Expert Task Groups in the Research Process

About Expert Task Groups

The Department’s priority areas and goals are represented by seven Expert Task Groups (ETG). ETGs review and rank Research Needs Statements (RNS) submitted by NDOT personnel and recommend potential research projects for consideration by the Research Management Committee (RMC). The composition of each ETG is determined per cycle. ETGs are comprised of NDOT personnel with significant knowledge of their division or district.

ETGs analyze, rate, review and provide expert commentary for RNS to ensure they align with NDOT’s mission and goals and have the potential to offer significant benefit to the Department. All ETG ratings and commentary remain strictly confidential and anonymous.

Should the RMC decide that an RNS should move forward to the solicitation phase, the ETG again rates and reviews all Research Proposals submitted by professional researchers. This information is provided to the RMC to make a final decision about which (if any) proposals should be funded. ETG analysis is vital in helping the RMC make informed decisions.

Research ETGs

• ETG 1: Planning for Zero Fatalities
  Objective: Facilitate research and development efforts to aid planning for and achieving
  zero fatalities in Nevada.
  
  
• ETG 2: Better Design of Roads and Bridges
  Objective: Facilitate research and development efforts aimed at improving current NDOT
  practices in Roadway and Structural design methods and processes.
  
  
• ETG 3: Sustainable Infrastructure and Maintenance
  Objective: Facilitate research and development efforts towards sustainable transportation
  infrastructure and sustainable maintenance practices in Nevada.
  
  
• ETG 4: Efficient and Safer Traffic Operations
  Objective: Facilitate research and development efforts that can significantly improve current
  NDOT practices resulting in a more efficient and safer transportation network in Nevada.
  
  
• ETG 5: Efficient Multimodal Mobility
  Objective: Facilitate research and development efforts that advance multimodal mobility options in Nevada.
  
  
• ETG 6: Better Project Delivery
  Objective: Facilitate research and development efforts that can significantly improve project
  delivery at NDOT.
  
  
• ETG 7: Transformative Transportation Technologies
  Objective: Facilitate innovation that leverages technologies and has the potential to
  transform the transportation system in Nevada.
  

Volunteering for an ETG

NDOT Research welcomes interested volunteers to serve on ETGs. ETGs are broad-based and multidisciplinary, so we encourage volunteers from all Divisions and Districts. The exact composition of ETGs changes every cycle so we cannot guarantee that every volunteer will be able to join an ETG every cycle. However, we will happily take your name and try to find a place for you on an ETG as soon as possible! The time commitment for serving on an ETG varies depending on how many RNS/proposals we receive.

We welcome your participation! If you are interested in volunteering for an ETG, or have questions, please contact Mitch Ison, Research Coordinator, or Melissa DeMattei, Research Analyst.