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  4. DRISI FY 2020/21 Research Program Annual Report 
  5. DRISI FY 2022/2023 Caltrans Research Program Highlights Report 
  6. National Research Programs

National Research Programs

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

TRB, the major national multimodal transportation research organization, brings practitioners and researchers together to solve critical transportation problems. With more than 175 standing committees, almost every transportation mode and topic are represented. Each committee proposes research, shares research findings, sponsors special activities, and provides a forum for transportation professionals to discuss current and future transportation issues.

The TRB's major sources of revenue are state departments of transportation, federal agencies, other transportation organizations, and TRB self-generated revenue. With a contribution of $620,554 in 2022, Caltrans was able to leverage $24 in research-related activity for every $1 invested.

This beneficial investment in TRB enables Caltrans to:

  • Have a voice in setting national research priorities and agendas
  • Access user-oriented research
  • Avoid duplication of research efforts
  • Support the uniform, practical, and common-sense application of transportation research results
  • Develop a more informed and forward-thinking workforce
  • Improve customers’ experiences by accelerating the development and implementation of solutions to problems that affect transportation planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance
  • Retain employees by offering stimulating and professionally rewarding opportunities to participate in efforts that help improve the nation as a whole

Caltrans Membership on TRB Committees

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) promotes innovation and progress in transportation through research. TRB is one of seven program units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conducts other activities to solve complex problems and inform public-policy decisions. The program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies, including the component administrations of the U.S. DOT, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation.

To see a full list of Committees and Committee members, please see Appendix B

Cooperative Research Programs

The National Cooperative Research Programs address research on safety, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance at the national level. This research includes developing and evaluating new technologies and techniques. The programs also foster sharing best practices among states.

Caltrans leaders work with the following national research programs:

  • National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
  • Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)
  • Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)
  • Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP)

State contributions to NCHRP in 2022 totaled $41.6 million.  California’s contribution to that total was $5,006,961 which means Caltrans leverages approximately $9 in research-related activity for every $1 Caltrans invests in TRB’s NCHRP activities. There are 58 Caltrans employees currently serving on Standing Committees and 52 serving on current NCHRP Project Panels. As project panel members and a member of the Special Committee on Research and Research Advisory Council, Caltrans is able to influence national projects to directly benefit California.

Transportation Pooled Fund Program

The Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) program combines resources to support transportation research studies.  When significant or widespread interest is shown in solving transportation-related problems, several federal, state, regional, and local transportation agencies, academic institutions, foundations, or private firms might jointly fund research, planning, and technology transfer activities.