Then, one or more voting techniques are used to identify and prioritize the most important topics. A SCDOT "Champion" is assigned to each high priority topic. After the workshop, each "Champion" is requested to complete a problem statement form (a copy of the form is attached) and submit it to the Materials and Research Engineer. The Research Staff then 1) reviews all problem statements for completeness & clarity, 2) conducts a brief literature search on the topics, and 3) prepares a ballot and forwards it to RDEC members along with the problem statement forms, and the literature search results. The RDEC members rank the topics on a scale of 0-5 (0 no need, 5 great need). Ballots are returned to the Materials and Research Engineer. The Research Staff then tallies the ballots and prepares a spreadsheet listing the rank of the topics. A meeting of the RDEC is then scheduled to develop a final prioritized list of projects. The final list is voted on by the Committee and forwarded to the Secretary of Transportation for approval. Topics approved for funding are then initiated in a prioritized order as determined by the RDEC over the next two years. In special cases, projects can also be initiated between Workshops by a vote of the RDEC and final approval by the Secretary of Transportation.

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