Transportation Technology Transportation Technology Exchange GloballyExchange Globally

Presented by: Kay NordstromU.S. Dept. of TransportationatU.S./East Africa WorkshopArusha, TanzaniaAugust 26 – 27, 2009

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Technology Exchange

• “The process by which existing knowledge, facilities or capabilities are utilized to fulfill public and/or private needs.”

• Contributes to:

•Creating the condition for sustainable development

•Creating the environment that promotes the exchange of innovations in transportation that stimulate local economic growth and trade

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Technology Transfer Program Technology Transfer Program ActivitiesActivities

Creates an institutional structure for program oversight Establishes a Management Committee Maintains a mailing list Publishes a quarterly newsletter Serves as a clearinghouse for transportation information Provides information on new and existing technologies Conducts training Performs a self‑evaluation.

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Typical Program Typical Program continued…continued…

Technology Transfer (T2) Center operations and activities may vary from center to center.

T2 Center focuses on acquiring, disseminating and facilitating information and training that meet the needs of their stakeholders.– A few of the training areas could include:

institutional change program development road maintenance and construction private sector development contract management

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Role of the Management Role of the Management CommitteeCommittee

Made up of from 8 to 25 members (major stakeholders)

Made up of active transportation professionals and road users

Guides and advances the goals and programs of the center

Acts as an Advisory board to provide the connection to the center’s constituency

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Role of the Management Role of the Management Committee Committee continued…continued…

Meets monthly to annually Reviews budgets, work-plans Selects/promotes training Empowers and encourages the T2 center

Staff

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MC Responsibilities Outside MC Responsibilities Outside the Committeethe Committee

Seeks out and disseminates appropriate technology

Constantly markets the T2 center and its program Outreach to professional organizations, as well as

the public in general, through schools and neighborhood organizations and functions thereby enhancing the public’s knowledge of the center’s services

Explores support through funding and participation in center’s program

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Technology Exchange Centers Technology Exchange Centers in Africain Africa

• South Africa• SANRAL established 1995• CSIR cooperation began 2000• KwaZulu-Natal began 2000

• Tanzania was established 1998• Zimbabwe established 2000• Malawi 2001• Namibia• Zambia• Botswana

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Successful ActivitiesSuccessful Activities

Tanzania:– Hosted the first Africa T2 Conference– Conducted many NHI training courses– Established TRAC programs in secondary

schools– In partnership with FHWA, routinely conducts

video conference seminars (GIS, Road Safety, PPP)

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Successful Activities Successful Activities continued…continued…

South Africa:– Established and expanded TRAC programs in

secondary schools– Kwa-Zulu Natal DOT T2 Center hosted the second

Africa T2 Conference– CSIR T2 Center hosts the ASANRA Regional T2 Center

Malawi:– Hosted the third Africa T2 Conference– Conducts NHI training courses (pavement

rehabilitation etc.)

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Program BenefitsProgram Benefits Access to best practicesLink to international technology arenaGenerates/fosters networking opportunities

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Program BenefitsProgram Benefits continued…continued…

Avoids duplicationBridges the theoretical with the practicalConducts/facilitates appropriate training Builds local capacity

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Program BenefitsProgram Benefits continued…continued…

Promotes institutional development Promotes Regional/National agendas/programs Coordinates various transportation activities Disseminates/implements appropriate technology Addresses relevant needs of the transportation

community

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Requirements for SuccessRequirements for Success

The transportation organization must be willing to assume leadership in technology transfer.

The organization must have visionary and qualified leadership prepared to take new ideas and adapt them to intended purposes

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Requirements for Success Requirements for Success continued…continued…

The organization must have adequate resources to operate a T2 center. This includes staff to conduct the technology programs, library, and clearinghouse functions.

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Requirements for Success Requirements for Success continued…continued…

The center must have a good working relationship with the national transportation ministry.

The organization must demonstrate its ability to independently sustain the program over the long term.

The center must demonstrate its viability and offer its programs with its own resources

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Requirements for Success Requirements for Success continued…continued…

Performance measures must be tied to all activities of the center. The center is expected to develop and implement measurement and evaluation methods to document the extent to which it improves the skills and knowledge of local transportation providers

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Requirements for Success Requirements for Success continued…continued…

A successful outreach to the local audience is essential. Without a well conducted outreach campaign, there will not be the right audience and customers for the center’s services.

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Bottom LineBottom Line Tapping into funding from the various public and

private stakeholders is an evolving and necessary means by which to sustain a center:– Financial investments will be forthcoming if the center

satisfies the needs of the transportation community. – Is crucial to the sustainability of the Center– Will enhance the center’s abilities to contribute to the

harmonization of the transportation network as a whole

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In ConclusionIn ConclusionThe KEY to Sustainability is toThe KEY to Sustainability is to …… ……

Develop and Maintain Collaborative Business Relationships

Integrate stakeholder issues, concerns, and requirements into the strategic planning steps

Institutionalize means to identify primary and secondary stakeholders, and seek involvement of non-traditional stakeholders

Communicate clear, measurable, honest information in progress reports

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