As a national organization representing state departments of transportation (DOTs) from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the umbrella group for dozens of smaller committees that focus on a range of specific topics. For those working in transportation research, the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) serves as a network and forum for sharing ideas and addressing common challenges.
As the AASHTO RAC is organized into four smaller regional committees, Iowa DOT interacts most with other Midwestern states in RAC Region 3. But each summer, the RAC Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for all members – from every state in the country – to come together to learn from each other.
As a frequent participant and presenter at RAC annual meetings, Iowa DOT’s efforts produce tangible benefits for the state. By exchanging tried and tested strategies with other states, Iowa is able to identify cutting-edge solutions early and put them to work sooner. And involvement in RAC saves Iowa’s taxpayers money, since Iowa DOT can gain efficiencies by coordinating its research goals with federal and other agencies’ transportation initiatives.