Agency Director Dennis Christiansen outlined an aggressive, five-year proposal focused on growing research in areas new to TTI as well as strengthening the agency’s relationship with TxDOT and federal sponsors. Christiansen outlined the plan during his regular Question and Answer session with employees Sept. 11.
Christiansen says the plan is needed as a result of a first-ever decline in annual TTI research expenditures. He said 2012 research expenditures will be about the same as last fiscal year, with no growth.
“If we start declining in size and don’t continue to grow and be vibrant, one of two things is going to happen: the Texas A&M System will combine us with TEES, or the Texas Legislature will combine us with TEES,” Christiansen said. “So, if we want to remain as a separate state agency, which is really critical to what we do, we really must have growth.”
Christiansen outlined what he called a “straw man” proposal, which seeks feedback from TTI staff on the best ways to expand TTI each year through 2017. He said growth is essential in order to provide employees with job security, merit raises, leadership opportunities and new initiatives.
“The non-traditional, non-DOT funded research is where the growth is. If we are going to grow at three to five-percent a year, it will have to come from someplace other than traditional transportation funds,” he said.
In the proposal, three executive-level employees are developing business plans to focus on the three areas of TTI research: TxDOT research, non-TxDOT transportation research, and non-traditional research. Heading up the TxDOT plan will be Bill Stockton; the non-TxDOT transportation initiative will be led by Katie Turnbull; and the non–traditional efforts will be headed up by Ed Seymour. Christiansen proposed that up to six researchers, yet to be determined, devote half of their time to building relationships and investigating research opportunities for the non-traditional sector.
“We have the people, we have the skills, and we have the ability to do all this stuff,” Christiansen assured the crowd. “We can come back here in five years as a much more diverse and well-funded entity with established relationships in a lot of places where we don’t have them right now. We have the researchers who can do it, but they are over-committed, and that’s why we have to free up their time to do this.”
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Earlier in the Q&A, Christiansen addressed numerous issues as the 2013 fiscal year gets underway.
He informed employees that TTI will try to capitalize on its good relationship with the Texas Legislature this session by asking for an additional $5.2 million in appropriated funds to conduct research that specifically addresses legislative initiatives and requests related to transportation. The Institute currently receives $7.2 million from the state, but as a result of the Legislature’s positive view of TTI, Christiansen said the Institute has a good chance of receiving a significant increase in state funding.
He also touched upon the numerous recent changes within the Texas Department of Transportation and how that might affect TTI. “The world is changing at TxDOT, and the people making decisions on research have never been involved in research before. It might turn out really well because I think we can be more flexible and more responsive than other universities and do things more timely. And I think that’s what TxDOT is looking for,” he said.
As for TTI’s name change to The Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the director urged everyone to accept it and move forward. “In my view, when the Board of Regents made its decision the debate ended. Our biggest competitors are The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and The University of Michigan Transportation Institute. They are doing well with their university name in their name and we will too.” He also urged everyone to use the new standardized e-mail signatures on their correspondence.
During the Q&A, Executive Associate Agency Director Don Bugh reminded everyone who charges time to research projects that they have until Sept. 30 to complete a Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement, which is part of new federal regulations regarding conflicts of interest in research. Further, he said the Office of Sponsored Research Services will not set up a project until all those working on the project have completed the required conflict of interest training and submitted the disclosure statement.
Christiansen mentioned the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) which began Sept. 1. Employee donations are made through the Single Sign-On account, with TTI’s 2012 goal of $16,900. “I encourage all of you to get involved and participate by making a contribution to make sure TTI gets to and exceeds its fundraising goal.”