BACKGROUND

Several National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) research publications identified best practices and strategies to communicate research results, and to engage with stakeholders, fellow researchers, and the general public. These include research publications such as NCHRP Synthesis 280: Seven Keys to Building a Robust Research Program, NCHRP Report 610: Communicating the Value of Transportation Research, NCHRP Synthesis 522: Managing State Transportation Research Programs, and NCHRP Synthesis 461: Accelerating Implementation of Transportation Research Results. The NCHRP research showed that it is generally a combination of approaches and strategies that foster success, and speed the implementation of research results and realization of research benefits. The research also noted that successful communication and marketing efforts link researchers and research results with their intended audience by strengthening the information flow throughout the research process.

THE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT

Working with the nine member states of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Region 3, NCHRP 20-44(28) developed technology transfer materials, processes, and procedures to assist state research managers in developing marketing efforts appropriate for a state DOT research program.

RESOURCES

The Final Project Report documents efforts of the states to coordinate in the widespread sharing of innovative processes, materials and products resulting from their research projects. In addition to interim deliverables appended to the final report, three items are presented as standalone guidance documents:

• Guide for Implementing Technology Transfer is a user-friendly resource developed to document the most impactful and cost-effective peer-to-peer technology transfer opportunities and provides step-by-step guidance for maximizing each strategy.
• Dissemination Strategies for Five Research Projects illustrates in detail how these dissemination strategies can be developed and used.
• How-To Guide for Creating Project-Focused Videos details best practices and considerations for producing high-impact videos that support technology transfer.

Several videos are referenced in the materials above. These are linked here.

·        Commercial Production of Non-Proprietary Ultra High Performance Concrete, conducted by Michigan Department of Transportation

o   Video Brief

o   Webinar

o   Workshop Day 1 and Workshop Day 2

·        Streamlining Implementation of Sustainable Channel Maintenance Practices, conducted by Ohio Department of Transportation

o   Video Brief

o   Webinar

·        Holding Strategies for Low Volume State Routes: Phase I & Phase II, conducted by Iowa Department of Transportation

o   Video Brief

·        Highway Safety Manual Training, conducted by Missouri Department of Transportation

o   Video Brief