University Research Center Phase 2 (Study on Re-Establishing a Relationship211 between the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona State 211 Universities)

摘要

The study team established that there is consensus that the quality of technical211u001eresearch currently being done at the universities in Arizona and at the Arizona 211u001eDepartment of Transportation (ADOT) is generally of very high quality. The 211u001eperception also exists that there is a need for more. The majority of focus group 211u001eparticipants felt that an Arizona Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) could 211u001ehelp to coordinate policy development in transportation. While some opposition to 211u001ethis idea was expressed, the majority belief was that a consolidation of research 211u001ecould be accomplished and is a desirable goal. If an ATRI is established it 211u001eshould be a broad based entity that consists of a consortium of the three state 211u001euniversities with strong public and private sector participation and oversight. 211u001eThe state and its political subdivisions, the universities and the private sector 211u001eneed to be represented on any institute's board of directors. The ATRI would need 211u001eto be funded in the long run by a permanent funding mechanism that includes 211u001eallocations from the U.S. Department of Transportation, appropriations from the 211u001estate's general fund through 'decision packages' by the legislative 211u001eappropriations process for the three state universities and private sector 211u001econtributions. Before making a final decision on whether to implement an ATRI, it 211u001eis recommended that the originally planned phase 3 of the university-based 211u001eresearch center project be initiated. Phase 3 entails the appointment of an 211u001einterim director whose primary task during the 12 month span of his appointment 211u001ewill be to solicit private sector financial support for the propsective ATRI.