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Abstract
Technology transfer is defined as the activity leading to the adoption of a new-to-the-user
product or procedure by any user or group of users. Technology transfer is a means to
directly affect the rate and nature of innovation and improvements to the transportation
system. Whether there is a new device to apply or a more effective manner of
performing a task, technology transfer is an essential part of that innovation1.
The expertise necessary to understand and apply all facets of technology transfer pull and
push activities including technical, procurement, institutional, marketing, resource
management, training and legal issues is immense. It is difficult for recent hires or
professionals new to technology transfer to grasp the fundamentals and be “up and
running” in a short period of time.
While the need for trained technology transfer professionals has been expressed in prior
research on this topic in specific components of the industry, the authors conducted
relevant research and undertook a survey to determine the nature and extent of the need
and to gather information useful for the establishment of a Transportation Technology
Transfer Certificate Program.