Ahead of the Curve is a training program for transportation research professionals, originally developed by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program in 2011. The mission of the initiative is to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of managers of transportation research programs and those responsible for innovation, in a coordinated and continuous manner.

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The program comprises four core courses and a range of electives designed to help transportation research managers learn from extensive experience and best practices to optimize their own research initiatives.

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Described in a TR News article in 2020, the program gained recognition for its impactful approach.

 

In 2023, the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) decided to integrate the program within its Technical Training Solutions curriculum. In this collaborative effort, Backstreet Consulting is supporting Advanced Research Associates, with completion expected by the fall of 2026.  The project is financed by state Departments of Transportation through the FHWA Pooled Fund Program.  

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