A Guide to Ensure Access to the Publications and Data of Federally Funded Transportation-Related Research

BACKGROUND   In February 2013, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a memo titled, “Increasing Access to the Results of Federally Funded Scientific Research.” The goal of the policy is to ensure that, as stated in the memo, “to the greatest extent and with the fewest constraints possible and consistent with law and the objectives set out below, the direct results of federally funded scientific research are made available to and useful for the public, industry, and the scientific community. Such results include peer-reviewed publications and digital data.” The memo goes on to require that any research project utilizing federal funds must include open access research data management and publication plans and must provide for the long-term preservation and access of data and publications.   The transportation sector has only recently begun to look at issues of long-term research data preservation and open access, although there are a number of transportation agencies and organizations that have experience with quite large research data sets. Some federal agencies and organizations that receive federal funding have had data management requirements in place for several years, creating a pool of knowledge and experience from which the transportation research community can draw.   Research is needed to develop useful guidance and implementation activities to assist state departments of transportation (DOTs), other public agencies, and transportation research organizations to efficiently and effectively ensure access to the results of federally funded transportation-related research.   OBJECTIVE   The objective of this research is to develop guidance and activities to assist state DOTs, other public agencies, and transportation research organizations to efficiently and effectively ensure access to the results of federally funded transportation-related research.   Such results include but are not limited to research-generated data and literature such as peer-reviewed publications and project final reports.   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   Task 1. Prepare a technical memorandum that identifies and analyzes common existing tools, data management methodologies, policies, and models used for providing open access to federally funded research data such as those used by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other mission-oriented agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE). Also identify applicable library and information science practices that address digital curation for long-term access. It is expected that the technical memorandum will at a minimum require (a) a literature review; (b) identification of key stakeholder information requirements and needs; (c) identification of the availability and usability of appropriate data management plans; and (d) review of the availability and usability of information and training materials coming out of NIH, NSF, DOE, and others that may be suitable for adaptation to guide state DOTs, other public agencies, and transportation research organizations to efficiently and effectively ensure access to the results of federally funded transportation-related research.  The technical memorandum should describe the benefits, resource requirements, and risk management of data preservation and data sharing as documented by others. Task 2. Based on Task 1, develop a conceptual framework and a detailed outline for the activities to be carried out and the materials to be developed in Phase II. Task 3. Prepare an interim report providing (a) a summary of results from Tasks 1 and 2: (b) a draft stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” (see Special Note C): and (c) an updated work plan for Phase II. The interim report should be accompanied by an appendix providing, as an illustrative case study, any raw information collected in Phase I, in accordance with a data management plan for this project that aligns with the U.S.DOT data management guidance available at the time of work inception.     PHASE II   Task 4. Carry out the approved Phase II work plan to develop the guidance and to carry out panel-approved initial implementation activities. If proposed, any training items or outreach materials must be provided in outline and detailed draft for NCHRP approval prior to development. Task 5. Prepare (1) stand-alone guidance to assist state DOTs, other public agencies, and transportation research organizations to efficiently and effectively ensure access to the results of federally funded transportation-related research. The guidance should illustrate (a) factors to be considered for development of policy and programs; (b) ways to delineate responsibility for monitoring and preservation of data; (c) how to maintain reliability as an authoritative source (e.g., through use of permanent links); and (d) a data management plan for this project that aligns with the U.S.DOT data management guidance available at the time of work inception, to serve as a case study example; (2) a final report documenting the research effort; and (3) an executive summary (two pages, maximum). In addition, a webinar reporting project final results will be required during the contract.     STATUS: Complete. Publication pending.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=4062

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $249960
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-110

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 225
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Parker, Stephan

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, Michigan  United States  48109
• Principal Investigators:

  Flannagan, Carol

• Start Date: 20160805
• Expected Completion Date: 20180630
• Actual Completion Date: 20180630
• Source Data: RiP Project 40226

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Best practices; Data files; Data management; Government funding; Information dissemination; Research management; State departments of transportation
• Subject Areas: Research; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01572343
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-110
• Files: TRB, RiP
• Created Date: Aug 6 2015 1:00AM