The overall goal of the RTI Technology Transfer program is to make research results available to potential users in formats that can be directly implemented, utilized or otherwise applied. Through its technology transfer activities and initiatives, RTI is recognized locally, nationally and globally as a source of essential, leading edge technical knowledge that enhances the development of new transportation products and technologies.
Appropriate modes of interdisciplinary technology transfer include, but are not limited to:
Publication of research papers, technical reports and a newsletter
Transfer and licensing of intellectual property consistent
with the guidelines and objectives of RITA and the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980.
Practical and commercially relevant workshops and industry
specific seminars that impact the economy
Pre-K-12 and community outreach activities organized and conducted
through partnerships
An interactive website
As opportunities arise to leverage applied research, RTI also partners with the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Council of University Transportation Centers, the Federal Highway Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, state Departments of Transportation, as well as professional organizations and academia to sponsor national conferences and seminars on transportation and economic development.
The RTI Technology Transfer program also supports the Strategic Goals
in the DRAFT DOT Strategic Plan 2010-2015, April 15, 2010 5:
http://www.dot.gov/stratplan/dot_strategic_plan_10-15.pdf
SAFETY: Improve public health and safety by reducing transportation-related
fatalities and injuries.
STATE OF GOOD REPAIR: Ensure the U.S. proactively maintains
its critical transportation infrastructure in a state of good repair.
ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS: Promote transportation policies and
investments that bring lasting and equitable economic benefits to the Nation
and its citizens.
LIVABLE COMMUNITIES: Foster livable communities through place-based
policies and investments that increase transportation choices and access
to transportation services.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: Advance environmentally sustainable
policies and investments that reduce carbon and other harmful emissions
from transportation sources.
Specific RTI Technology Transfer program goals are to:
Disseminate research results
Commercialize research results
Maintain and advance external partnerships
Provide outreach activities
Mission and vision statement
Mission statement: To make research results available to
potential users in a form that can be directly implemented, utilized, or
otherwise applied.
Vision statement: To make RTI recognized beyond the Appalachian
Region as a source of essential technical knowledge that enhances the development
of new transportation products and systems.
Goal Area: Disseminate research results
Goal Statement: To make a technology transfer element an integral
part of each funded project
Objective (1): Principal Investigators will present research
results in at least one transportation-focused conference
Strategies: Reserve at least 5%
of each projects budget for travel
Attend research and educational development conferences (TRB or ASEE)
Reveal new approaches and advances directly to state and regional
agencies
Objective (2): Principal Investigators will publish research
results in at least one refereed transportation-focused journal
Strategies: Promote information transfer as the final step in
the scientific method
Publish results in NTIS, TRB and other professional journals
Distribute final reports through the RTI website, and provide visible
links to RITA databases and proceedings of national and regional symposia,
forums and meetings
Objective (3): RTI will disseminate transportation research results
in forums
Strategies: Develop practical and commercially relevant transportation
workshops, seminars and conferences for stakeholders and practitioners
Deliver appropriate Transportation Professional Development (TPD)
opportunities and sponsor a free Transportation Seminar Series (TSS)
Strategically select conferences to sponsor or co-sponsor with appropriate
public and private partners to maximize utilization of resources
Goal Area: Commercialize research results
Goal Statement: To develop transportation research results into
practical and commercially relevant applications and products to affect
positive and proactive change
Objective (1): Establish RTI as a source of interdisciplinary
scientific and technical knowledge that enhances human and financial capital
Strategies: Promote commercialization of Intellectual Property
(IP) opportunities consistent with the guidelines and objectives of RITA
and the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980
React to unique commercialization opportunities that foster economic
development as they arise
Evaluate opportunities for commercialization of research results
and discoveries with the Marshall University Technology Transfer Office
Objective (2): Support the national strategy for surface transportation
research and/or respond to US Department of Transportation priorities
Strategies: Contribute to changes in requirements, laws, regulations
or product design
Develop prototypes to prove the functionality of the technology that
is the innovation
Optimize the scale of the product for appropriate markets
Objective (3): Support commercialization of research and entrepreneurship
Strategies: Work with public and private stakeholders to help
promote start-up companies and create high-tech, high-paying jobs
Recommend changes in public policy and research funding to advance
commercialization of university research
License software and patents to protect property and generate revenue
Goal Area: Maintain and advance external partnerships
Goal Statement: To maintain and advance external relationships
to increase the quantity and quality of products/applications/deployments
to industry
Objective (1): Increase input from other entities
to guide RTI research activities
Strategies: Identify industry
specific problems and deploy appropriate solutions
Commercialize RTI experience as a consultant
Streamline processes to increase productivity and competitiveness
Objective (2): Increase the number of external partners,
especially co-sponsors
Strategies: Identify long-term
funding sources to help meet and sustain RTI goals
Increase the number of patent applications and patent disclosures
Increase the number of deployments
Objective (3): Increase RTI visibility by serving as liaison
with other transportation entities, universities, agencies and planning
groups
Strategies: Use transportation policy and planning decisions to encourage
economic diversification
Contribute to strategic planning for land use and sustainable economic
development activities, and intermodal transportation networks to improve
mobility and expand markets
Serve on TRB or other Professional Committees and Boards
Goal Area: Provide outreach activities
Goal Statement: To integrate academic and workforce development
programs to provide knowledge and skills workers need for sustainable employment
Objective (1): Serve as a liaison between business and
public agencies to facilitate partnerships for training, custom curriculum
development, technology transfer, and funding opportunities to eventually
make training self-sustainable from revenues
Strategies: Help employers determine specific training needs
and create training programs to meet those needs
Deliver instruction at the workplace, RTI headquarters in Huntington,
or Marshall University Graduate College in South Charleston
Survey business/industry to determine specific training needs
Objective (2): Provide authentic place-based Pre-K-12 programs,
events and Web-based tools to assist students in exploring science, technology,
engineering, math and communication concepts related to transportation
Strategies: Concentrate experiential efforts in West Virginia school
systems to develop the next generation of transportation professionals
Design and deliver age-appropriate hands-on LEGO robotics classroom
activities built around sustainable community development/after school
activities/day camps/tournaments
Customize training opportunities for classroom teachers to acquire
skills and leverage resources in a collaborative environment; facilitate
efforts to incorporate robotics into the West Virginia classroom curriculum
Objective (3): Promote age-appropriate activities that build
strong communities and improve the quality of life
Strategies: Lead and provide in-kind support for outreach events
that integrate the health, safety, education and cultural activities to
transportation and economic development efforts
Support non-motorized recreation and wellness activities
Support transportation safety activities
July 2011