US Domestic Scan Program -- Business Plan. Planning and Executing the NCHRP U.S. Domestic Scan Program

The NCHRP U.S. Domestic Scan Program accelerates innovation among state departments of transportation (DOTs) by encouraging the spread of new ideas and effective technology transfers among and within agencies. Initiated in 2007 as NCHRP Project 20-68, the program helps DOT staff learn from peers about innovative practices beneficial to other agencies. Participants are expected to apply insights gained within their own agencies and present what they have learned to others, further disseminating new practices. Each scan is conducted by a small team of knowledgeable professionals—typically state transportation agency staff supported by a subject-matter expert (SME)—who exchange information with peers and develop a report on leading practices. Since the program’s inception, 54 scans have been completed or are ongoing. Completed scan team reports are available on the project web page (https://www.trb.org/NCHRP/USDomesticScanProgram.aspx). The scan process, from topic selection to report completion, takes approximately 3 years. The program includes three types of scans. Type 1 scans involve visits by a team of eight to 10 participants to host sites with innovative practices. Each scan might require one or two trips of about 1 week. Type 2 scans bring representatives from innovator agencies to central locations to meet with the scan team, reducing travel time. Type 3 scans supplement a desk scan with a symposium or workshop, bringing together practitioner innovators and the scan team to discuss relevant experiences. The NCHRP Project 20-68 panel specifies the appropriate scan type for each topic. A scan entails four key steps: (1) identifying useful innovations, (2) assessing the experience of early adopters to evaluate potential benefits and obstacles, (3) documenting the results to share with others, and (4) progressive diffusion of information through dissemination activities tailored for each scan, which can accelerate innovation at DOTs and may include support for scan participants to advise peers on adopting new ideas. Scan team participants are identified by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in cooperation with NCHRP’s scan contractor. Each scan team, supported by the contractor, produces a report and other materials to disseminate scan results. The contractor engages an SME to prepare a “desk scan” that surveys where innovative practices are being applied and provides a basis for planning the scan team’s activities. The SME typically prepares draft and scan reports using materials from scan team members. The contractor organizes and executes all scan activities, monitors the program’s accomplishments, and reports periodically on its status and plans. Scan team members are expected to encourage dissemination and adoption of good ideas, with contractor support, even after the scan report is completed. The objective of this project is to plan and manage the execution of scans under the NCHRP U.S. Domestic Scan Program. Achieving this requires understanding various scan topics, how state transportation agencies develop and adopt advances in practice, the practical challenges of forming and supporting scan teams, preparing high-quality reports and documentation, and supporting participants in disseminating what they have learned.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Proposed
  • Funding: $2550000
  • Contract Numbers:

    Project 20-68E

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    National Cooperative Highway Research Program

    Transportation Research Board
    500 Fifth Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20001

    American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

    444 North Capitol Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20001

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Project Managers:

    Mohan, Sid

  • Start Date: 20241002
  • Expected Completion Date: 0
  • Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01925963
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
  • Contract Numbers: Project 20-68E
  • Files: TRB, RIP
  • Created Date: Jul 29 2024 5:41PM