摘要: |
Transportation agencies spend millions of dollars conducting research to improve their ability to plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate the transportation system. These research projects cover a broad range of topics and use approaches ranging from fully controlled laboratory experiments to field observational studies. Unfortunately, some research projects use inappropriate experimental designs or data analysis techniques thereby increasing costs and decreasing the likelihood of success. There are many excellent university-level texts on experimental design and data analysis, but these are often not well suited to the needs of those involved in state department of transportation (DOT) research. Principal investigators and DOT research program and project managers need practical information that focuses on common problems that DOTs face so that they can make better decisions when planning and conducting research. The objective of this project is to develop guidance for effective experimental design and data analysis for transportation research. |