Volume 10 | November 17, 2020 View as Webpage
Submit Your Research Ideas Today!  
Do you have an idea for a research project that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) should consider? We want to hear from you! Every year, VTrans funds 2-4 external research projects and the submittal process is open to everyone. Project ideas must be submitted by December 18, 2020 for consideration in the 2021 program. To move forward, research ideas much be matched with a VTrans Technical Staff Champion who understands the value of the research and the benefit to the Agency.

To submit your research idea, simply complete this form before December 18th. 
Join our Qualified Researcher List!
New this year, we are partnering with VTrans’ Contract Administration Team to develop a Qualified Researcher List. To generate this list VTrans will release a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), open to all interested entities, by early December 2020. Organizations on the Qualified Researcher List will receive Problem Statements in January generated by the VTrans Technical Staff Champions that are matched to the submitted research project ideas. Research teams interested in responding to a specific research project will submit two page Letters of Interest by the end of January.
 
For questions regarding project submissions or the Qualified Researcher List, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] 
Upcoming Events & Research Opportunities

NETC Wants Your Research Project Statements
The New England Transportation Consortium (NETC) is currently soliciting research problem statements of interest to the six New England States. To be considered, research ideas must be supported by a State Department of Transportation and submitted to NETC before January 22, 2021. Learn more about the submittal process here. 

The 2021 TRB Conference Goes Virtual
This year the Annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) Conference will be held virtually in January. There is no better way to start the new year than to engage with others from around the country and learn about different topics. The VTrans Research Section will be holding a meeting December 2nd to discuss how to make the most of the meetings and help you schedule. VTrans’ staff must work with their supervisors to develop TRB Participation Plans. Speak with your supervisor to see if TRB is right for you and register now here.

To join our TRB 2021 planning meeting on December 2, 2020, please reach out to [email protected]. For those unable to participate on Dec 2nd, the meeting will be recorded and posted on the VTrans Research Website.
Every Day Counts Summit & Innovation Exchange

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is holding a virtual Every Day Counts (EDC-6) Summit and Innovation Exchange on December 8-10. To learn more about EDC-6 Innovations visit FHWA’s Every Day Counts website. Those interested in attending the EDC-6 Summit and Innovation Exchange can register here.
FEATURED PROJECTS FOR THE QUARTER
Each quarter we highlight research projects and innovations happening throughout Vermont and New England.
Upgrading VTrans’ Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE)
VTrans inspects 9,600 small culverts each year and the newly upgraded HIVE makes low-cost culvert inspections easier than ever.
Shoring up Vermont’s Gravel Roads with Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS)
Diverting some of the 25,000 tons of wasted asphalt shingles to create a RAS/gravel mix is good for the planet.
Monitoring the Structural Health of Bridges using Fiber Optic Sensing Technology
Learn how new sensing systems for Structural Health Monitoring can reduce maintenance costs over time.
Leveraging High-Resolution LiDAR and Stream Geomorphic Assessment Datasets to Expand Regional Hydraulic Geometry Curves (RHGCs) for Vermont
Improving prediction ability and reducing estimation uncertainty with RHGCs could mean greater resilience during extreme flood events.
Hartland Bridge Replacement Project uses Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) Technology – a first in Vermont!
Using GRS-IBS technology could extend the life of bridges while reducing maintenance and minimizing impacts to the traveling public.
Revolutionizing DOT operations with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
From bridge inspections to traffic monitoring and right-of-way surveys, integrating UAS technology and trainings can save DOTs’ time and money.
Dr. Emily Parkany, PE, Research Manager
Vermont Agency of Transportation | 802.272.6862 | [email protected] http://vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/research