BACKGROUND

Developed through NCHRP Project 20-123(02), AASHTO Council on Active Transportation Research Roadmap (2021) highlighted the critical need for targeted research for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Council on Active Transportation (CAT) on key concerns in active transportation safety, policy, and data development.

Recent significant changes in the transportation industry offer new challenges and opportunities, such as increased attention to safety, new legislation, funding sources, and updated guides and standards (the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), and the upcoming Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities). Furthermore, new technologies, innovative safety treatments, and micromobility solutions have introduced new complexities and possibilities. 

Research is needed to assist state departments of transportation (DOTs) to discover research gaps, set priorities, and modernize the active transportation research roadmap to better align with the evolving landscape in active transportation.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the project is to develop a modern active transportation research roadmap (hereafter referred to as the “Research Roadmap”) to identify, support, monitor, disseminate, foster, and implement research that can help state DOTs address pressing needs in active transportation and reflect current priorities and advancements in the field.

This Research Roadmap should help transportation agencies incorporate active transportation as an essential component of the transportation system. The successful outcome of the Research Roadmap will be a record of research and analysis that brings active transportation to a level of parity with other modes of transportation. Research topics will identify factors that are barriers to achieving parity for active transportation.

When the needs in this Research Roadmap are fully addressed, research results and findings will support plans, policies, funding, projects, and life-cycle maintenance of transportation networks that deliver the substantial and varied benefits of active transportation.

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

TASKS

PHASE I – Planning

Task 1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review on the progress, needs, and trends of active transportation to:

• Summarize active transportation research that has been completed or initiated since the literature review conducted for the 2021 CAT Research Roadmap.
• Identify what has been accomplished, including successes and lessons learned from developing, applying, adopting, and implementing the 2021 CAT Research Roadmap.

The literature review should include published and unpublished research conducted through the NCHRP; the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); AASHTO; other national, state, and local agencies; and international organizations. Other focuses include, but not limited to, goals from the 2018 CAT Strategic Plan, public health, human behavior, barriers to implementation, and findings from the 2023 AASHTO Safety Summit (https://dropfile.aashto.org/index.php/s/6puQqjel0X7ZdKG). Submit the literature review report to NCHRP in the form of a white paper.

Task 2. Identify research gaps that address emerging topics or extend, augment, or update previously studied topics and important older studies. The gap assessment shall be informed by:

• Results of the literature review.
• 2021-2026 AASHTO Strategic Plan.
• The Council on Active Transportation Strategic Plan.
• FY 2022-26 U.S. DOT Strategic Plan.
• Assessment of opportunities to engage with other AASHTO councils and committees in contributing on their companion roadmaps.
• Targeted outreach to AASHTO committees and councils to identify current and emerging needs.
• Identification of other relevant organizations for outreach, particularly focusing on aspects of active transportation needing more attention.
• Enhancement of crash modification factor (CMF) and safety performance function (SPF).
• Research needs related to emerging trends in active transportation.

Present the results of the research review and gap assessment in a virtual meeting with the NCHRP.

Task 3. Propose and develop prioritization criteria, informed by AASHTO and U.S. DOT strategic plans, to prioritize research needs. The proposed criteria will be reviewed and approved by the NCHRP. The approved criteria will be used to prioritize needed research in Phase II.

Task 4. Develop an annotated outline for the Research Roadmap that integrates new policies, addresses challenges, and leverages opportunities identified in previous tasks. The annotated outline shall include details to support the following research activities:

• Develop the Research Roadmap accompanied by a framework and continuity plan for monitoring and tracking relevant research, trends, and issues for CAT.
• Identify collaboration opportunities with other AASHTO committees and councils.
• Provide recommendations for implementing completed research to address priority problems and integrate research findings into practice.

Task 5. Prepare Interim Report No. 1 that documents Tasks 1 through 4, refines the Phase II work plan, presents key issues, and recommends priorities to describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase II.

PHASE II – Execution

Task 6. Execute the approved Phase II research plan. Apply the criteria to prioritize the needed research and develop a draft list of research needs, including titles and brief descriptions. The draft list will be reviewed and approved by the NCHRP.

Task 7. Develop the draft Research Roadmap, with the framework and continuity plan, to support ongoing monitoring and tracking of relevant research and emerging trends and issues. The Research Roadmap shall be user-friendly and include:

• Information on existing research for use in current and near-term CAT activities;
• Information on research in progress that should be monitored for future implementation;
• Research-related initiatives by other AASHTO councils and committees where CAT can provide meaningful support, and links between priority research needs and CAT’s strategic plan and suggested items for CAT’s annual action plans.
• A summary of the project activities and essential elements of the roadmap, preferably in graphic form.
• At least six well-defined problem statements to address high-priority research gaps identified during the project, adhering to the NCHRP problem statement template.

Task 8. Participate in one in-person AASHTO meeting to present the draft Research Roadmap to the appropriate AASHTO council or committee. Revise the draft Research Roadmap after consideration of review comments.

Task 9. Prepare a final deliverable that documents the entire research effort. At a minimum, the final deliverables must include:

• A literature review report.
• A Research Roadmap.
• A summary PowerPoint presentation.
• A conduct of the research report documenting the entire research effort.
• A stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products.”

The roadmap will be available for consideration by AASHTO CAT to guide their research activities.

STATUS: Proposals have been received in response to the RFP. The project panel will meet to select a contractor to perform the work.