A Research Advisory Board (RAB) has been assembled to advise the Center director on management procedures and with adherence to a specific merit criteria review in the research project funding selection process. The RAB considers a proposed research project’s intellectual merit: to what extent it advances knowledge and understanding within the Center’s theme areas; and a proposed research project’s potential impacts: how the results will be disseminated and what groups will receive the information.

Members of the RAB were selected based on personal accomplishments, background, and affiliations on a regional and national level. The RAB is representative of all disciplines and departments covered by the Center’s theme and can effectively guide the Center’s course. The following people comprise the Center’s RAB:

The next meeting of the Research Advisory Board is scheduled for October 24, 2008.

With the objective of further broadening the perspective of the RAB, representatives from a District DOT, the Structures Division at FHWA and a DOT representative from outside the State of Missouri are expected to be added before the RAB’s October meeting. The proposed additions are summarized as follows:

• Research Structural Engineer (Structures Division), FHWA, TBA
• State Engineer, Department of Transportation, TBA
• District Engineer, MoDOT, TBA