The desired outcome of our research selection program will be to produce a scope of research projects which are responsive to the needs of the region's and state's public and private transportation and transit agencies, USDOT, businesses, and practitioners. Specifically the outcome will be:

• Needs-based research projects which reflect the user's priority needs based on extensive contact and discussion with such users and which reflect Caltrans and USDOT R&D priorities. It is anticipated that the majority of funding will be allocated to such needs-based research projects.

• Field-initiated research projects based on the submission of proposals from qualified research associates

• Projects which will leverage Center funding to expand the Center's research program.

• Research projects that help translate transportation findings and recommendations to a format and methods of presentation, which can be understood and used by transportation policy makers.

These projects will be consistent with the Center theme and focus areas. To support the achievement of the research goals we will establish a peer review process and procedures which are fair, focused on the highest priority projects, and which link our project selection process to the national research, development, and technology priorities of USDOT.