State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) face common challenges related to inconsistency, efficiency, and changing technology in traffic analysis, including the proper application of tools and use of new data sources. States may need specialized resources or technical capacity to solve complex, evolving analysis problems. Pooled financial, professional, and academic resources are needed to research improved and more consistent methods, to strengthen analytical capacity, to reduce duplication of research efforts, and to increase communication of research ideas and activities.

The primary objective of the Traffic Analysis Roundtable (TAR) is to establish and support a FHWA-supported, CDOT-led standing collaborative forum to identify and prioritize shared traffic analysis research needs/topics, coordinate strategic research planning, and strengthen implementation of traffic analysis tools, data, and practices across participating State DOTs.

A) Program governance and administration activities:

1. Facilitate at least six (6) virtual meetings each year (agenda development, slide decks, meeting management and minutes, outcome documentation, and next steps).
2. Facilitate four (4) virtual steering committee meetings each year (agenda development, slide decks, meeting management and minutes, outcome documentation, and next steps).
3. Facilitate one (1) in-person peer exchange each year (travel arrangement and reimbursement, agendas, topic prioritization, demonstrations, workshops, meeting moderation, reporting, and any other required documentation).
4. Development and management of a knowledge exchange hub including a topic prioritization and status matrix, proposed research log, communication logs, centralized communication, and documentation repository.
5. Coordination of external engagement with national bodies and conference organizations (TRB, AASHTO, ITE, tool providers, data providers).

B) Activities to define shared needs and priorities at virtual and in-person meetings:

1. Prioritize transportation needs and identify common traffic analysis research topics or challenges.
2. Identify, share, and support technology of mutual interest, proposing and funding priority research projects.
3. Submit research topics to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and member state research programs.

C) Support Workforce Development: To strengthen analytical capacity by supporting technology transfer through best practices development, mentorship, and identifying training opportunities through FHWA, modeling software vendors, or other transportation departments for participating state staff. 

• The minimum expected annual contribution is $10,000/year. This will cover travel for one person to attend the annual peer exchange. States can contribute $12,500/year to cover travel for two people. Refunds of money at the end of the pooled fund will be based on total funds contributed, not the number of peer exchange participants.
• Once the minimum commitment has been met, TAR will continue to accept new members. Five-year commitment at $10,000 per year is preferred for future planning purposes. Less than five-year commitments are welcomed as well. 
• A matching funds waiver to allow for 100% SP&R funding for this study has been requested.