Task 137, FY 2001, "Support for National Research & Technology (R & T) Partnership", (Robert Spicher). The National Highway R&T Partnership Forum was initiated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The purpose was to provide the opportunity for the entire highway community to be engaged in the identification of research and technology (R&T) development needs. Hundreds of individuals and more than 160 organizations participated in the initiative, which was structured into five working groups: 1) Safety; 2) Infrastructure Renewal; 3) Operations and Mobility; 4) Policy Analysis, Planning, and Systems Monitoring; and 5) Environment and Planning. A report on R&T needs was produced by each working group.

The funds allocated for Project 20-7, Task 137 were used to integrate the five Working Group reports into a single document. The document also incorporates the findings and recommendations from recent TRB workshops on research needs in transportation planning. The final report was published in April 2002. (NCHRP Staff: C. J. Hedges)