Ohio Department of Transportation

The meeting included updates on membership changes, the FY2026 Calendar, and OTEC 2025. Status updates were provided on four research projects sponsored by the ORIL program. The board discussed and approved the selection of research agencies for two projects: INFRAME for 'Pavement Condition Rating Method and Use for Local Agencies' and Ohio University for 'Methodology for Assigning Load Factors for AASHTO Rating Vehicle.'

The meeting included updates on projects and a review of program policies and procedures. The board reaffirmed the Guidebook, Standard Operating Procedure, Annual Calendar, ORIL Research Idea Form, and TAC Acknowledgement Form without modifications. The Strategic Research Plan and Research Idea Evaluation & Prioritization were approved with modifications. The FY2027 Idea Solicitation will be open to anyone from July 31, 2025, to September 3, 2025.

The meeting included acknowledgments and introductions for changes in Board membership effective January 1, 2025. Updates were provided on the OTA Winter Conference, the Conaway Conference, and the upcoming OTEC, all in 2025. General updates on the program were shared, and technical updates were given by the Technical Advisory Committee/Board members on four research projects sponsored by the ORIL program. Due to a delay in the FY2026 RFP Posting, the May Board meeting will be rescheduled as a hybrid in-person/virtual Microsoft Teams meeting.

The 2015-2016 Strategic Research Plan for Ohio's Research Initiative for Locals (ORIL) is designed to provide research support to Ohio's local jurisdictions for addressing challenges within the local roadway system. The plan outlines three strategic focus areas: Safety, Renewal / Infrastructure, and Operations & Business Practices. Its overarching goal is to develop, fund, and oversee transportation research projects that meet the needs of local agencies, ensuring the safety and economic well-being of the traveling public through implementable and cost-effective solutions, with a long-term vision for self-sustaining funding.

This Strategic Research Plan for Ohio's Research Initiative for Locals (ORIL) aims to support local jurisdictions in managing their transportation systems through targeted research. It identifies three strategic focus areas: Safety, Infrastructure Preservation, and Operations & Business Practices. The plan's vision is to achieve self-sustaining funding, enabling ORIL to identify, manage, and facilitate strategic research that provides implementable and cost-effective solutions to local transportation challenges, ultimately enhancing the safety and economic well-being of Ohio's traveling public and local agencies.