In 2005, a consortium of states joined together to pool resources to identify common research needs addressing the design, analysis, testing and evaluation of crashworthy structures including bridge rails, guardrails, transitions, median barriers , break away support structures, etc. Together, they committed over $1 million in research funding over a five year period to fund over 25 projects that are in various stages of completion. Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) is under contract to conduct the research for these projects. Visit the project website to review the studies, videos and other information that has been initiated under this pooled fund program. http://www.roadsidepooledfund.org This research has provided cost effective and timely information to participating states. This solicitation invites states to continue to participate in the Roadside Safety Program and invites other states interested in roadside safety research to join in developing projects for FFY11 and FFY12.

This solicitation invites states to participate in the Roadside Safety Research Program that has the objective to continue a cooperative approach to conducting research on roadside safety features.

The research projects that are currently under contract with TTI will be paid for with /existing funding commitments. This solicitation is for new roadside safety research projects that will be identified and approved by the Roadside Safety Committee. The specific scopes of work are identified in problem statements that are developed by participating member state representatives. The Committee then ranks and selects the projects that are funded and the work is carried out by Texas Transportation Institute. Member states may also develop and fund research projects that are not selected by the Roadside Safety pooled fund states to take advantage of the reduced overhead costs offered under the agreement.

WSDOT will continue to serve as the chair of the Roadside Safety Committee and lead state for contract management. The annual meetings of the Roadside Safety Committee are rotated to member states. The next meeting is scheduled in November 2011 in College Station TX at the Texas Transportation Institute. At a minimum, participating states must commit $25,000 (per year) for two years to participate in this pooled fund program.