The Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) programs foster new ideas that have potential to advance transportation practice by awarding start-up funding for promising but unproven innovations in transportation. IDEA programs provide support at a critical early stage when funding can be hard to find. They are open to everyone and the process is simple. Proposal review cycles begin in March and September.

There are two types of IDEA projects:

Concepts Exploration Projects (Type 1). IDEA programs may award funding to test the validity of innovative concepts with potential transportation practice. Funding for concept exploration typically ranges from $25,000 to $100,000.

Prototype Application Projects (Type 2). IDEA projects may also be funded to demonstrate prototype applications in transportation practice. Funding for Type 2 projects typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000.

There are currently four IDEA programs, two of which are funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA):

High-Speed Rail IDEA. The HSR-IDEA program solicits proposals for innovative concepts and technologies that will help attain the goal of cost-effective upgrading of current rail infrastructure for high-speed passenger travel and lead to a viable high-speed rail transportation system in the United States. HSR-IDEA projects are selected based on their potential to support upgrading the existing U.S. rail system to accommodate operations of 125 mph and beyond. HSR-IDEA is funded by the FRA in support of the Next Generation High-Speed Rail Technology Development Program.

Safety IDEA. The Safety IDEA program is jointly sponsored by the FRA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The U.S. Department of Transportation has set aggressive goals for reducing fatalities and injuries by the year 2010. To this end, the sponsors have provided funding for projects that promote innovative approaches to improving railroad, intercity bus, and truck safety. The program encompasses vehicle improvements, operator performance, and alertness improvements; operational practices; and hazard reduction, among other interest areas.

NCHRP Highway IDEA. A project of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), the NCHRP Highway IDEA program seeks proposals with potential to advance the construction, safety, maintenance, and management of highway systems. The program is jointly sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the member states of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Transit IDEA. The Transit IDEA Program is part of the Transit Cooperative Research Program, a cooperative effort of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and the Transit Development Corporation (a nonprofit educational and research organization of the American Public Transportation Association). The program is funded by the FTA and is managed by TRB. The Transit IDEA panel has established two strategic initiatives to encourage proposals in high-priority focus areas. Under the Transit Security Strategic Initiative, the panel will place particularly high priority on proposals that address transit security. The other high-priority focus area for Transit IDEA proposals will continue to be the Bus Rapid Transit Strategic Initiative.

For additional information on the IDEA programs,
visit the TRB's IDEA website at:
http://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/idea