Budget

Funds for research are budgeted under
RTI’s
 budget each fiscal year.
RTI develops a research budget each fiscal year composed of funds for:
  • Work Program administration (RTI staff and office expenses),
  • Work Program and project management performed by TxDOT research project teams, and
  • research conducted with Texas state-supported universities.
RTI funds an implementation program each year for:
  • assisting TxDOT in implementing research results and products,
  • technology transfer activities and support, and
  • implementation program administration and management.
Funding available for research and implementation programs is set by TxDOT administration through TxDOT’s budgeting process, and is adjusted as necessary depending upon State and federal appropriations.
Additional Federal Funds
may
be used
 — Research and implementation budgets reflect approximately eighty (80) percent federal SPR funds and twenty percent (20) state matching funds. Estimated federal funds are included in TxDOT’s Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) to assist lawmakers in appropriating adequate State funds to match the federal funds. The final State appropriation includes those estimated federal funds. If federal funds in excess of those identified in the LAR become available during the fiscal year (such as through work orders issued by FHWA), the research budget may be increased by the amount of new federal funds available.
RTI’s budget is only increased when total research expenditures, including for projects funded with these additional federal funds,
are expected to
 exceed RTI’s original budget. At that point, the
Financial Management Division
 works with RTI to identify the additional funds available and needed, and adjusts RTI’s budget.
Other Funds
 — Research or implementation funding may come from sources other than TxDOT state funds or federal SPR funds apportioned to Texas. Including but not limited to:
  • Other state agencies
     – Occasionally, other state agencies offer to contribute money to TxDOT to fund research of mutual interest, which TxDOT is managing. For example, the agency can recommend that they contribute the state's twenty (20) percent share.
  • Federal Agencies
     – FHWA often contributes up to 100 percent of the budget for specific research or demonstration projects which may have a compelling national importance. FHWA issues work orders for each project and approves funding. If a university will be performing the work, an agreement is executed by RTI in accordance with established research contracting procedures.
  • SPR funds apportioned to other states
     – FHWA recognizes a type of project called a Pooled Fund project. For these projects, one or more states and FHWA pool together to conduct research of regional or national significance. FHWA may waive the usual twenty percent non-federal match on these projects. When Texas leads one of these projects, all the expenditures on the project flow through RTI’s budget because the work on the project is managed by RTI. SPR funds from other states are recovered as discussed above under “Additional Federal Funds
    may be used
    .”
  • Other agencies or entities
     (including private institutions) – Projects of mutual benefit may be developed with agencies in addition to those mentioned above. Joint-funded projects with private entities are possible under certain circumstances, and may be performed with strict guidelines to protect the public interest.
  • No
    other TxDOT sources
     – Current TxDOT policy requires all research work to be funded through RTI (such a restriction is not placed on implementation work). Additional TxDOT funds for research can come only from the
    Financial Management
     Division increasing RTI’s budget upon approval by TxDOT’s Administration.