MPC
Research Projects (1999-00)

Identifying Number

MPC-187

Project Title

Survey of the Educational and Human Capital Needs of the Transportation Construction Industry

University

North Dakota State University

Project Investigator

Ossama M. Salem
North Dakota State University
(701)231-7246
o.salem@ndsu.edu

External Project Contact

N/A

Project Objective

The objective of this proposed research project is to identify the educational and human capital needs for the U.S. road construction industry through the design and development of a national survey, and the analysis of the feedback results.

Project Abstract

The major impediment to the development and implementation of new safe and productive techniques and technologies in the U.S. transportation construction industry is that there is no coordinated effort to define the educational and research needs, to communicate these needs to research organizations, and to communicate the research outcomes back to the industry. In order for the academia to efficiently serve the industry and consequently, the public, a model for fostering innovation in terms of productivity, quality, and safety improvement should be developed and implemented in the construction industry. This includes a systematic, scientific approach for defining the industry needs for knowledge, research, and human capital improvement. This project will identify the educational and human capital needs for the U.S. road construction industry through the design and development of a national survey, and the analysis of the feedback results.

Task Descriptions

• Task 1 – Review literature.
• Task 2 – Develop survey contents and determine the target sample.
• Task 3 – Form a focus group and test survey with representatives from the local highway construction companies.
• Task 4 – Refine the survey's questions.
• Task 5 – Prepare the contact address list (around 2,000 companies nationwide)
• Task 6 – Mail or e-mail the survey, and post it on the web.
• Task 7 – Enter and analyze survey results.
• Task 8 – Recommend actions and write report.

Milestones, Dates

• Starting Data: September 1, 1999
• Mail National Survey: February 1, 2000
• Analyze Results: May 1, 2000
• Ending Date: August 31, 2000

Yearly and Total Budget

$10,000

Student Involvement (e.g. Thesis, Assistantships, Paid Employment)

One Graduate Student

Relationship to Other Research Projects

N/A

Technology Transfer Activities

The outcomes of this research will be in the form of detailed information and statistics regarding the road and transportation construction industry's educational, research, and human capital needs. Also, the survey results will be used to prioritize university research activities to best fit the industry needs.

Potential Benefits of the Project

The survey results will be used to develop an educational improvement program for road and transportation constructors through the education and research committee of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

TRB Keywords

Education, training, roadway construction, construction management, project management