Research Section

The Research Section supports NDOT’s vision, mission, and goals through three unique programs: the Research, Development, and Technology Transfer program; Product Evaluation; and the Research Library.

The Research program identifies and develops new technical knowledge and assists with implementation into common practice to address any relevant problem.

Product Evaluation is conducted to maintain a list of acceptable products, via the qualified product list (or QPL), and coordinate the evaluation of innovative products that may be used by the Department and its contractors.

The Research Library catalogs and shares reference materials, coordinates the loan of materials from other libraries, and can assist with reviews and searches for specific transportation-related information.

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Nevada DOT Solicitation for Research Proposals for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2014

Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is soliciting research proposals addressing the problem statements listed in the table below for federal fiscal year 2014 (covering October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014). The research projects will be developed using the FHWA’s State Planning and Research (SPR) program funds. A summary description of the SPR Program is available at the FHWA SPR Website http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/partnership/spr/. Proposal Submittals for FFY 2014 will be accepted through COB on June 3, 2013.

NDOT Research Advisory Committee met and selected the following problem statements. Please note that any person or entity with expertise and interest in the following problem statements is encouraged to submit a full proposal either on their own or in partnership with others including University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

NDOT Full Proposal Guidelines outlines the requirements for the research proposals to be submitted. Proposals should follow the attached guidelines (modified from last year).

One or more project(s) may or may not result from this solicitation
PS#	Problem Statement Title
14-01	Streamlining hydrologic prediction processes using new and more accurate techniques and methods
14-07	Calibration of Resistance Factors for LRFD Design of Axially Loaded Drilled Shafts in Las Vegas Valley
14-08	Mechanistic-Based Pavement Damage and Associated Cost from Oversize and Overweight Vehicles in Nevada
14-10	Evaluation of the Benefits of Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) on NDOT Category-3 Roadways
14-29	Traffic prediction and responses through data mining and data stream processing.
14-38	Investigating the Decision-Making Process Behind Impaired Driving
14-42	Evaluation of New Innovations in Rubber Modified Asphalt Binders and Rubberized Asphalt Mixes for Nevada DOT
14-73	Comparing the Direct Costs and Infrastructure Implications of Anti-icing Strategies
14-76	Economic assessment of the ability of a “Land Ferry” system to alleviate increasing costs of maintaining the I-80 Transportation Corridor, Fernley to Wells

You are strongly encouraged to work directly with the NDOT Champions identified in the corresponding problem statements to develop research proposals. NDOT Research Section can assist you in contacting NDOT champions.

Although e-mail transmissions are preferred, faxes (775-888-7203) and hardcopies are acceptable; you can submit electronic copies of your proposals to mkumar@dot.state.nv.us or mail hardcopies to:

Nevada Department of Transportation
Research Section
Attn: Manju Kumar
1263 S. Stewart Street
Carson City, NV 89712

If you are interested in submitting a research proposal for one of the problem statements listed above and have questions or just want to know more about NDOT research program, please feel free to contact NDOT Research as below:

Research Chief: Ken Chambers, Phone: (775) 888–7220, Email: kchambers@dot.state.nv.us
Research Coordinator: Manju Kumar, Phone: (775) 888–7803, Email: mkumar@dot.state.nv.us

Thank you in advance for your interest in participating in NDOT’s research program and please do not hesitate to forward this solicitation to others who may be interested in the above research topics.

Research

Yearly proposals are selected, reviewed and prioritized. When these projects conclude, a research report is generated describing the scope of the project, outcome(s), and recommendation(s). Research reports can be found here.

The research program identifies research needs through solicitation of research problem statements in October of each year. This provides department personnel with an opportunity to explain their needs and allows the academic researchers to submit research ideas in their field of expertise. An NDOT division or district must endorse a problem statement originating from outside the department. Once problem statements are approved, the statement is submitted to the Research Division to be screened by research staff to determine if the problem statements are consistent with research goals. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) then prioritizes the research statements.

In March of each year, the Research Division issues reque NDOTResearchProjectSelection sts for proposals for the highest-ranked problem statements. The Research Division reviews the proposals for completeness and submits their recommendations to the RAC for prioritization. Setting priorities for the research proposals through the solicitation process allows the Research Division to develop a work program that is financially constrained and balanced against ongoing and recent research projects. After RAC meets, it recommends the list to the Research Management Committee (RMC).

In July the RMC selects the research proposals for funding. The proposals are included in the Annual Research Development and Technology (RD&T) work program. This program is submitted to the FHWA office for program approval.

For the approved research proposals, the Research Division negotiates a final scope of work and budget in August. The Research Division then drafts an agreement with a university or consultant. Research may be initiated only after the agreement is fully executed, which is generally the first part of January.

Technical panels are established for each research project that provides expert advice and direction to the Principal Investigator. Research is conducted with implementation in mind and its progress is documented in quarterly progress reports. Final reports are due by the project termination date. The implementation plan is approved by the appropriate NDOT division head or district engineer and submitted to the RMC for concurrence.

The 2003 Research Manualdescribes the organizational structures for research, processes, and procedures to develop, manage, and implement research and to administer product evaluation.

Research is the systematic study to establish facts on a specific topic and/or field. The crux of the effort is in the application of research results. In research, technology transfer goes beyond using the results of the departmentally-funded research to improve the department’s operations, but to share the results with the transportation community at large. The research staff disseminates the research reports to other agencies as well as affected divisions and districts within NDOT.

Product Evaluation Program

The Product Evaluation Program was designed to serve as a clearinghouse for the evaluation and approval of products for use on the Nevada Department of Transportation’s (NDOT) construction and maintenance projects. The program was developed to ensure quality, durability, and because of the increased number of products being presented to NDOT for use. The Product Evaluation Program coordinates with sections, divisions, and districts within NDOT to ensure that all facets of the evaluation process are complete. In addition, the manufacturers and/or vendors have a formal, written process that ensures the products are evaluated fairly and consistently as their competitors.