NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
Research Project Description
Center Identification Number: 21-17-LO-350-10
Project Title: The National TDM and Telework
Clearinghouse
Principal Investigators:
Philip L. Winters, TDM
Program Director
813-974-9811
E-mail: winters@cutr.eng.usf.edu
Institution:
Center for Urban Transportation Research
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
I. Project Objective
To provide a national one-stop shop for information and technical
assistance on transportation demand management (TDM) techniques, including
telework.
II. Project Abstract
The need for a Clearinghouse for transportation demand management (TDM)
and technology applications such as telecommuting was identified at an
invitation-only Congestion Management Conference held in Irvine,
California in June 1997 hosted by the Transportation Research Board and
U.S. Department of Transportation. Numerous breakout groups recommended
the development and dissemination of information, data, standard but
user-friendly methodologies, and technical assistance of multimodal
approaches to congestion problems. In November 1997, the attendees to the
USDOT/TRB International Workshop on Planning Regional Telecommuting
Programs voiced similar needs. Most of the breakout groups asked for case
studies on successful telecommuting programs, a national database on
existing telecommuting programs, and "on demand" experts and
peer-to-peer networks. This project will focus on developing and
disseminating information in a variety of formats to the transportation
community on the issues of TDM and telework. It will also include efforts
to help train transportation professionals to generate new ideas and
evaluate these alternatives in parallel.
III. Task Descriptions
Task 1 Develop and Maintain Resource Center
- Employ intelligent agents to regularly search resources such as
TRIS, WEB-LUIS, etc. for potential articles, external documents,
legislation, and/or web sites for all topic areas of interest
- Locate and collect materials and professional indexing and
cataloging of these materials
Produce and update subject area bibliographies
- Develop a depository of "raw" data from TDM and telework
programs to share results, provide a means for comparison, and allow
students and other researchers to develop/validate new models
Task 2 Technology Transfer
- Develop an maintain listservs for key customer groups (Transp-tdm
(existing)) for the TDM community and Telework (to be developed) for
public sector issues regarding telework programs
- Develop and maintain a website with links to:
People Places - Events regarding TDM and teleworking
Bibliographies
Relevant legislation and federal research programs
Relevant journals and papers; other full-text documents
Relevant research needs and projects in progress
Virtual Book Shelf of select publication and other materials in
the Clearinghouse
Searchable Databases
- Promote the Clearinghouse to customers at regional and national
conferences, especially with formal partners
- Conduct TDM and telework workshop in conjunction with the
Transportation Research Board and other sponsors/partners
Task 3 Technical Assistance
- Provide "on demand" access to experts and resources for
current and future transportation professionals and employers on TDM
and telework
- Provide research assistance to graduate students
- Provide bulletins or updates (with the assistance of key partners)
on funding opportunities, training programs, conferences, and relevant
legislation at the national, state, and local levels regarding TDM and
telework
- Provide creative thinking and parallel thinking training and
assistance to help agencies solve own problems
IV. Project Schedule, Milestones
Project Start Date: November 1, 1999
Task/Month |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Task 1 |
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Task 2 |
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Task 3 |
X |
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Progress Reports |
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Annual Report |
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V. Total Project Budget
The National TDM and Telework Clearinghouse
|
Budget Categories |
Federal Share |
Institute Director Salary |
|
Faculty Salaries |
$42,882 |
Administrative Staff Salaries |
|
Other Staff Salaries |
|
Graduate Student Salaries |
$9,243 |
Undergraduate Salaries |
|
Staff Benefits |
$14,125 |
Total Salaries and Benefits |
$66,250 |
Permanent Equipment |
$1,500 |
Expendable Equipment and Supplies |
$1,000 |
Domestic Travel |
$1,250 |
Foreign Travel |
|
Computer Costs |
|
Other Costs |
|
Total Direct Costs |
$70,000 |
Indirect Costs |
$31,500 |
TOTAL COSTS |
$101,500 |
Notes: This budget does not reflect any state
participation. The project team will include faculty, students, and secretarial
and other support staff who will work directly on the project and
whose costs are reflected in the direct costs of the project as listed
above.
VI. Student Involvement
Graduate students will be used in the collection, synthesis of
information, website development and technical assistance
fulfillment.
VII. Relationship to Other Research Projects
The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the
University of South Florida houses the FDOT sponsored TDM
Clearinghouse and TDM Training training program as well as the
Maintenance Training Program, the Florida Vehicle Procurement
Program, and the Statewide Transit On-Site Technical Assistance
Program. Florida State Universitys Marketing Institute operates
the National Promotional Materials Clearinghouse. The National TDM
and Telework Clearinghouse will be closely coordinated with these
programs to avoid any duplication or fragmentation of effort and to
ensure that the most current and accurate information will be
disseminated.
VIII. Technology Transfer Activities/Peer Review
This is a technical assistance program that is structured to
increase the knowledge of TDM professionals and their governing
bodies, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and local municipalities
in TDM and telework related subject areas. Any documentation that is
prepared in response to a request for technical assistance will be
made available through independently scheduled training sessions or
conferences and will also be made available upon request. In addition,
CUTR staff will participate in additional training sessions, as
requested, during the Association for Commuter Transportation annual
conference, Transportation Research Board annual or mid-year
conferences, the International Telework Association annual conference,
and other transportation conferences or workshops.
Requests for information and technical assistance will be monitored
to identify those areas frequently discussed during technical
assistance forums. These areas may later be the subjects of
information made available through the Clearinghouse (e.g.,
bibliographies, best practices, etc.) in publication or training
forms.
Peer reviews will be conducted on a continual basis with the
Association for Commuter Transportation and the International Telework
Association and Council in an effort to identify subject areas where
technical assistance is most needed and areas for improvement.
IX. Potential Benefits of the Project
TDM and telework professional will have access to the latest
information within TDM and telework related subject areas that will
assist them in developing, improving and/or expanding TDM and
telework services within their communities.
X. TRB Keywords
Transportation demand management, Telecommuting,
Telework
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