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Problem Statement Lifecycle

The Problem Statement Lifecycle (below)outlines the processes involved in developing research collaborations with TfNSW:

Research Design Phase

In the Research Design Phase, researchers are invited to respond to:

  1. Problem Statements: TfNSW provides researchers with access to a range of Problem Statements developed by our Research Communities of Practice (RCoPs) in alignment with our Strategic Research Directions. If you are interested in one of these Problem Statements, please complete a Response to Problem Statement.
  2. Calls for Problem Statements: Each year, the Research Hub launches a Call for Problem Statements, allowing academics to pitch their research project proposals to TfNSW. These Calls for Problem Statements are either: (1) Open (i.e., calls for proposals on a broad range of areas/topics, or (2) Targeted (i.e., calls for proposals on a specific research area/topic) (link to Calls for Problem Statements). If you would like to respond to a Call for Problem Statements, please complete our Response to Call for Problem Statements(link to Forms & Templates).

Stage 1 Review: Research Hub

The Research Hub holds a monthly meeting to review: (1) Responses to Problem Statements, and (2) Responses to Calls for Problem Statements. Your response will be added to the agenda for the next available Research Hub review meeting. The main purpose of this review is to:

  1. Evaluate responses in terms of their alignment with the criteria outlined in the Problem Statement;
  2. Discuss Problem Statements that receive a response from more than one researcher. In such cases, the Research Hub team will evaluate the merits of each response and consider possible avenues for collaboration.

Following Stage 1 Review, the Research Hub will either:

  1. Contact you about your response to provide feedback, ask additional questions, and/or notify you of a final outcome;
  2. Forward your response to the relevant Research Community of Practice (RCoP) for Stage 2 Review (see below).

Stage 2 Review: Research Communities of Practice (RCoPs)

Our Research Communities of Practice (RCoPs) are comprised of experts and staff from across the transport cluster that meet once a month to identify TfNSW’s biggest problems and research priorities. Our RCoPs have developed a range of Problem Statements in alignment with TfNSW’s Strategic Research Directions.

Your response will be sent to the relevant RCoP for review, and a final outcome will be sent to the Research Hub.

Final Outcome

It is anticipated that the two-stage review process (above) will take approximately 30-60 days. You will be notified of a final outcome once this process is complete. If your proposal is of interest to TfNSW, we will contact you to organise a meeting with relevant members of your team and our RCoP for further discussion. In such cases, the Research Hub will support a co-design process, whereby all interested parties work together to finalise the purpose and method of the proposed research.

Research Project Agreement

Once a project partnership between TfNSW and a researcher/s has been confirmed, both parties will work together to establish a more formalised Research Project Agreement. This Agreement outlines specific details of all aspects of the project (e.g., relevant funding arrangements, intellectual property, publication of findings, final reports etc), and is signed by an authority at each institution.

Active Research Phase

The Active Research Phase includes the project commencement and completion. Where applicable, a Joint Committee will oversee the entire research process and joint contributions of both TfNSW and university researchers. Depending on the nature of the research project, TfNSW will provide access to relevant data and subject matter expertise, and Confidentiality Deeds will be used for the sharing of confidential information.

Research Outcomes Phase

This is the final phase of the Problem Statement Lifecycle. It involves the preparation and dissemination of research outcomes and knowledge, including final reports, conference presentations, publications, and Research Hub features.

Problem Statements in Progress

Our first round of Problem Statements was launched on the Research Hub in June 2018. Very soon we will begin posting details of Problem Statements that have resulted in active research collaborations between TfNSW and university researchers.

Completed Problem Statements

Our first round of Problem Statements was launched on the Research Hub in June 2018. Each time a collaborative research project is completed, details will be posted here.

Possible Avenues for Support

Although TfNSW has limited resources to dedicate to research activates, a number of possible avenues for research support are available:

  • Provision of in-kind support (e.g., access to data and subject matter expertise)
  • Direct funding support (e.g., project sponsorship by particular units with TfNSW, or through limited general research funding)
  • Investigation of possible options for external or joint funding through funded organisations, such as the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centres (CRC)
  • Possible TfNSW involvement as a project partner on large competitive grant schemes (e.g., ARC Linkage grants and Centres of Excellence)
Problem Statement Lifecycle Diagram