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

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 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.

Note: Following a 1-month review of the Interim Report by the NCHRP, the research team will be required to meet with the NCHRP project panel in person to discuss the interim report. Work on Phase II of the project will not begin until authorized by the NCHRP.

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.” See Special Note J for additional information.

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

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

The proposal should build in appropriate checkpoints with the NCHRP project panel including, at a minimum, (1) a kick-off web-enabled meeting to be held within 6 weeks of the contract’s execution date; and (2) at least two additional web-enabled teleconferences tied to NCHRP review and approval of any other interim deliverables as deemed appropriate. 

For budgeting purposes, the proposer shall plan on having one in-person meeting in Washington, DC, with the panel. Costs for the in-person meeting venue and travel costs for NCHRP panel members to attend the meeting will be paid separately by NCHRP. The proposed budget should also include registration fees and travel costs for project team members to attend one AASHTO committee meeting.

SPECIAL NOTES

A. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs were revised in May 2024. 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/7041. 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. The required technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” should (a) provide recommendations on how to best put the research findings/products into practice; (b) identify possible institutions that might take leadership in applying the research findings/products; (c) identify issues affecting potential implementation of the findings/products and recommend possible actions to address these issues; and (d) recommend methods of identifying and measuring the impacts associated with implementation of the findings/products. Implementation of these recommendations is not part of the research project and, if warranted, details of these actions will be developed and implemented in future efforts.

The research team will be expected to provide input to an implementation team consisting of panel members, AASHTO committee members, the NCHRP Implementation Coordinator, and others in order to meet the goals of NCHRP Active Implementation: Moving Research into Practice, available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP_ActiveImplementation.pdf

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 deliverable, the research team will be required to make revisions and the opportunity to submit future proposals may be affected.