OBJECTIVE

State departments of transportation (DOTs) define research implementation differently, which leads to inconsistent definitions for quantifying successful implementation and different methods used to identify challenges. Even with a broad definition of implementation and despite efforts to improve implementation of research outcomes across state DOTs, there are still significant implementation gaps relative to the number of research projects completed. Currently, we have a limited understanding of the extent research projects are implemented at state DOTs, lack enough information about why some research projects are not implemented, and lack knowledge on the steps that can be done to improve implementation of research relative to existing state DOT practices. Research is needed to understand the specific roadblocks to research implementation across the United States and the extent that state DOT research programs are impacted.

NCHRP 20-44(49) will identify barriers to implementation of transportation research projects and develop tools and methods to mitigate those barriers. Specific strategies will be developed and offered to stakeholders to improve implementation of research outcomes, and to maximize impact.

TASKS

The project will be delivered through the fulfillment of the following tasks:

1. Conduct a thorough review of existing literature detailing the state of practice for research management and highlighting stated barriers to implementation of research, through a survey of published literature, and research project case studies. 
2. Develop a stakeholder outreach plan and conduct the outreach to gather information on the barriers inhibiting research implementation, through an electronic survey and select follow-up virtual interviews to dive deeper into the experiences of promising survey respondents. 
3. Develop a summary of all barriers identified along the pathway to implementation, and methods to overcome those barriers within the implementation journey.
4. Develop and conduct up to three regional peer exchanges to bring together stakeholders to dive deeper into the Research Project Framework and the Implementation Maturity Model to gather feedback on implementation lessons learned, where strategies are most effective and where there are challenges that still need to be addressed. 
5. Prepare a conduct of research report that documents the results of the project, a primer and presentation that capture the actionable recommendations and strategies, and an implementation memorandum that informs next steps for implementing the work completed under this project.