You can become involved with the work of the Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP) by submitting a problem statement or serving as a panel member, proposer, or contractor for BTSCRP research.
About BTSCRP
Each year TRB and the Governors Highway Safety Association provide an opportunity to submit research needs for the Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program. These problem statements are not proposals to conduct the research, but rather identify real-world research needs that will be considered for potential funding by the BTSCRP. The BTSCRP undertakes research for any behavioral issue faced by traffic safety stakeholders. Particular emphasis areas are alcohol-impaired driving, autonomous vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, child passenger safety, distracted driving, drowsy driving, drug-impaired driving, law enforcement, mature drivers, motorcyclist safety, seat belts, speed and red light cameras, speeding and aggressive driving, teen driver safety, and traffic records.
Anyone can write or submit a problem statement. Submissions from individuals and organizations outside the traditional fields of traffic safety are also encouraged. Before submitting, submitters are strongly encouraged to do a literature search to ensure that the problem hasn’t been solved or isn’t being studied already. NHTSA and TRB staff will review the submitted research project problem statements and provide feedback to the Governing Board. The Governing Board gives final approval of the annual research projects. The BTSCRP is dedicated to diversity of ideas, panelists, disciplines, and research contractors.
If you would like to receive Call for Problem Statement announcements please register by sending an email to this address.
Under the auspices of the Transportation Research Board's Cooperative Research Programs (CRP), the BTSCRP organizes panels of experts to provide guidance on technical aspects of the research. Each research project is assigned to a panel, appointed by the Transportation Research Board, which provides technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including members representing the intended users of the research products.
Panels prepare project statements and select contractors based on evaluation of the proposals received; they guide the projects and review the reports. As in other TRB activities, BTSCRP project panel members serve voluntarily without compensation. These panels are looked to for guidance and counsel in developing the details of research, monitoring research in progress, and, finally, evaluating the results of completed research. The following document provides more details about the roles and responsibilities of panel members: BTSCRP Panel Member Functions.
Are you interested? Know someone else who would make a great panel member? BTSCRP seeks qualified individuals on an annual basis to serve as panel members. Once new projects are announced you may nominate yourself or others to participate on the project panel by locating your desired project on the MyTRB Available Projects page and following the prompts.
If you would like to receive Call for Panel Nomination announcements please register by sending an email to this address
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The Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP) regularly advertises for competitive proposals by releasing detailed project statements (i.e., requests for proposals) on the TRB website. Those who have an interest in receiving research project statements must periodically browse the Requests for Proposals webpage or register to be notified by sending an email to LISTSERV@LSW.NAS.EDU from the email address you would like to receive the announcements with SUBSCRIBE BTSCRP_ANNOUNCE as the body of the email.
The specifications for preparing proposals are quite strict and are set forth in the brochure entitled Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals. Proposals will be rejected if they are not prepared in strict conformance with these guidelines.
The process for selecting BTSCRP contractors allows all potential research agencies to compete on the basis of technical merit, and ensures that all proposers are treated fairly and that the program has access to the best talent available for each project.
Proposals from potential research contractors are evaluated by the project panels. The evaluation considers the following: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experiment design; (3) experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related areas; (4) the plan for promoting application of results; (5) the proposer's plan for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises--small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and (6) the adequacy of the facilities.
Contractors who are selected to conduct research for the Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP) are required to comply with the Procedural Manual for Contractors Conducting Research in the Transportation Research Board's Cooperative Research Programs.