Transit Solutions You Can Use
The mobility, environmental, and energy objectives of a growing population and economy calls for public transportation systems in the United States to expand their services and improve their efficiency. Practical research that yields near-term results can do much to help – by solving operational problems, adopting useful technologies from related industries and, in general, finding ways for the public transportation industry to innovate. The Transit Cooperative Research Program is a key instrument for carrying out such useful research. The program places primary emphasis on putting the results in the hands of organizations and individuals that can use them to solve problems.

The Program’s Participants — Including You
TCRP is funded by the public, through the Federal Transit Administration and is governed by an independent board – the TCRP Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Committee. The TOPS Committee sets priorities to decide what research studies will be undertaken. On January 12, 1999, the current memorandum agreement outlining TCRP’s operating procedures was executed by the three cooperating organizations: the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); the National Academies, acting through the Transportation Research Board (TRB); and the Transit Development Corporation, Inc. (TDC), a nonprofit educational and research organization established by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

The day-to-day management of the TCRP program is the responsibility of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies.

As a transit professional, your input is crucial to the success of TCRP as a cooperative research program, either as an independent source of suggestions for new transit research or as a volunteer for the expert panels that guide each project. There are many dedicated individuals whose ideas, energies and professionals skills make TCRP work for everyone. As TCRP moves forward, we hope you and your organization will play an active role.

The Kinds of Studies TCRP Conducts
Original TCRP study projects and the publications that result fall into principal fields of transit interest. This includes opportunities and problems in:

A. Operations
B. Service Configuration
C. Engineering of vehicles and equipment
D. Engineering of fixed facilities
E. Maintenance
F. Human Resources
G. Administration
H. Policy and Planning
J. Special Projects

A ninth area, designated “J’” is reserved for special studies, such as legal studies and synthesis of transit practice studies, which identify and document the best practices in the industry. (Go to Order Site)

Dissemination
To ensure that research has its desired impact, TCRP established a Dissemination Program, which is managed by the American Public Transportation Association. APTA publicizes and promotes the research program, and distributes reports and other finished products to the transit community. Please contact Peggy Wilson at 202-496-4861, or by email at tcrp@tcrponline.org at the American Public Transportation Association if you have any questions or comments about the research program and how you can get involved.