The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) has issued a call for study topics for the 2011 Synthesis Program. TCRP will accept suggestions through April 1 from the industry and individuals with an interest in improving the management and operations of transit and in finding solutions to concerns facing the industry.

The purpose of the program reports is to produce a compendium of the best knowledge available on those practices found to be the most successful in resolving specific problems or issues within the transit industry. Syntheses are relatively short, averaging 40-60 pages plus reference materials, and become immediate, useful documents that report on the current practices in the subject.

A project panel that meets on an annual basis performs a preliminary screening and ordering of topics, then makes the final recommendations that are forwarded to the governing board of the Transit Development Corporation (TDC), which also serves as the TCRP Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Committee. Applicants may suggest updates of published syntheses.

Information on the submittal process is available online.

TCRP also is seeking potential study topics to be considered for the Fiscal Year 2012 Research Program. Topics can cover all areas of public transportation, including operations, policy, planning, service configuration, engineering of vehicles and facilities, maintenance, human resources, and administration.

The TOPS Committee will select the research problem statements for this program in the fall. Once the statements are selected, request for proposals will be issued and contractors to conduct the research will be sought through a competitive review process. The TCRP focuses on research that is consistent with, and supportive of, FTA’s strategic research goals and TCRP strategic priorities.

The deadline for submitting suggestions for TCRP reports—typically more in-depth studies released in the form of handbooks, design manuals, and web documents—is June 15. Problem statements can be submitted by e-mail. The outline and instructions for submission are available online.