TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to conduct a critical review of current and leading practices, research and application of emerging and new technologies, and opportunities for further advances to identify near-term opportunities for improving agencies’ capabilities to assess and monitor the foundational integrity, condition and service capability of highway system assets. Proposals are due February 4, 2021 by 5:00 PM Eastern.

TCRP is seeking panel nominations for the approved FY 2021 research projects. Descriptions are available of FY 2021 projects for which RFPs are expected to be issued.

Please nominate yourself or other candidates to serve on the expert panels of these research projects online at MyTRB. These panels will develop requests for proposals, select contractors, and review draft deliverables.

Nominations are welcome anytime before February 5, 2021.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to (1) evaluate the recent experience of transportation agencies in using virtual public involvement with a particular focus on equity; and (2) develop a manual for selecting, creating, and using virtual public involvement tools and techniques for each phase of transportation decision-making process. Proposals are due February 10, 2021 by 5:00 PM Eastern.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to evaluate and present viable paths and strategies for implementing road usage charging at the state, multi-state, and regional levels that generate revenues that could supplement, and/or may ultimately replace, motor fuel taxes as the primary funding source for surface transportation. Proposals are due February 17, 2021 by 5:00 PM Eastern.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to
(1) Identify traffic safety culture (TSC) research questions, gaps, and stakeholders
(2) Produce a prioritized TSC research roadmap with stakeholder input that includes fully developed research problem statements
(3) Develop a communication plan to disseminate the research roadmap
(4) Develop a process management plan to systematically revisit research priorities to guide research and ensure its future relevancy.

Proposals are due February 18, 2021 at 5:00 PM Eastern.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to produce a guidebook on how to initiate new and enhance existing rural and tribal public transportation services that improve mobility and accessibility. The guidebook should promote practices that are responsive to customers and aid transit providers in improving efficiency and effectiveness. The guidebook should also help transit providers better leverage and coordinate resources, comply with federal requirements, and adopt appropriate emerging technologies.
Proposals are due March 16, 2021 at 5:00 PM Eastern.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to develop a research roadmap for knowledge management in state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies. The roadmap shall be designed to systematically revisit research priorities to guide research and ensure its future relevancy.
Proposals are due March 2, 2021 at 5:00 PM Eastern.

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is seeking potential synthesis study topics for the 2021 TCRP Synthesis Program.

TCRP will fund seven (7) new synthesis topics. Anyone may propose topics.

A synthesis study documents current practice and experience for specific public transportation topics.  The following factors are considered in the selection process for new topics.

• The objective of the scope of work is to document current practices in public transportation and/or public transit agencies
• The synthesis documents current practice, not best practice; it is not a research project or a guidebook
• The topic addresses an area of practice that is widespread and of general interest to public transit and/ or public transportation
• The topic should be timely and critical for expediting delivery, improving the quality, or lowering the cost of programs

A newSynthesis Topic Outline offers guidance in creating a topic. Topics must be submitted through the TCRP Synthesis Topic Submission Portal by March 19, 2021.

For questions, please contact Mariela Garcia-Colberg at mgarciacolberg@nas.edu.

TRB is accepting proposals for the 2021 Transit Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) program, which supports the development and testing of unproven, innovative concepts and methods for advancing public transit practice. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 1, 2021.

The IDEA Program Announcement includes instructions for preparing and submitting an IDEA proposal along with details about the program. The Transit IDEA program provides funding at an early stage of the development process for promising but unproven, innovative concepts and methods. Proposals are permitted up to $100,000 in IDEA funds. The Transit IDEA program seeks innovations that improve the efficiency, safety, security, maintenance, and ridership of public transit systems.

TRB’s Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) annual program announcement solicits funding proposals for the upcoming review cycles.  The announcement explains the IDEA programs, describes the types of eligible projects and their funding structures, suggests general areas for which IDEA proposals can be submitted, and provides guidelines and forms for submitting proposals.

• Highway IDEA proposals are due March 1 and September 1, 2019, depending on which of the two funding cycles is targeted.
• The Transit IDEA and Rail Safety IDEA will have one review cycle in 2019. Transit IDEA proposals will be due May 1 and Rail Safety IDEA, September 15.

If the proposal submission due date for any IDEA program falls over a weekend or on a federal holiday, the due date automatically moves to the next business day.

The IDEA programs provide start-up funding for promising, but unproven, innovations in surface transportation systems. The programs’ goals are to seek out and support new transportation solutions that are unlikely to be funded through traditional sources.

Top 3 Criteria by Which Selection Committees Evaluate IDEA Proposals:
1. Innovation -- Emphasize the innovation. Say it first, say it fast, and make it clear. What problem does your project address? How is your solution better than current practice?
2. Payoff -- Describe the expected benefits. Why is this project worth investing in?
3. Research Approach -- Stick to the science. Be sure the research approach is sound and sensible.