K-TRAN Research Needs Day
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About the K-TRAN Program
The Kansas Transportation Research and New Developments (K-TRAN) Program is a cooperative research program designed in partnership with Kansas State University and The University of Kansas, to address the specific transportation research needs of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).
Since 1991, over 300+ different projects have been investigated, which has resulted in excellent data and information in the hands of practitioners to be able to answer challenging and complex transportation engineering problems.
Not only does this program conduct outstanding scientific inquiry, but it also helps deliver critical renewable workforce development opportunities at all levels of the process – which serves to strengthen each future graduate class as they go into the workforce, as well as the University faculty who lead each project as Principal Investigators in concert with the internal KDOT Project Monitor partners who help guide the process.
The K-TRAN research program runs on an annual cycle that begins with a solicitation for both Research Needs and Research Ideas. ‘Research Needs’ are asked from each of KDOT’s Area Panel Leaders —expert staff within KDOT, who serve at the forefront of the known vs. the unknown, with an understanding of what questions need to be answered next. ‘Research Ideas’ can be submitted from any other KDOT staff, city, tribal, or other local governments, as well as other external industry partners.
What is Research Needs Day about?
The 2026 K-TRAN Research Needs day will take place on August 18, 2026 in Lawrence, Kansas.
The primary event focuses on discussions surrounding submitted transportation “Research Needs” and “Research Ideas.” During these sessions, KDOT Area Panel Leaders and subject matter experts identify challenges facing Kansas transportation systems and collaborate with university faculty and researchers to explore potential research projects and solutions.
Research Needs Day is the annual meeting where discussion of submitted ‘Research Needs’ and ‘Ideas’ occurs between KDOT Area Panel Leaders, University faculty and graduate students, and idea submitters. Additional research preproposal Ideas may also be presented by university partners at this event.
Who should attend?
- State and local transportation agency staff
- Professional Engineers and planners interested in research
- Researchers and university faculty
- Students interested in transportation and technology careers
Everyone is encouraged to attend, though.
What can attendees expect?
Attendees can expect a highly collaborative and discussion-driven environment focused on solving real-world transportation challenges facing Kansas communities and infrastructure systems. The event emphasizes practical research applications and relationship building between agencies and researchers.
When:
August 18, 2026
Where:
The University of Kansas
Learned Engineering Expansion Phase 2 (LEEP 2)
1536 W 15th St, Lawrence, KS 66045