The National Center for Transit Research (NCTR) is preparing for its 12th year as a Tier I University Transportation Center (UTC). In our first 11 years, we have completed 114 research projects funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation. The results of these projects have provided valuable information to help better understand travel markets, and enhance the capabilities of public transit agencies and commuter assistance programs throughout Florida and the nation. All final reports are available for downloading by going to http://www.nctr.usf.edu/publications.htm.

Once again, we are seeking research needs/problem statements for research projects for next year’s cycle of funding beginning in July 2010. NCTR receives approximately $1 million a year from the USDOT to conduct research, prepare students to become the next generation of transportation professionals, broadly disseminate the results of our research, and manage electronic communication linkages among thousands of transportation professionals and students. Over the years our federal grant has been generously matched by the Florida Department of Transportation. We anticipate approximately 9 projects will be selected this year.

The theme of NCTR is to make public transportation and alternative forms of transportation, including managed lanes, safe, effective, efficient, desirable, and secure. Our clear focus is to help improve the performance and enhance the relevance of such forms of transportation. For more information, please view the NCTR Strategic Plan that further describes our focus and directions.

Each year we try to suggest themes and topics to guide you in the development of your research needs or problem statements.

USDOT Secretary Raymond LaHood has stated that President Obama’s national priorities for transportation are:

• Safety
• Economic development and investment
• Sustainability in terms of climate change and energy
• Livability by preserving and enhancing the unique characteristics of every community

NCTR is interested in how those themes are applied to public transportation, alternative forms of transportation, and managed lanes. You are also encouraged to go to TRB’s new Research Needs Statements (RNS) website http://rns.trb.org/home.asp  which serves as the repository of ideas developed by TRB committees. This could be a good source of ideas for the next round of NCTR projects assuming they have relevance in the state of Florida as well.

Please use the form below to submit your idea and a project description of no more than 250 words. The deadline for receipt of your proposals is March 15, 2010.

The time frame is relatively short, so we encourage you to act on this quickly. We look forward to considering your ideas.

Please note that most of the research is conducted by NCTR researchers; this is not an opportunity to obtain funding for your program.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 813-974-9847, or via email at volinski@cutr.usf.edu.

Thank you for participating in our process!

Sincerely,

Joel Volinski
Director, NCTR

Submittals are due by March 15, 2010.

Joel Volinski, Director, National Center for Transit Research
Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida
4202 Fowler Avenue, CUT100, Tampa, FL 33620-5375

Phone: (813) 974-9847, Fax: (813) 974-5168, E-mail: volinski@cutr.usf.edu

Thank you for your time.

I. Problem Title The title should be no more then ten words.

II. Research Need/Problem Statement In no more than 250 words, please provide a general description of the problem or need.

III. Previous Research in no more than 100 words please note prior research in this area and differentiate this proposal from that research

IV. Process Used to Develop the Problem Statement State whether this problem statement is the product of an individual, a formal committee or another group. Please specifically name the group or committee.