1. Introduction | Research and Implementation Manual | TxDOT Manual System

♦Manual Notice2008-1
▼1. Introduction
- ►1. About This Manual
  - ♦General
- ►2. Research Program Overview
- ►3. Authority and References
  - ♦When Did the Research Program Start?
  - ♦Authority for the Research Program
- ►4. Research Funding and Budgeting
- ►5. Research Library
  - ♦Location
  - ♦Services Available to TxDOT Employees
- ►6. Definitions
  - ♦Research
  - ♦Implementation
  - ♦Product
  - ♦Field Testing
  - ♦Information Technology (IT) Component
  - ♦Product Evaluation
  - ♦FHWA Definitions (23 CFR 420.203)
  - ♦Other Definitions
- ►7. Acronyms
  - ♦Acronyms and Definitions
- ►8. Forms
  - ♦Overview
  - ♦Forms
►2. Personnel and Organization
►3. Communications with Universities
- ►1. Correspondence to TxDOT
  - ♦From Universities – General Requirements
  - ♦Questionnaires and Surveys Prepared by Universities
- ►2. Correspondence to Universities
  - ♦University Liaison
  - ♦Research Supervisors
►4. Long-Range Research Planning
- ►1. Introduction
  - ♦Purpose of the Long-Range Research Plans (LRRPs)
- ►2. LRRP Organization
  - ♦Flexibility in Format
►5. Research Program Development
- ►1. Introduction
  - ♦Purpose of This Chapter
  - ♦The Annual Research Program
- ►2. Research Cycle Overview
  - ♦Timeline
- ►3. Research Cycle Procedures
  - ♦July 1
  - ♦July 1 – August 7
  - ♦August 1
  - ♦August 7
  - ♦August 15
  - ♦September 1
  - ♦September – October 15
  - ♦October 15
  - ♦November – first week
  - ♦November – December 15
  - ♦Early December
  - ♦December 15
  - ♦December 15 – January 31
  - ♦January 31
  - ♦February 1
  - ♦Mid-February – mid-March
  - ♦February 15 – June 1
  - ♦March 1
  - ♦March 7
  - ♦March 25
  - ♦April 1
  - ♦April 1 – May 1
  - ♦April 22
  - ♦April 22 – May 7
  - ♦May 1
  - ♦May 7
  - ♦May 21
  - ♦June – first week
  - ♦Early July
  - ♦July – August
  - ♦September 1
- ►4. Mid-Year Projects
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Contingency Account Funding Level
  - ♦Procedures
- ►5. In-House Projects
  - ♦Definition
  - ♦Examples of What Is Not an In-House Project
  - ♦Development of an In-House Project
  - ♦Project Funding
- ►6. Joint Projects
►6. Implementation Program Development
- ►1. Introduction
  - ♦General
  - ♦Research Planning for Implementation
- ►2. Implementation Planning
  - ♦Product Tracking
  - ♦Product Status Reports
  - ♦Product Delivery to TxDOT
  - ♦Review and Dissemination
  - ♦Implementation Plans
- ►3. Implementation Projects
  - ♦Funding
  - ♦Development of an IPR
  - ♦IPR Approval
  - ♦Overview of Implementation Contracting
  - ♦Projects Involving Universities
  - ♦Projects with TxDOT Activities Only
  - ♦Modifications to Implementation Contracts
  - ♦Implementation Deliverables
- ►4. Other Implementation Activities
  - ♦Technology Transfer
►7. Contracting
►8. Project Deliverables
- ►1. Introduction
- ►2. Types of Products and Reports
  - ♦Products
  - ♦Reports for Research Projects
  - ♦Reports for Implementation Projects
- ►3. Technical Report Standards
  - ♦General
  - ♦Cover Page
  - ♦Technical Report Documentation Page
  - ♦Title Page
  - ♦Credits for Sponsor
  - ♦Disclaimer(s)
  - ♦Acknowledgements
  - ♦Table of Contents
  - ♦List of Illustrations / Figures / Photographs
  - ♦List of Tables
  - ♦List of Abbreviations and Symbols
  - ♦Body of the Report
  - ♦Size Conventions
  - ♦Line Spacing
  - ♦Pagination
  - ♦Illustrations / Figures / Photographs
  - ♦Tables
  - ♦Equations
  - ♦Use of Copyrighted Material
  - ♦University’s Right to Copyright
  - ♦Ownership and Release of Data
- ►4. DOT F 1700.7 Instructions
  - ♦General
  - ♦Technical Reports
  - ♦Draft Products
- ►5. Project Summary Report Standards
  - ♦General
  - ♦Contents
  - ♦Copyrights
  - ♦Ownership and Release of Data
  - ♦Submission to RTI
- ►6. Product Standards
  - ♦General
  - ♦Equipment / Devices (other than Information Technology)
  - ♦Guidebooks and Manuals
  - ♦Information Technology
  - ♦Specifications
  - ♦Training Aids
  - ♦Video Presentations
  - ♦Technical Report Documentation Page
  - ♦Copyrights
  - ♦Ownership and Release of Data
- ►7. Submission, Review, and Publication
  - ♦Initial Submission of Reports
  - ♦Initial Submission of Products
  - ♦Deadline for Submission
  - ♦Number of Copies
  - ♦TxDOT Review Requirements
  - ♦Approval
  - ♦Publication Due Date
  - ♦Publication / Reproduction Costs
  - ♦Copies Retained by the University
  - ♦Publication / Distribution Restrictions
►9. Progress Reports and Papers
- ►1. Semi-Annual Progress Reports
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Deadline for Submission
  - ♦Procedure for Submission
  - ♦Required Content and Format
  - ♦Equipment Reporting
  - ♦TxDOT Review
- ►2. Monthly or Quarterly Progress Reports
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Frequency and Format
  - ♦Submission
- ►3. Papers
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Submitting for Review
  - ♦Review Not Required
►10. University Costs
- ►1. Allowable Costs
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Eligible Costs
  - ♦Cost Control
  - ♦Equipment and Supplies
  - ♦Facilities
  - ♦Indirect(Overhead) Charges
  - ♦Salary and Travel
  - ♦Foreign Travel
  - ♦Proposal Preparation
  - ♦Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Participation
- ►2. Equipment
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Approval for Procurement
  - ♦Procurement Reporting
  - ♦Title
  - ♦Possession and Use
  - ♦Property Management
  - ♦Disposal
- ►3. Supplies
  - ♦Approval for Procurement
  - ♦Title
  - ♦Possession and Use
- ►4. Billings
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Billing Frequency
  - ♦Billing Deadlines
  - ♦Billing Format
  - ♦Supporting Documentation
  - ♦University Invoices
  - ♦TxDOT Processing
  - ♦Payment Documentation
- ►5. Audits and Recordkeeping
  - ♦Responsibilities
  - ♦Audit Scheduling
►11. TxDOT, FHWA, and Local Costs
- ►1. Program Management
  - ♦Costs Charged to RTI by TxDOT Employees
  - ♦Approval
  - ♦Charge Number
  - ♦FHWA Participants
  - ♦City, County, or other Local Participants
- ►2. Project Participation
  - ♦Costs Charged to RTI
  - ♦Approval
  - ♦Charge Number
- ►3. Conferences and Seminars
  - ♦Costs Charged to RTI
  - ♦Approval
►12. Other Research Programs
- ►1. Transportation Research Board (TRB)
  - ♦Overview
  - ♦RTI Responsibilities
  - ♦Committee Membership
- ►2. NCHRP
  - ♦Overview
  - ♦NCHRP Panel Membership
- ►3. Pooled Fund Program
  - ♦Overview
  - ♦RTI Responsibilities
  - ♦Pooled Fund Project Funding
- ♦4. Other FHWA Programs
►13. Product Evaluation Program
- ►1. Introduction
  - ♦Purpose of the Program
  - ♦Definition of a New Product
  - ♦Department Commitment
- ►2. Product Evaluation Committee
  - ♦Membership
  - ♦Responsibilities
- ►3. Product Evaluation Process

Chapter 1: Introduction

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Section 1: About This Manual

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General

This manual is the central point of reference for all participants in research, implementation, and technology transfer programs involving the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). In particular, the manual:

describes the various programs and activities, how they work, and how they are developed.
describes the individuals and organizations involved in research, their responsibilities, and their interaction with other individuals within the various programs, including:
- the responsibilities of TxDOT personnel involved in the program and the procedures to be followed in meeting the responsibilities assigned to their various roles.
- the responsibilities of the university and other personnel involved in the program. This manual supplements the provisions of the Cooperative Research and Implementation Agreements (CRIAs) TxDOT has executed with several Texas state-supported universities. By signing the CRIA, each university pledged to abide by TxDOT procedures in the conduct of its research and implementation projects. This manual provides those procedures.
describes the legal and policy issues involved in the program, such as supporting legislation and Federal and state regulations.
describes applicable TxDOT information technology (IT) policies and procedures and how they relate to research projects.

This manual is maintained by the Research and Technology Implementation Office (RTI) of the Texas Department of Transportation.