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MPC to Convene Panels to Focus on Research Topics
As indicated in its strategic plan, the Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC) will begin convening a series of advisory panels in 2008 to help identify key research topics and opportunities.
The first of those panels, focusing on pavements, is expected to meet in a workshop format in early 2008. The second, focusing on bridges and structures, will meet later in the year. Those two topics, respectively, have been identified as top MPC research priorities.
The make-up and structure of the panels and the format for their meetings was determined by the MPC Advisory Committee when it met in Denver Oct. 30-31 to discuss implementation of the consortium's strategic plan.
The panels will include university experts, department of transportation staff, MPC university specialists, and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration and other agencies. The advisory panels will not replace the peer-review project selection process that the MPC has used, but will strengthen it, commented MPC director Denver Tolliver.
"The Advisory Committee will continue to provide on-going guidance and input to ensure that the center addresses the educational, research, and workforce development needs of the region," Tolliver notes. "The advisory panels will provide detailed input on project selection. It will formalize the input process from our stakeholders.
"There will be a two-fold benefit to this approach," remarked Tolliver. "The first will be the synergy of bringing these people together to brainstorm on common concerns and opportunities. The second will be to raise awareness among DOT staff and others, of the research capabilities within the MPC."
Those attending the advisory committee included: Christine Johnson (FHWA Region 8) and Craig Larson (FHWA Colorado), Dave Huft (SDDOT), Delbert McOmie (WYDOT), Peggy Catlin (CDOT), Peter Martin (University of Utah), Richard Gutkowski (CSU), Nadim Wehbe (SDSU), Khaled Ksaibati (University of Wyoming), Denver Tolliver (NDSU), Brenda Lantz (NDSU), John McGowan (NDSU) and Jody Bohn (NDSU).
