Examples of Basic Research 



An example of a basic technical research prob- 

 lem under this definition concerns advanced fixed- 

 guideway systems. The range of potential applica- 

 tions of fixed-guideway systems is broad. In urban 

 areas, potential applications run the gamut from 

 circulation systems in high-density areas to high- 

 speed arterial systems serving the major activity 

 centers of a metropolitan region. In intercity trans- 

 portation, the potential applications include high- 

 speed passenger systems, freight systems, and 

 multipurpose systems serving both passengers and 

 freight. 



Guideway and related costs would constitute a 

 major component of any high-speed fixed guide- 

 way system currently conceived. Further, the rela- 

 tive merits and drawbacks of different vehicle/ 

 guideway concepts are far from being fully under- 

 stood. Basic research in the various aspects of 

 fixed guideway technology would form a body of 

 knowledge from which to draw in planning specific 

 systems in the future. 



A second example of basic research at DOT is 

 the research into advanced techniques for solving 

 large-scale network flow problems. Large-scale 

 networks are inherent in many transportation 

 areas, including urban traffic planning and manage- 

 ment, railroad route coverage, and future air net- 

 work evolution. These areas share the difficulties 

 in the manipulation and solution of large-scale 

 network problems, and thus all would benefit from 

 new ways to solve those problems. The mathemat- 

 ical aspects of large-scale network flow are com- 

 plex, and new techniques would contribute to 

 transportation theory as well as application. 



The behavioral and economic sciences offer a 

 third example: Research into the impacts of trans- 

 portation upon the spatial distribution of economic 

 and social activities, either regionally or nationally. 

 Increased understanding of the relationships be- 

 tween transportation, spatial form, and quality of 

 life can aid in evaluating alternatives which may 

 significantly change transportation characteristics. 

 DOT also supports some basic research through 

 its university research program, which was initiat- 

 ed about four years ago. DOT funds individual 

 contracts with universities and other institutions of 

 higher education for specific research projects 

 proposed in response to general DOT solicitations 

 for transportation-related research. While the 

 number of contracts varies each year (147 funded 

 in the 4-year history of the program), at least some 

 involve research activities that can be classified as 

 basic research. 



Current and Future Research 

 Emphasis 



The above examples, drawn from the engineer- 

 ing, mathematical, and social sciences, illustrate the 

 nature of transportation basic research and its po- 

 tential role in support of the Department's various 

 missions. However, these examples are not major 

 research efforts. Because basic research forms 

 only a small portion of the Department's total R& 

 D activities and DOT does not conduct a continu- 

 ous or systematic R&D program of basic research, 

 there is no need to expand on areas of current or 

 future research emphasis, other than the brief 

 examples given above. 



Organization and Management of 

 Scientific Activities 



Because DOT conducts very little basic re- 

 search, the organization and management of such 

 programs do not follow a rigid institutional frame- 

 work or strict guidelines. Recognition and incor- 

 poration of basic research in mission agency pro- 

 grams must come from a commitment by agency 

 heads, the Office of Management and Budget, and 

 Congress that basic research programs are valid 

 line items and not "strawmen" that can be cut in 

 lean times. By its nature, basic research needs 

 both a sense of continuity and a sustained commit- 

 ment more than it requires any specific annual 

 funding level. 



The mechanism for initiation of basic research 

 grows out of a formal review process by which the 

 agency seeks to determine how it will meet its 

 long-term objectives. Such a review inevitably 

 leads to consideration of various options which in 

 turn generate research requirements. At this point, 

 priorities are established on the basis of greatest 

 need and/or judgments on technical feasibility. 

 Often, a "critical path" can be established if the 

 research involves several intermediate steps. Cost- 

 benefit analyses are seldom useful in establishing 

 priorities for basic research. 



Termination mechanisms should be built in to 

 the initiation mechanism; that is, a set of criteria 

 for the basic research should be established to 

 enable a decision to be made on whether the re- 

 search at a given point can move to development, 

 or be reduced or cancelled. The Department uses a 

 "hand-off'" mechanism under which an advanced 

 research project reaches a stage where it can be 

 transferred to a modal agency. If the results of the 

 research do not look promising, and further fund- 



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TRANSPORTATION 



