This pooled fund is to facilitate Illinois and Wisconsin coordinating a joint peer exchange, including, but not limited to, hiring consultants to help facilitate and/or arrange the peer exchange.  State DOT Research Sections are required by FHWA to participate in peer exchanges to evaluate, in whole or in part, its RD&T management process periodically (at least every five years) as described in 23 CFR 420.209(a).

The objective of the peer exchange program is to give state DOT Research Programs a means to strategically improve the quality and effectiveness of their research program.  Illinois and Wisconsin will focus on inviting participants from RAC Region 3.  Topics discussed at this peer exchange will mutually benefit both State DOT’s research programs.  Some anticipated outcomes and benefits of the peer exchange include the following:

• State DOT participants sharing information with each other regarding methods and policies for tracking the implementation status of research projects.

• Comparing WisDOT’s methods and policies with other state DOTs on the research project development process and determining best practices for building a ‘shelf’ of research projects.

• Gathering best practices for knowledge management and knowledge transfer from other State DOTs.

• Information sharing and determining best practices for research project management software/systems.

Illinois and Wisconsin will each contribute one time commitment in FFY 2024 of $40,000.