Message From Dr. Doug Kreis, Director

At KTC December is typically marked by excitement over the upcoming holiday season and is packed with meetings as our researchers begin working with KYTC staff to brainstorm new ideas for the upcoming fiscal year’s research program. It’s important to keep our partners up to date on the work all of our researchers and technology transfer experts are doing to build a better transportation system for Kentucky. Each December, members of the Center’s 13 program areas meet with subject-matter experts from KYTC to develop ideas for the next fiscal year’s SPR program. We began this practice in 2015 with just one program area, but today the brainstorming process is a Center-wide initiative and helps KTC be more responsive to the Cabinet’s research needs. Right now, our researchers are busy synthesizing the outcomes of these brainstorming sessions and preparing abstracts for consideration. My Q3 update will review KTC’s submissions and where the SPR process stands.

Our staff participated in several other notable events throughout the quarter. On November 9, we convened our second KTC Advisory Board meeting of the year in Lexington. We were joined by James Ballinger (State Highway Engineer), representatives from FHWA and KYTC, and Advisory Board members. Along with updating board members on the Center’s fiscal status, the meeting gave program managers the chance to present ongoing research. Across several weeks in November, T2 staff, KTC researchers, and the Cabinet offered the multi-day Construction Project Management Academy in Frankfort. Building off the success of Project Manager’s Boot Camp, this training focuses on building the skills of project engineers so they can excel as supervisors of construction crews. In December, we honored the newest graduates of the Roads Scholar and Road Master programs and launched KTC’s refreshed website.

Calendars in January and February will be overflowing with events such as TRB and the Kentuckians For Better Transportation 45th Annual Transportation Conference. I look forward to updating you on these meetings and KTC’s work in a few months. Until then, take care.