Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices
A vast storehouse of information exists on nearly every subject of concern to the transit industry. Much of this information has resulted from both research and the successful application of solutions to the problems faced by practitioners in their daily work. Because previously there has been no systematic means for compiling such useful information and making it available to the entire transit community, the TOPS Committee, in 1992, authorized the Transportation Research Board to undertake a series of studies to search out and synthesize useful knowledge from all available sources and to prepare reports on current practices in the subject areas of concern. This synthesis series reports on various practices, making specific recommendations where appropriate but without the detailed directions usually found in handbooks or design manuals. Nonetheless, these documents can serve similar purposes, for each is a compendium of the best knowledge available on measures found to be successful in resolving specific problems. The extent to which these reports are useful will be tempered by the user's knowledge and experience in the particular problem area. To develop these syntheses in a comprehensive manner and to ensure inclusion of significant knowledge, the Transportation Research Board analyzes available information assembled from numerous sources including a large number of transit agencies. A topic panel of experts in the subject area is established to guide the researchers in organizing and evaluating the data collected on each topic and to review the synthesis report. A topic consultant is selected by the panel to perform the research, assemble the information, and write the report. The consultant may be an individual or a firm, selected by the topic panel. The TRB synthesis staff officers serve as the principal investigators, guiding the preparation of the work plan, overseeing the progress of the research and report writing, providing assistance to the consultant in obtaining information, supervising the review and comments on the draft reports, and preparing and editing the final manuscript for publication. For each topic, the project objectives are to (1) locate and assemble documented information; (2) learn what practice has been used for solving or alleviating the problems; (3) identify all ongoing research; (4) learn what problems remain largely unsolved; and (5) organize, evaluate, and document the useful information that is acquired. Each synthesis is an immediately useful document that records practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation. As the processes of advancement continue, new knowledge can be expected to be added to that which is now at hand.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Ten syntheses are currently in progress; 174 have been published.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $385000
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Contract Numbers:
Project J-07
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Sponsor Organizations:
Transit Cooperative Research Program
Transportation Research Board
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001Federal Transit Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Project Managers:
Schoby, Jamaal
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Performing Organizations:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 - Start Date: 19921101
- Expected Completion Date: 0
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Best practices; Information management; Literature reviews; Public transit; Research; State of the practice
- Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Public Transportation; Research;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01667904
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
- Contract Numbers: Project J-07
- Files: TRB, RIP
- Created Date: May 1 2018 10:14AM