Outreach Activities in Support of the Missouri S&T National UTC

Status

Sequential Number

Identification Number

Matching Research Agency

Principal Investigator

Student Involvement

Students will be invited to participate in all outreach activities coordinated for the UTC.

Project Objective

Project Abstract

Outreach efforts will fall within the following areas:

  1.  Coordination of transportation research for MoDOT and MTI in the theme areas of:  Structures, Geotechnical, and Environmental Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
In coordination with the Missouri S&T National UTC, the Missouri S&T Center for Engineering Infrastructure Studies (CIES), and the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) School of Engineering, MTI has proposed a long-term research program within the identified theme areas.  The PI will coordinate meetings with MoDOT leadership to develop the long term research program, will disseminate information from MoDOT to Missouri S&T faculty members, and will seek out national level research opportunities within the theme areas.

2. Annual Transportation Conference Planning
In order to provide partnership opportunities, technology transfer forums, and to further the strategic goals of the UTC, the PI will coordinate an annual transportation research conference focused on the following areas, as identified in the MST UTC Strategic Plan:

• Advanced materials including constructed facilities security, which will involve several tasks:

The development, manufacture, and application of modern construction materials

Installation processes and engineering design

Standardization and code approval of products and design protocols

• Transition-state fuel vehicle infrastructure leading to a hydrogen economy, which will require two critical tasks, as follows:

Development of safety codes, standards, and regulations

Infrastructure development and deployment

• Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies and methods including monitoring and evaluation of new and repaired structures and system components.

MTI will provide conference coordination and execution to include: Theme development, identification and collection of conference fees, selection and reservation of an appropriate conference venue, selection and invitation to appropriate speakers, coordination of registration activities, and development of evaluation techniques to determine success toward meeting conference goals. MTI will partner with MoDOT’s Organizational Results Division and the Missouri LTAP to deliver the annual transportation conference. The conference will be held in October 2008.

3. Monthly Seminars/Lecture Series
In order to increase both Technology Transfer and partnership opportunities, MTI will coordinate monthly seminars with industry, MoDOT, USDOT, FHWA, and others engaged in the transportation field. Coordination and execution of monthly seminars will include:  selection of topics, speaker coordination, venue selection, advertising, coordination of luncheons and other side meetings with guest speakers, registration, and evaluation. 

4. Partnerships with Industry, MoDOT, US DOT, other state DOTs, and local government agencies
MTI will actively solicit partnership opportunities with consulting and construction firms engaged in transportation activities; as well as with MoDOT, US DOT, other state DOT’s, and local government agencies.  The goal of these partnership opportunities will be:

• Master research agreements which provide opportunities for matching funds
• New research opportunities
• Internship and co-op opportunities for students interested in the transportation field
• Technology transfer opportunities

Task Description

Anticipated Benefits

Modal Orientation

Milestones

Relationship to other Research/Projects

Technology Transfer Activities

Transportation Research Board Keywords