Committee Task Force on Research

Suggested research topics should be directed to the following task force members:

John Campbell, Texas, (512) 416-2918

Matthew Delong, Michigan, (919) 733-7694

Current Research Initiatives

FHWA/NCHRP Project Panel 20-36 International Scan

The final report for the international scan on “Outdoor Advertising Control Best Practices, Policy and Implementation” is expected to be complete in the spring of 2011. The scan team has moved into the implementation phase and this work will be ongoing over the next several years.  Implementation activities currently underway include creation of an outdoor advertising bibliography, a cost allocation study, and an NCHRP 20-7 project to develop a safety checklist for outdoor advertising installations.

Implementation of high value initiatives and best practices resulting from the International Scan entitled, “Integrating and Streamlining RIGHT-OF-WAY and Utility Processes with Planning, Environment and Design” remains on-going.  Numerous activities including pilot programs and further research efforts will be undertaken to implement, analyze, and evaluate ideas intended to achieve the scan objectives.

FHWA/NCHRP Project Panel 20-68A Domestic Scan

Organizational work is currently underway to prepare for the 10-01 Domestic Scan entitled “Best Practices for Risk- Based Forecast of Land Volatility for Corridor Management and Sustainable Communities”.  Field work is expected to begin in September, 2011 with the report to be published in early 2012.

NCHRP 20-7

Safety Checklists and Design Guidelines for Evaluation of Outdoor Advertising Signs and Permit locations by Departments of Transportation (DOTs)
The objectives of this research are to (a) review existing and developing safety checklists and safety criteria, (b) review existing and developing design guidelines and strategies on a national and international basis, and (c) develop an NCHRP project to develop design guidelines, safety criteria and checklists for use in Outdoor Advertising regulatory control programs.

Best Practices for Automating Utility Permits
The objectives of this research are to (a) locate and assemble documented information, (b) identify practices that have been successfully used to remedy utility problems, (c) identify similar completed or ongoing research, (d) identify which problems remain largely unsolved, and (e) organize, evaluate, and compile best practices in current use.

Feasibility of Using Incentives to Facilitate Utility Relocations
The objectives of this research project are to (a) document experiences State DOTs have had using incentives for utility relocations; (b) investigate how incentives have been used effectively to accelerate critical construction-related activities; and (c) recommend incentives State DOTs may want to consider

Advanced GIS Visualization Techniques for Geospatial Business Intelligence and Information Integration
The objectives of this research are to (a) perform a literature review, survey, and interview of existing advanced GIS capabilities and their integration with 2D/3D designs, engineering plans, and profiles, (b) identify the foundation for interoperability of GIS data among DOTs, and (c) review existing GIS real property reference data models.