| Relevance |
•
All program elements contribute to Departmental
and FRA goals. |
| • Developed with other DOT agencies and key stakeholders, a
five-year strategic plan outlines a vision for the future and the
technologies needed to realize it. |
| • The TRB Committee for Review of the FRA Research,
Development, and Demonstration Programs provides annual prospective and
retrospective review. |
| • Other inputs to the RD&T planning process include
coordination with the FRA's Office of Safety, the American Public
Transportation Association Research Needs Conference, the Highway-Railroad
Grade Crossing Research Needs Conference, and the Association of American
Railroads Railway Technology Working Committee and Tank Car Committee. |
| Quality |
•
The FRA awards research contracts and grants on
a competitive basis to the greatest extent possible. |
| • The TRB conducts periodic peer reviews of the FRA programs
that address (1) the management structure and approach; (2) the direction and
allocation of funds; and (3) the appropriate balance of Federal, state, and
private sector inputs and costs. |
| Performance |
•
Inputs are tracked via an annual procurement
plan; monthly obligations reports; and monthly progress reports that track
actual vs. planned technical accomplishments, costs, and schedules. |
| • All FRA RD&T contributes to the goals in the FRA's and
Department's annual
performance plans; the FRA is developing annual and long-term measures and
targets to accurately assess the progress of its RD&T in meeting these
goals. |
| • The DOT Performance and
Accountability Report provides a public
accounting of FRA performance against the goals in the previous year's
performance plan. |
