Sustainable Transportation Networks
Visioning Event of the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA)
to be held virtually on November 2 and 3, 2022
The National Science Foundation-supported Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA) is seeking to identify co-hosts for virtual visioning events in support of its mission. As a co-host, you will work with ERVA staff and volunteers to create and execute a visioning event that convenes top researchers from various sectors and other interested parties to discuss and develop a bold strategy for addressing contemporary engineering research themes of national interest.
The theme for this visioning event is Sustainable Transportation Networks. Innovative and sustainable transportation modes and infrastructure networks are required to support a vibrant society. Personal and business travel, in addition to freight transport, relies on a resilient and safe transportation network to maintain a robust economy. The future of transportation networks is greatly influenced by transportation modes, like cars, trucks, trains, boats, airplanes, and the next generation of transportation. New transportation networks and modality development must consider efficient energy use, low or no emissions, alternative materials, novel manufacturing processes, effectiveness and efficiency, and appropriate levels of automation and connectivity. Equally important are affordability, as well as positive impacts on the community such as social and economic sustainability, better accessibility to services, and reconnecting communities. Sub-themes we will investigate:
- Green construction, infrastructure, and longitudinal impact studies;
- Self-healing roads, rails, etc. using new materials;
- Interconnected transportation modes (on-road and non-road that include rail, marine, and air transport); and
- Transportation equity in society.
These invitation-only events will bring together an interdisciplinary group of top researchers and other relevant parties from the public and private sectors to accomplish our mission to identify and develop bold and transformative new engineering research directions and to catalyze the engineering community's pursuit of innovative, high-impact research that benefits society.
The visioning event will be held virtually over two days on November 2 and 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. The selected organization/organizations will act as a co-host on ERVA’s virtual platform.
Co-Host Benefits
Co-hosting an ERVA virtual visioning event will bolster the institution’s reputation as a thought leader in the role of engineering in transportation and promote the organization as a driver of new ideas and collaboration. Co-hosts have the opportunity to recommend sessions, speakers, and topics of interest to them, as well as the potential to deepen existing partner relationships and develop new ones.
A visioning event is a great business development opportunity to showcase your institution, faculty, programs, and capabilities. It raises your visibility among top thought leaders in this research area who represent dozens of top-tier universities and multinational companies. Because many universities have set institutional goals and have initiated specific programs aimed at this topic area, co-hosting offers an opportunity to elevate your programs and become a leading voice on a national level.
By creating an environment for the engineering community to speak with one voice while addressing the nation’s greatest challenges, ERVA seeks solutions through collaboration across different sectors. Therefore, we encourage submissions that partner academia and industry to create a joint bid to demonstrate ERVA’s commitment to convergence, diversity of ideas, and inclusion.
As a visioning event co-host, your organization will work with ERVA staff, our Executive Committee, and a Thematic Task Force on:
- Participant recruitment. Identify subject matter experts from relevant sectors (academia, companies, government, and nonprofits).
- Welcoming remarks/panel. Deliver the greeting and set the tone to bring visibility to your organization.
- Breakout Facilitation. Provide an expert to lead discussions, guide event flow, and optimize the experience and results.
- Report review and dissemination. Review report that reflects conversations and findings of the visioning event and shares actionable recommendations that can be evaluated by government funding agencies for adoption.
Visioning Event Breakout Facilitator and Annotator Selection
The co-hosting organization will provide one or more breakout facilitators and annotators for the visioning event. The breakout facilitators are responsible for leading their designated breakout groups through the prompts laid out by the Thematic Task Force. Breakout facilitators and annotators compile and reconcile comments and edits to the draft and help produce the report submitted to NSF and distributed to the engineering community. This person must have knowledge of the theme at hand to encourage conversation and ideation. The Visioning Event Facilitator must attend our virtual visioning event (November 2 and 3, 2022). They are also expected to attend pre-event planning calls. Please include a CV with your candidate’s expertise and experience with your submission.
Eligibility
Eligible organizations include:
- United States-based colleges and universities
- Nonprofit organizations such as professional associations/societies
- Companies with an operational presence in the United States
- National labs or other research institutes
Joint applications from two or more eligible organizations are encouraged.
Critical Review Elements
When considering proposals, ERVA will evaluate the proposers’ ability to provide:
- Knowledge: Selected organizations will possess in-depth knowledge of the visioning theme
- Dates: Staff availability during the two-day virtual event, November 2 and 3, 2022
- Administrative support: Designated note-takers for each session
- Facilitator(s): demonstrated experience successfully executing events with positive results
In-Kind Contribution
We anticipate your in-kind contribution to hosting an ERVA virtual visioning event will be your time, effort, and support in report development and dissemination.
Submission Process
In your response, please provide:
- A signed cover letter indicating your desire to host;
- Responses to the critical review elements and any additional information that will help the ERVA team in making a determination on visioning event co-hosts; and
- Availability to co-host a virtual two-day event on November 2 and 3, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
ERVA will conduct a virtual information session Wednesday, September 21, at 1 p.m. ET and will follow up with finalists to provide additional background and solicit further information, as needed, to inform a final decision. Please submit an RSVP to info@ervacommunity.org if you wish to attend. Applications will be filed for consideration for the related 2022 and later virtual and in-person events.
Response Deadline
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About ERVA
The Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA) is a neutral convener that helps to identify and develop bold and transformative new engineering research directions, directly supporting the nation’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Engineering, ERVA is a diverse, inclusive and engaged partnership that enables an array of voices to impact national research priorities. The five-year initiative convenes, catalyzes and empowers the engineering community to identify nascent opportunities and priorities for engineering-led innovative, high-impact, cross-domain, fundamental research that addresses national, global and societal needs.
Learn more at https://www.ervacommunity.org.
ERVA Role
The engineering research community is the target audience for this event. We will work with the host and members of the thematic task force (comprised of senior research officers, company representatives, and others) to develop a high-impact program and ensure that the event delivers value to the host and participants.
Good Faith Statement
All information provided by ERVA is offered in good faith. Specific items are subject to change based on business circumstances. ERVA does not guarantee that any item is without error. ERVA will not be held responsible or liable for use of this information or for any claims asserted therefrom.