The Canadian Strategic Highway Research Program is pleased to offer graduate students in engineering up to $5,000 toward the direct analyses or evaluation of the C-LTPP Database. The C-LTPP Database contains information specific to 65 in-service pavement test sections located across Canada, including materials sampling and testing, traffic, environment, surface distress, deflection, and profile. Detailed information on the C-LTPP project and database are available in the C-LTPP Database User's Guide. To receive additional copies of the user's guide, you may contact Arlene Morrison.

The objectives of the C-LTPP Graduate Research Program, the requirements for participation as well as the mechanism for completing a research project are described in the Terms of Reference section. It is important that graduate students follow the guidelines outlined in these terms of reference. A list of suggested research topics is also available to assist graduate students in selecting an eligible project. At the completion of the research project, the student's final report must be submitted to C-SHRP. Depending on the quality of the report, a paper may be produced for publication at the Annual Conference of the Transportation Association of Canada.

Proposal Requirements

To be considered for a research grant, graduate students must submit a research proposal to C-SHRP at the following address:

C-LTPP Graduate Research Project
Canadian Strategic Highway Research Program (C-SHRP)
2323 St. Laurent Blvd.
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J8

Students should note that there are no submittal deadlines so proposals will be accepted by C-SHRP at any time during the year. The proposal shall be no longer than 3 pages in length (one-sided, 1.5 line spacing) and shall consist of the following components.

Problem Definition

The proposal should begin with a statement of the problem to be solved, the project objectives, the expected benefits of the proposed research, and the anticipated project outputs.

Project Workplan

This component will consist of a detailed workplan divided into specific tasks, which adequately address the project objectives. The workplan must include a clear description of the planned analysis methodology as well as the specific C-LTPP data that will be used in the analysis. If a computer program or other analysis tool is to be used, it should be mentioned. An anticipated project schedule with milestone dates for the completion of each task should also be outlined.

Relevant Experience/Supervision

This section of the proposal will include a brief summary of the student's relevant education and work experience related to the proposed research project. The professor who will supervise the project should be noted as well as his/her areas of expertise.

Proposal Evaluation

Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the C-SHRP LTPP Program Manager and the C-SHRP LTPP Steering Committee members to:

1. Determine if the proposal is eligible for the program (i.e. meets expectations, suitable analyses, good approach, promising project);

2. If proposal is eligible, determine the amount of funding commensurate with the promise of the project (funding amounts will range from $2,000 to $5,000);

3. If proposal lacks in some regard, suggest modifications to scope of project in order to render it eligible for C-SHRP funding; or

4. If proposal is clearly not eligible, notify the student that the C-SHRP grant will not be awarded

Graduate students can expect to receive a reply within 1 month of submitting the proposal.