Research & Innovation Implementation System
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The Bureau of Planning and Research is providing this Innovation Information bulletin for purposes of information sharing.
BUREAU OF PLANNING A ND RESEARCH
INNOVATION INFORMATION
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Identifying Innovations for Statewide Implementation
Communicating Research Results & Innovations throughout PennDOT
Facilitating Practical Use of Innovative Tools and Methods
Municipal Services’ New Products Evaluation Program for
Lower Volume Local Roads
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Municipal Services
(BMS) continues to support The New Products Evaluation Program for Lower
Volume Local Roads. To help reduce costs for county and local governments,
the program provides an expanded list of approved products that are eligible
for liquid fuels funds expenditures. Because these products are designed for
lower volume local roads, they reduce costs for purchasing and/or installation
compared to similar higher volume highway products.
This program was initiated in March 2004 to allow manufacturers to submit
their innovative products and processes to BMS for evaluation. This evaluation
process, shown on the reverse, consists of several essential steps:
 After submitting an Application for Product Evaluation, PennDOT’s New Products
Evaluation Team (NPET) determines whether product testing is required.
 If testing is required, the applicant chooses an approved Testing Facility to test and
evaluate the product.
 An Evaluation Report prepared by the Testing Facility is reviewed by relevant
PennDOT Districts and Bureaus.
 Recommendations from PennDOT Districts and Bureaus are considered by the NPET,
who in turn submit their recommendations to PennDOT’s Office of Chief Counsel
(OCC) for legal review.
 The Director of BMS considers recommendations of the Districts and Bureaus, the
NPET, and the OCC in reaching a final approval or rejection decision.
 Approved products are listed in PennDOT’s Publication 447, Approved Products for
Lower Volume Local Roads and on the web site
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdBMS.nsf/Programs?openFrameset
Prospective applicants should also keep in mind these important points:
 Elapsed time from application to final decision is typically 12 – 24 months.
 The applicant pays Testing Facility costs.
 The New Products Evaluation Team includes seven PennDOT members and three
municipal representatives.
Innovative products and processes enhance cost savings, safety, maintenance,
and durability of lower volume local roads. These are significant benefits to
local governments and the traveling public they serve. Manufacturers benefit
when their products appear in Publication 447, Approved Products for Lower
Volume Local Roads, used by all local governments in Pennsylvania.
For more information, please contact Jim Smedley ([email protected]).
IIB-10-38
Bureau of Municipal Services
New Product Approval Process for Low Volume Local Roads
Process Map
Application Review
Application
New Products Evaluation Team (NPET) reviews for:
 Need/Demand
 Existing Specifications
 Risk/Safety
 Environmental Aspects
 Overall Merit
Manufacturer Applies for Product Evaluation
 Submits application to BMS
 Application processed and forwarded
for review
Application Forwarded NO
to LTAP
Further
Testing
Needed?
YES
Evaluation Report Review
Relevant PennDOT Districts/Bureaus review:
 Evaluation Report
 Specifications
Recommendation: Approval/Additional Testing/Rejection
Product Certified for Evaluation
NPET Recommendation
New Products Evaluation Team conducts final review:
 Comments and recommendations from Districts/Bureaus
 Finalize specifications
Testing Proposal
Testing Facility develops scope of work
 Testing protocol
 Testing materials and field sites
 Cost estimate
Recommendation: Approval/Rejection
Legal Review
Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) reviews:
 NPET recommendation for legal content
Testing
Returns Recommendation with Comments
Applicant accepts scope of work:
 Testing completed
 Evaluation Report & Specifications
provided
Final Decision
BMS Director reviews:
 OCC and NPET recommendations and comments
Final Approval or Rejection
Notification
Publication
BMS notifies applicant
of final decision
Approved products listed in
Publication 447
Research & Innovation Implementation System
n Identifying Innovations for Statewide Implementation
n Communicating Research Results & Innovations throughout PennDOT
n Facilitating Practical Use of Innovative Tools and Methods
Implementation
Implementation plan prepared/initiated
B u r e a u o f Pl a n ni n g a n d R e s e a r c h
400 North Street
6th Floor East
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717.214.8686
Fax: 717.783.9152
Email: [email protected]
IIB-10-38