Working with Mike Bronzini’s draft list of research areas (now to be called ISSUE AREAS based on the new TRB guidelines) I have tried to structure them into a smaller set of categories that can serve as theme areas (item 4 in the new guidelines).  The criteria guiding this effort were as follows:

          a. A small workable list (eight seemed typical among the other 
              R&T work groups)
          b. A list that can be mapped to the Issues (Bronzini Research 
              Categories) list 
          c. A comprehensive list where everything can have a place
          d. A set of names that are readable and will attract interest
          e. A set of subject groupings where one knowledgeable person 
              could undertake a write-up in each area.
 

THE PROPOSED THEME AREAS ARE:

 1. (INTERACTIONS OF) TRANSPORTATION AND THE 
     ECONOMY

 2. (INTERACTIONS OF) TRANSPORTATION WITH SOCIETY

 3. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS

 4. THE STATE OF THE SYSTEM  (SYSTEM MONITORING)

 5. SYSTEM FINANCE AND EQUITY/EFFICIENCY

 6. INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

 7. POLICY DATA NEEDS

 8. ANALYTICAL TOOLS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPMENT 
 

These eight are obviously open to some refinement and modification. If we added or subtracted one or so it would not be a big problem. Some of the tougher decisions are whether data and tools should be separate, merged, or embedded in other theme areas. I have chosen separate to give them clearer emphasis.  The subject of Corridors is a question mark.  I put it in Institutions but it could go in a number of places or even have its own theme category. Whatever we do we must settle on the themes quickly so that assignments can be made.  (Any one suggesting a new theme area is an automatic prime candidate to undertake that task!)
 

 
             The present 16 issue areas (Categories of Research) have been mapped into these 8 categories, adding some new verbiage along the way. 

The mapping goes like this:
 

SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH CATEGORIES:  AEP VERSION 1

 1. INTERACTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION WITH THE 
     ECONOMY
            IMPACT OF INVESTMENTS
            FREIGHT TRENDS (8)
            INTERACTIONS WITH GLOBAL TRADE  (12)
            TRANS AND ECONOMY (13)
            TRANS AND EMPLOYMENT
 

2. INTERACTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION WITH SOCIETY
            UNDERSTANDING EMERGING DEMAND SEGMENTS
            SPECIALIZED NICHE MARKETS (2)
            RURAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS  (6)
            ASSESSING PUBLIC PREFERENCES  (5)
 

3. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS
            SAFETY INTERACTIONS
            ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS  (15)
            ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
 

4. THE STATE OF THE SYSTEM  
            EXTENT CAPACITY CONDITION AND USE (16)
            SYSTEM COSTS, USER TRAVEL TIMES (1)
            PERFORMANCE
            SYSTEM REHABILITATION
 

5.  SYSTEM FINANCE AND EQUITY/EFFICIENCY
            COST ALLOCATION STUDIES
            SIZE AND WEIGHT STUDIES
            REVENUE FORECASTING  (14)
 

6. INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS (11)
            NEW INSTITUTIONS
            EDUCATION AND TRAINING
                       MULTISTATE CORRIDORS (7)
 

7.  POLICY DATA NEEDS 
 BETTER DATA AND DATA METHODS (3)
 

8. ANALYTICAL TOOLS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPMENT 
            MULTIMODAL PLANNING (9)
            EXPANDED ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS
            LAND USE ASSESSMENT (4)