The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is organizing the 11th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on July 12 to 15, 2015. The conference, held every four years, will feature the latest information about low-volume road management, design, construction, safety, maintenance, and many other related topics. At this conference, those who administer, plan, design, build, or maintain low-volume roads will learn innovative ways of managing low-volume road systems. The conference is organized for practitioners worldwide in local, state, and federal agencies; universities; private firms; and international organizations. Previous conferences typically have attracted 250 to 300 transportation professional from around the world. Visit the Conference website at: www.TRB.org/Conferences/2015/11LVR for the most up-to-date information about the conference. The focus of the conference is to share research, case studies, and real experiences from transportation professionals who study and work with low-volume roads.

The focus of this pooled fund project will be to encourage States and other agency participation in the Low Volume Roads Conference. The primary activities of this pooled fund project are technology exchange, information sharing, and the facilitation of partnering relationships among state agencies, FHWA and other appropriate associations. Specifically this pooled fund will: 1. Provide communication and information sharing among member states. Discuss research, development and technology transfer needs in the areas of design, construction, maintenance, and safety on low volume roads and provide research ideas to TRB in connection with the 2015 11th LVR Conference. 2. 11th International Low Volume Roads Conference: Provide a technology and knowledge exchange forum to enhance the practical knowledge of conference participants concerning low volume road management with a focus on encouraging State DOT participation in the conference. 3. State DOT Meeting on Low Volume Road Issues: Provide a technology and knowledge exchange forum focused on State DOT Low Volume Road Issues during a workshop at the conference. Topics may include agency collaboration, funding, asset management, shared ROW/utilities, safety programs, emergency response, training and certifications, maintenance of traffic, federal oversight, standards and specifications, contracting methods, environmental issues, energy development, maintenance, material sources and quality, and bonding.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) will serve as lead state for the execution of this Pooled Fund project. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) will facilitate all administrative duties associated with the project and will invoice the Iowa DOT for reimbursement up to the amount available in the Pooled Fund. . The principle tasks are: 1. The Conference – TRB will organize the LVR conference attended by member states and other interested parties to exchange information on best practices in management of Low Volume Roads. The pooled fund will help support the travel and per diem expenses of invited speakers and trainers from state and local government agencies. The pooled fund will not support private industry personnel travel or expenses. Because the pooled fund will be a primary funding source for the conference and associated sessions, meetings, and speakers, the number of partner states may directly influence the number of expert speakers and related conference sessions and meetings. It is anticipated that individuals from pooled fund partner states may be invited to participate on the Conference Planning Committee Calls. These calls will help in coordinating the State session during a workshop within the conference. 2. Meeting for States – TRB will organize a learning session to be held during the Conference at the same venue as the Conference. The workshop will be for pooled fund partners and other invited states plus invited speakers to discuss State DOT Road Issues related to Low Volume Roads. This is an opportunity for the pooled fund partners to collaborate and share (State DOT) best practices and strategies for overcoming certain challenges. The exchange forum will be held during a workshop session in the Conference due to the anticipated shared expertise and goals of the audiences. The Iowa DOT will coordinate the learning session with other pooled fund partners. The Conference Planning Committee will not be involved in planning the State partner session, though collaboration is expected on venue accommodations and conference program planning. TRB will synchronize the Conference and State member Session. 3. If funds allow, a follow-up post peer exchange webinar will be organized by TRB. The webinar will share highlights from the State member session and include an open forum question/answer discussion. DELIVERABLES Deliverables will include quarterly administrative progress report updates (FHWA standard pooled fund format) and two final reports: a final summary report of the conference and a final report of the State DOT session at the conference. A follow-up webinar may be provided as funds allow. COMMENTS Each pooled fund partner state will have one representative on the pooled fund Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and as such will be partner in TAC conference calls. The TAC conference calls will serve to update partners on planning activities and to collect partner comments to be provided to the Conference and State DOT session planners. The TAC will receive quarterly report updates. FUNDING REQUEST The minimum funding required to support the conference, peer exchange, and technical transfer initiatives is 5 states at $8,000 per state ($40,000). This commitment allows for up to two people per state to travel as part of this pooled fund project. States may send additional attendees through this pooled fund with an additional commitment amount that will cover the cost of registration + $1500 (to cover travel and per-deim expenses). The cost of registration is listed on the conference website at www.trb.org/Conferences/2015/11LVR. More than 5 partner states are desired to expand support towards the conference, peer exchange, and additional technical transfer initiatives.