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Research Problem Statement Form - Online
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Research Problem Statement Form - Word format

November 3, 2008

Solicitation for Transportation Research Needs and Topics

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) conducts research to discover, develop, or extend knowledge needed to operate, maintain, and improve the statewide multimodal transportation system. Specific goals include: evaluation and advancement of new technologies, materials, and methods; development of design and analysis techniques; and study of current transportation challenges.

Research ideas are suggested through our annual solicitation. Therefore, the purpose of this letter is to solicit your participation in MDT's Research Program by submitting a Research Problem Statement(s).

Problems should be submitted on the Research Problem Statement form (see above links) and should be relatively brief, preferably not more than two pages in length. The problem statements should include: a) the problem title, b) the problem statement, c) the research proposed, d) IT components, e) the urgency of the problem and the probable benefits, f) implementation plan, g) your name, title, affiliation, address and phone number, h) champion information (optional), and i) sponsor information (optional).

A champion (Item VI on the Research Problem Statement form) can be any MDT staff who feels strongly that the research will benefit the Department, is willing to chair the Technical Panel, and oversee the project as it progresses. A sponsor (Item VII in the Research Problem Statement form) is a Division Administrator or higher who accepts responsibility for implementation of the particular research results.

When problem statements are received, an internal champion and sponsor will be sought for each problem statement if one is not listed. You are encouraged to speak with your peers within MDT to match your interests with our needs. This discussion often yields a champion for your research idea.

Please transmit the completed forms to Sue Sillick by December 31, 2008. Research staff will acknowledge each submittal and will later inform you of the status of your topic. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at 406.444.7693 or by e-mail at .

After this solicitation closes, the Research Review Committee (RRC) and District Administrators will prioritize all of the research statements with a champion and sponsor. Then the RRC will choose which topics the Department will pursue.

Please note that all research ideas submitted become public property. Submitters are not guaranteed to receive the contract for work resulting from any submitted research idea.

This solicitation is being directed to a broad range of universities, colleges, professional engineering firms, car and truck owner associations, highway contractors, transit firms, etc., in the hope that we might receive a wide variety of research topics for consideration. It is requested of those who receive this letter to please give it the widest possible circulation and exposure.

Sincerely,

Susan C. Sillick, Manager
Research Programs