MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1997 FUTURE DIRECTIONS
1:00pm-2:00pm	Opening Session and Introductions - Joe Toole, Session Moderator Welcome - Dick Weaver Keynote Address - Julie Anna Cirillo Washington Video Welcome - Tony Kane
2:00pm-2:45pm	Reauthorization Update - Ray Griffith, Bob Betsold, Mike Halladay
3:15pm-3:45pm	NHI Futures Task Group - Harry Hersey
3:45pm-4:30pm	ITS Participation Opportunities - Shelley Lynch
4:30pm-5:00pm	Research & Technology Maps - Carolyn Goodman
	Session Title: Opening Session and Introductions
Session Moderator	Joe Toole, Director, FHWA Office of Technology Applications
Opening Remarks	Welcoming participants, Mr. Toole said that the Conference was about technology and what participants can do to help partners with it. The present session was devoted to future directions for technology transfer. Technology is not just about helping customers, however, but also about champions.
	Session Title: Welcome
Session Leader	Dick Weaver, Deputy Director and Chief Engineer, CALTRANS
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	Mr. Weaver greeted participants on behalf of the State of California and praised his State's partnership with FHWA. In regard to research, he said that science is a process of evolving and testing that sometimes fails. He urged participants to share the results of research so that others do not have to replicate previous work.
Issues Discussed	Communications Documentation Dissemination Emphasis on air and water quality - Need for research LTPP Rehabilitation of concrete pavement in high-volume metropolitan areas without disruption Long term pavement life Rehabilitation of corridors The Northridge Earthquake - True costs of rehabilitation and potential disruption Pavement marking and its relationship to maintenance Research opportunities
Summary/ Conclusions	Quality is a continuous process of increments. Participants must continue their efforts in research and technology, struggle to reach the right people with their results, and always be true to their research and the right product.
	Session Title: Keynote Address
Session Leader	Julie Anna Cirillo, Administrator, FHWA Region 9
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	Ms. Cirillo said that, contrary to the program, technology is not the future of FHWA, but rather technology is the future FHWA. Technology and the mission of FHWA are synonymous.
Issues Discussed	Reauthorization discussions have brought forth a great diversity of views, from the need for only minor adjustments to a complete devolution of FHWA functions to the States. Expressions of opposition to government should be a wake-up call. Development and delivery of technology is clearly a Federal role. FHWA must, however, undergo a radical transformation from T2 to 3D: Develop, deliver, and deploy technologies and best practices to customers. This will ensure against FHWA becoming redundant. FHWA must give up compliance enforcement and return to its roots, the development and delivery of products. Elements of FHWA's business strategy of the 21st century: Staff: Specialists in areas such as teams, negotiation, conflict resolution, and development skills Movement away from a military model to allow shifting by knowledge and skill paths Focus on adding value to products Product line: Mode shift from process to product Identification of best techniques and practices Product and expertise to be shared without limits Organizational structure to fit the first two: Virtual teams, telecommuting, treatment of the field as customers, all tailoring result to location All program delivery to reside in Division offices, with fewer Region offices, which coordinate Headquarters line functions grouped to focus on production
Summary/ Conclusions	The prevailing FHWA culture is sometimes so ingrained that teams are not enough to rehabilitate it. Because the current structure collapses for development and deployment, radical change is required. This process is largely complete in Region 9. The core function of Regions must be delivery of and stewardship through technology. The message must be that the public pays the salaries and uses the product - and is the customer. The public is best served by strengthening technical expertise, encouraging innovation, and espousing teams. Division administrators are the vanguard of technology deployment and dissemination.
	Session Title: Washington Video Welcome
Speaker	Tony Kane, Executive Director, FHWA
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	Technology is the future of transportation and a strong economy, not just of FHWA. Mr. Kane intended to address that future and how FHWA will get there.
Issues Discussed	Filling in the gaps in the existing transportation infrastructure Massive reconstruction of the existing structures, with emphasis on: Better facilities Life cycle extension Use of technologies so that reconstruction serves customers better Overlay of transportation structures with a communications structure to: Make vehicles smarter through ITS Enhance safety Assist motorists with technologies Reaching the future by emphasizing the infrastructure, with commitments to education and training Reauthorization is about the future Partnerships FHWA must become a different organization through focus on: Proactive research Innovative leadership Training The Quality Journey Improved performance Raising the state-of-the-practice and state-of-the-art everywhere
Summary/ Conclusions	To deal with the tough problems FHWA has to face, it is necessary to have thinking that is different from the thinking that created the problems and to be the partner of choice in serving one's customers.
	Session Title: Reauthorization Update
Session Leader	Bob Betsold, Associate Administrator, FHWA Office of Research and Development
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	Referring to a handout publication, Technology to Keep America Moving, Mr. Betsold said that ISTEA Reauthorization sets a research and technology agenda that emphasizes awareness, participation, and field involvement.
Issues Discussed	Transportation research and technology—more emphasis and visibility at higher levels: Office of Science and Technology Policy Committee on Surface Transportation R&T DOT R&T Council R&T Coordinating Committee (FHWA) Focus groups on Reauthorization: R&T Coordinating Committee AASHTO Research Advisory Committee Reauthorization proposal areas directly impacting FHWA include intermodal research and strategic planning Reauthorization emphasis on the following R&T programs (closing the gap between what is done well and what should be done better): National Technology Deployment Initiative Advanced Research and Long Term Pavement Performance State Planning and Research ITS (strong support for continued funding)
	Session Title: Reauthorization Update
Session Leader	Mike Halladay, SHRP Implementation, FHWA Office of Technology Applications
Issues Discussed	Key features of the National Technology Deployment Initiative (NTDI) include: A limited number of customer focused goals Deployment orientation to put technology on the road and close the gap between state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice Focus on outcomes NTDI goals in NEXTEA include: Reduced delay and improved safety in construction and maintenance work zones Extended life of the current infrastructure Increased system durability and life Improved safety for driving at night and other periods of reduced visibility Support and enhancement of environment Support of community oriented transportation and sustainable development Minimized transportation system closures, constraints, and delay caused by snow and ice Professional capacity building and technology partnerships Program elements: LTAP NHI Eisenhower Fellowships UTCs/URIs Technology Partnerships Program Advanced research LTPP State Planning and Research Program—Cornerstone of State R&T programs ITS ITS and Federal-aid—Reauthorization includes an explicit statement that other programs' funds may be used for ITS and requires use of ITS national protocols
Summary/ Conclusions	State in narrative form any conclusions reached or the major points that need to be resolved in future discussions.
	Session Title: Reauthorization Update
Session Leader	Ray Griffith, Chief, Technology Management Division, FHWA Office of Technology Applications
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	ISTEA Reauthorization will mean revolutionary changes at FHWA. At issue will be technology as an integrated part of FHWA. Reauthorization should be seen as a tool for getting the agency where it wants and needs to be. Mr. Griffith discussed how the transition would be transformed into legislative language, with reference to the document, Technology to Keep America Moving.
Issues Discussed	Appendix A, Section 6003—Research and Technology Program Emphasis on research and development Why the program is needed Technical innovation Long term commitment items emphasize need for assured source of funding The legislative package is constrained in terms of dollars requested and relates to the overall highway budget available The largest increase is in ITS, which represents a shift in philosophy toward deployment Next largest increase is in NTDI
Summary/ Conclusions	There is a need for a funding increase for research and technology. The pace must be accelerated in closing the gap between the state-of-the-art and the state-of-the-practice. The United States can be competitive globally only if the state-of-the practice is advanced, yet the state of knowledge must continue to advance, as well.
	Session Title: NHI Futures Task Group
Session Leader	Harry Hersey, FHWA
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	Before addressing the Task Group and changes in NHI, Mr. Hersey explained that NHI was founded in 1971 and expanded through ISTEA. After 6,000 courses conducted, NHI is being reorganized to expand its efforts under Reauthorization.
Issues Discussed	To prepare for Reauthorization, NHI is: Adopting a new paradigm Changing its program delivery Developing a 6-year strategic plan Developing a business plan Changing the organizational structure NHI's new paradigm means: More efficient and effective program delivery The RTCG process embraces education and training RTEB sets priorities NHI will guide curriculum development; develop education and training programs; and relieve the Program Office of all but technical oversight The following program delivery changes will be made: Reduced time to develop and deliver courses Establishment of program and technical advisory boards Increased FHWA staff instructor involvement Process improvements Shortened classroom time Advanced training delivery methods The NHI 6-year strategic plan: Has been reviewed by program and field offices Will be valid through the life of Reauthorization Will be public Will be updated at appropriate intervals (annually, at least) NHI's vision focuses on deploying advanced technologies and future mobility NHI's mission focuses on professional capacity development in advanced technologies and closes the gap between state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice NHI's business plan is structured on the strategic plan, updated as necessary
Summary/ Conclusions	NHI is changing from a hierarchical to a team based, dynamic organization where employee participation, creativity, and accountability are encouraged.
	Session Title: ITS Participation Opportunities
Session Leader	Shelley Lynch, FHWA ITS Joint Programs Office
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	The perception that ITS stands by itself is a true one. To be successful, ITS has to be real to everyone and a part of everything done day to day in FHWA as an integrated part of R&T.
Issues Discussed	ITS is an application of information and telecommunications technologies to transportation ITS technologies are here today and deployable now The effort will be regional—interjurisdictional and intermodal The effort emphasizes: Deployment and technical guidance Integration Professional capacity building Partnerships Rural ITS applications Intelligent vehicles Common misconceptions about ITS include: ITS is Star Wars ITS is only for ITS specialists ITS only benefits urban areas Radio traffic reporters already do what ITS does for cheaper Why should we care? ITS is part of FHWA's future, with FHWA shift to an operations focus ITS is part of the cost of doing business Benefits will accrue through synergies
Summary/ Conclusions	Ms. Lynch said that participants are in a unique position to link people with ITS efforts and should get involved, look for opportunities, and call on specialists when needed. Everyone can and must be a leader. She requested feedback on how to make ITS more useful and how to integrate it better into the way FHWA does business.
	Session Title: Research and Technology Maps
Session Leader	Carolyn Goodman, Technology Transfer Director, Virginia Transportation Research Council
Opening Remarks/ Background Information	Ms. Goodman discussed a technology map brochure sponsored and produced by a team comprising the District of Columbia Department of Public Works, Maryland DOT, Virginia DOT, the Washington Metro- politan Area Transit Authority, and FHWA's Region 3 Technology team.
Issues Discussed	The goals of the effort were to market transportation technologies and to enhance the service oriented images of the participating agencies The messages included: Transportation as vital to the economy and quality of life Transportation agencies as progressive forces The participating agencies working together The public payoff Public ownership and direction of roads The objectives of the effort were to: Gain a positive return on investment Enhance the image of transportation agencies and transportation engineering with the public Provide a model publication useful to other transportation groups Educate the public about the high-tech nature of transportation operations Encourage young people to join the transportation engineering profession Provide information to domestic and foreign tourists visiting the capital The audiences were: Primary—The general public and the press Secondary—Elected officials and civil and traffic engineering professionals The brochure focuses beyond ITS, showing technologies on the ground now, with a revision to come including technologies in place within the next year The project process has taken place in three phases and is currently seeking partners for reprinting and further opportunities
Summary/ Conclusions	If you can find public support, the funding will be there. You have to change people's perceptions.