ATTENTION PROPOSERS: A request for proposals for NCHRP Project 20-130 was originally released on December 26, 2023; no award was made. The purpose of this Research Project Statement is to initiate a new competition for this project. This Research Project Statement has been modified from the original statement: revisions were made to the Background, Objective, and Tasks. This solicitation is open to all proposers, including any agencies that responded to the earlier Research Project Statement. 

BACKGROUND

NCHRP Report 600: Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems (HFG) serves as a reference to help transportation practitioners in the areas of safety, design, and operation. The HFG provides a greater understanding of road users’ capabilities and limitations and how these issues could be incorporated into transportation agencies' decision-making processes. A fourth edition of the HFG is currently under development as part of NCHRP Project 22-46, "Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems, Proposed 4th Edition." This new edition seeks to further document the best-available research and practices regarding human factors and road user interactions in road safety analyses and design to optimize data-driven safety analysis and decision-making.

Despite significant efforts to develop and support the use of the HFG, many practitioners are still unfamiliar with its benefits for improving the safety, design, and operation of transportation systems. As the transportation community continues to work toward a data-driven approach to zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries, it is necessary to promote widespread use and to better understand the benefits of the HFG. Understanding how road users interact with the roadway environment can provide significant insights to contribute to traffic safety and the overall reduction of fatalities and serious injuries. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that self-enforcing/self-explaining roads need to be created within the Safe System Approach (SSA). To achieve this goal, greater use and integration of the vital human factor knowledge in the HFG will be required.

Research is needed to bridge the gap by developing an implementation plan and supporting documents to increase the use of the HFG in transportation projects, programs, and practices. The research should identify additional needs for the successful integration of the HFG into the decision-making processes of transportation agencies.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop an implementation plan for transportation practitioners to support the incorporation of the HFG into projects, programs, practices, and decision-making processes within transportation agencies.

The implementation plan shall include:

• An application handbook focusing on safety, design, and operation practices, policies, and programs for integrating the HFG into the day-to-day responsibilities of departments of transportation (DOTs). The application handbook shall include references, real-world case studies, best practices, recommendations, and additional material providing resource needs, benefits, challenges, and other factors to consider when implementing the HFG, and
• A communication and outreach plan focusing on how to promote the benefits of the HFG to potential audiences, including peers, upper management, other stakeholders, and the general public.

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS

Task descriptions are intended to provide a framework for conducting the research. The NCHRP is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the research objective.

PHASE I — Planning

Task 1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review to document any use of the HFG within transportation projects, programs, and practices at international, national, state, and local levels. The review shall include published and unpublished research conducted through the NCHRP; the Federal Highway Administration; other national, state, and local agencies; and international organizations. It is expected that the following key aspects will be investigated during the comprehensive literature review:

• The experiences and challenges practitioners have encountered in adopting the HFG and identifying their level of familiarity with the HFG.
• The opportunities that have been identified that could help transportation agencies integrate the HFG more effectively.
• The successful experiences that transportation agencies have had in adopting the HFG that may be considered as best practices.

Task 2. Based on the results from Task 1, identify HFG stakeholders and target audiences. The research team shall at least:

• Based on their roles and responsibilities, identify stakeholders and target audiences who use the HFG.
• Consider the different needs and requirements for a transportation agency to implement human factors across multiple transportation disciplines—including safety, design, and operation—that can facilitate the integration of the HFG into transportation projects, programs, and practices.

Task 3a. Research the existing implementations, experiences, and/or gaps in adoptions of the HFG among the stakeholders identified in Task 2. This task should include lessons learned and communications activities related to other safety or transportation tools or programs (e.g., SSA, Complete Streets, and any data-driven safety analyses). Investigate the NCHRP Active Implementation approach and frameworks to support the implementation of this project (see Special Note J). The research team shall develop and outline comprehensive strategies for identifying gaps and bridging activities that extend beyond existing resources and involve a range of end users, including those with no prior exposure to the HFG.

Task 3b. Request feedback from the stakeholders selected in Task 2 on the comprehensive strategies and how to successfully incorporate the HFG into transportation projects, programs, and practices. For stakeholders without previous experience with the HFG, inquire about the supplementary materials or resources they would find beneficial in beginning to use the HFG.

Task 4. Synthesize the results of Tasks 1 through 3 to identify the knowledge gaps. These gaps shall be addressed in the final product or the recommended future research as the budget permits. 

Task 5. Based on the gaps identified in Task 4, the research team shall develop a research methodology to achieve the research objective to be executed in Phase II. At the minimum, it shall:

• Develop resources across multiple transportation disciplines—including safety, design, and operation—that can facilitate the integration of the HFG into transportation projects, programs, and practices. This includes areas such as SSA, Complete Streets, geometric design, and data-driven safety analysis projects;
• Develop communication materials (e.g., pamphlets, flyers, presentations, multimedia, interactive tools) that will be developed via this project to support the use of the HFG in transportation projects, programs, and practices;
• Identify American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards and guidelines (e.g., Highway Safety Manual, A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets) that could be impacted by NCHRP Project 22-46 and this research. Develop and apply strategies for incorporating the HFG approach into these standards and guidelines to enact and maximize systemic changes; and
• Develop a roadmap to support HFG implementation.

Task 6. Prepare Interim Report No.1 that documents Tasks 1 through 5 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. The updated work plan must describe the tasks and rationale for the work proposed for Phase II.

Note: Following a 1-month review of Interim Report No.1 by the NCHRP, the research team will be required to meet virtually with the NCHRP project panel to discuss the interim report. This report shall be prepared no later than 6 months after the project initiation. Work on Phase II of the project will not begin until authorized by the NCHRP.

The Phase I budget shall be limited to $100,000.

PHASE II — Execution

Task 7. Execute the methodology developed in Task 5 and approved in Interim Report No. 1. Develop the resources, materials, draft language for AASHTO consideration, and roadmap as described.

Task 8. Based on the resources developed in Task 7, prepare the draft implementation plan. The draft implementation plan shall be submitted to the NCHRP 7 months before the contract end date.

Task 9a. Identify at least 15 representatives from state, regional, tribal, and local DOTs and other appropriate practitioners and stakeholders. This group should include individuals who may not be familiar with the HFG or have not yet used them but are interested in implementing them. Prepare workshop materials, including the agenda, presentation, invitation letters, and travel memo, to facilitate the invitational travel. Submit workshop materials and the proposed attendee list to the NCHRP for review and approval.

Task 9b. Conduct a workshop with the approved representatives and collect feedback on the draft implementation plan. Revise the draft implementation plan, taking into account feedback gathered during the workshop. Provide travel reimbursement to all invitational travelers after the workshop.

Note: The costs for the workshop, including invitational travel for at least 15 attendees (not including members of the research team), shall be included in the detailed budget for the research. For the purpose of estimating these costs, assume that the workshop will be held at a TRB facility (Keck Center in Washington, DC, or the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA). NCHRP will cover costs associated with NCHRP panel member travel. Catering services for all participants, including panel members, should be included in the detailed budget for the research.

Task 10. Identify additional resources needed to support HFG implementation to be developed under future efforts based on the findings from Task 9b.

Task 11. Prepare the final deliverables, which at a minimum shall include:

• A research report that documents the entire research effort;
• An implementation plan that includes an application handbook and a communication and outreach plan to support incorporating the HFG into transportation projects, programs, and practices;
• Draft language for AASHTO consideration; and
• A stand-alone technical memorandum with the additional resources needed to support HFG implementation. 

Note: Following receipt of the draft final deliverables, the remaining 3 months shall be for NCHRP review and comment and for research agency preparation of the final deliverables.

SPECIAL NOTES

A. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs were revised in May 2023. Please take note of the new and revised text which is highlighted in yellow.

B. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file with a maximum file size of 10 MB. The PDF must be formatted for standard 8 ½” X 11” paper, and the entire proposal must not exceed 60 pages (according to the page count displayed in the PDF). Proposals that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. For other requirements, refer to chapter V of the instructions.

C. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs have been modified to include a revised policy and instructions for disclosing Investigator Conflict of Interest. For more information, refer to chapter IV of the instructions. A detailed definition and examples can be found in the CRP Conflict of Interest Policy for Contractors. The proposer recommended by the project panel will be required to submit an Investigator Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Form as a prerequisite for contract negotiations.

D. Proposals will be rejected if any of the proposed research team members work for organizations represented on the project panel. The panel roster for this project can be found at https://www.mytrb.org/OnlineDirectory/Committee/Details/6942. Proposers may not contact panel members directly; this roster is provided solely for the purpose of avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

E. Proprietary Products - If any proprietary products are to be used or tested in the project, please refer to Item 6 in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals.

F. Proposals are evaluated by the NCHRP staff and project panels consisting of individuals collectively knowledgeable in the problem area. The project panel will recommend their first choice proposal considering the following factors: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experiment design; (3) the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; (4) the plan for ensuring application of results; (5) how the proposer approaches inclusion and diversity in the composition of their team and research approach, including participation by certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; and, if relevant, (6) the adequacy of the facilities. A recommendation by the project panel is not a guarantee of a contract. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS - the contracting authority for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) will conduct an internal due diligence review and risk assessment of the panel’s recommended proposal before contract negotiations continue.

Note: The proposer's approach to inclusion and diversity as well as participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises should be incorporated in Item 11 of the proposal.

G. Copyrights - All data, written materials, computer software, graphic and photographic images, and other information prepared under the contract and the copyrights therein shall be owned by the National Academy of Sciences. The contractor and subcontractors will be able to publish this material for non-commercial purposes, for internal use, or to further academic research or studies with permission from TRB Cooperative Research Programs. The contractor and subcontractors will not be allowed to sell the project material without prior approval by the National Academy of Sciences. By signing a contract with the National Academy of Sciences, contractors accept legal responsibility for any copyright infringement that may exist in work done for TRB. Contractors are therefore responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for use of copyrighted material in TRB's Cooperative Research Programs publications. For guidance on TRB's policies on using copyrighted material please consult Section 5.4, "Use of Copyrighted Material," in the Procedural Manual for Contractors.

H. The text of the final deliverable is expected to be publication ready when it is submitted. It is strongly recommended that the research team include the expertise of a technical editor as early in the project timeline as possible. See Appendix F of the Procedural Manual for Contractors Conducting Research in the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Program for technical editing standards expected in final deliverables.

I. Proposals should include a task-by-task breakdown of labor hours for each staff member as shown in Figure 4 in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals. Proposals also should include a breakdown of all costs (e.g., wages, indirect costs, travel, materials, and total) for each task using Figures 5 and 6 in the brochure. Please note that TRB Cooperative Research Program subawards (selected proposers are considered subawards to the National Academy of Sciences, the parent organization of TRB) must comply with 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. These requirements include a provision that proposers without a "federally" Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (NICRA) shall be subject to a maximum allowable indirect rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs. Modified Total Direct Costs include all salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each lower tier subaward and subcontract. Modified Total Direct Costs exclude equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each lower tier subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000.

J. Refer to the NCHRP Active Implementation: Moving Research into Practice, available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP_ActiveImplementation.pdf for additional information on implementing the research products.

K. If the team proposes a Principal Investigator who is not an employee of the Prime Contractor, or if the Prime Contractor is proposed to conduct less than 50% of the total effort (by time or budget), then section five of the proposal should include: (1) a justification of why this approach is appropriate, and (2) a description of how the Prime Contractor will ensure adequate communication and coordination with their Subcontractors throughout the project.

L. All budget information should be suitable for printing on 8½″ x 11″ paper. If a budget page cannot fit on a single 8½″ x 11″ page, it should be split over multiple pages. Proposers must use the Excel templates provided in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs.

M. The National Academies have an ethical and legal obligation to provide proper attribution whenever material from other sources is included in its reports, online postings, and other publications and products. TRB will review all Cooperative Research Programs draft final deliverables using the software iThenticate for potential plagiarism. If plagiarized text appears in the draft final deliverables, the research team will be required to make revisions and the opportunity to submit future proposals may be affected.