GAO recommends ways DOT can improve research activities

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends that the Department of Transportation (DOT) take additional steps to improve its research activities and reduce potentially wasteful duplication.

The DOT funds research designed to make the nation’s transportation system safer and more efficient. Last year, the DOT had a research budget of more than $1 billion. To meet current research needs, the DOT partners with public and private entities.

The GAO was asked to review the DOT’s research activities. Specifically, it looked at how DOT prioritizes and selects which research activities it will undertake and the extent to which it facilitates research collaboration with external stakeholders. GFAO also examined the extent to which DOT ensures its Research Hub database contains complete and accurate project information.

To improve research activities, GAO recommended that the DOT take steps to ensure the topical research working groups follow all leading collaboration practices. Specifically, the working groups should define and monitor progress toward achieving long-term outcomes, and regularly update and monitor their charters and other written agreements to reflect these outcomes.

Also, the GAO said the DOT should work to ensure the information in the Research Hub is complete and accurate. The DOT concurred with both of GAO’s recommendations.