This animation shows how "hot topics" articles are pushed through RSS "feeds." Try it yourself!

From time to time, we get asked: "What is the easiest way to "track" an emerging issue?"  Or, some variant of the question: "How can I get a quick sense of the latest research and news headlines on a so-called 'Hot Topic' in transportation?"
 

While the topics come and go, one thing's for certain: Every year it seems like the quantity of information—including really good information— goes up and up. Sadly, our attention spans are not infinite, it is impossible to create more time in a business day, and even the quantity and quality of databases for searching is on the rise, not to mention the increase in innovative AI tools. 

Which of these should we use? Are we really seeing the most current or most relevant sources?  What if we need to track a topic over time, or weekly?

In an effort to assist busy researchers and practitioners who needed a simple way to "check in" on topics like Autonomous Vehicles, Climate Change, and Workforce Development, the VDOT Research Library created a series of Hot Topic Web Pages that use RSS feeds to automatically display the latest headlines from the TRID database (for "Research") and Google News (for "News") on 15 separate "Hot Topics" in transportation.   

Here's how it works:
A series of preconfigured searches run behind the scenes to fetch the 10 most recent professional articles and news headlines for each of the Hot Topics we've selected. The headlines refresh automatically every time you visit the page. This content changes daily, as relevant research articles are published and as fresh news breaks. 

So, if you wanted to track research and news on "Drones" for example, simply bookmark and visit this site any time you want a quick update: https://library.vdot.virginia.gov/guides/hot-topics/topics/drones 

Each time you return, the most current 10 links will load, so you don't have to remember what database to look in, or what search terms you used last time. Just load the page and you're loading fresh content.  
 

See a headline that catches your eye? It is hyperlinked, so clicking on it will lead you to the full text. You can also hover over the "information icon" to read the abstract or an article summary.  Because the page displays the publication date, it is easy to see how "fresh" each article is. A typical feed will look like this:  

Of course, you may want to see all citations on your topics (not just the top 10) or perform a fresh search from the database of origin.  If so, all you have to do is click on "Website" (to go to the source, where you can search manually) or Feed to show the feed or search behind the scenes.

Like the idea but don't see your favorite transportation "Hot Topic" on our list?  Use the suggestion form here so we cna add it: https://library.vdot.virginia.gov/guides/hot-topics/suggest
 

After all, our job is to help you do your job!
 

Ken Winter
(434) 962-8979
VDOT Research Library

The library started with the first director's personal collection of 118 books and reports. Today we have a print collection of nearly 70,000 items plus millions of eBooks, articles, papers, reports, standards and more accessible from any connected device. 

VDOT has had a library since 1945? Who knew!?

This slide deck above will be running at the upcoming Garver Leadership Conference, but we wanted to share it more widely. If you've used the library and found it helpful please share this article with a friend at VDOT who might also benefit.

Why? Even folks who know about the library might not realize it is for EVERY VDOT EMPLOYEE. Equally important, the library is 100% virtual these days. What that means is you don't have to come to the library to take advantage of its many collections and services. They are all virtual and self-paced... so the ball is in your court!

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE VDOT RESEARCH LIBRARY:

 

Exam Study Collections:  The library has systematically built up P.E. and other exam study collections. Today we have more than 500 volumes of material to help VDOT employees study for (and pass!) the FE, PE, PMP, FS, PS, PTOE, PTP and RSP certifications.

FREE OnlineSubscriptions:  Last year VDOT employees downloaded 15,390 electronic documents available from more than 20 full-text online databases the library manages for self-service VDOT employee access. 

After all, our job is to help you do your job!

Ken Winter
(434) 962-8979
VDOT Research Library

This video shows how easy it is to access Knovel using 'Single Sign On.' Click to try it now!

Building on our efforts to create 'one-click' access to ASTM Compass (last May), the VDOT Research Library is excited to announce that 'Single Sign On' access is now in place for the Knovel database as well! 
 

Since 2011 Knovel has been one of the library's top subscriptions in terms of full-text online downloads by VDOT employees in search of technical content. But like ASTM Compass, access to Knovel has historically been "unique" among our 20+ databases in that it required VDOT users to create a second username and password for access.

Those days are gone thanks to the magic of SSO...If you are logged on the VDOT network and you click a link to Knovel you will now go straight in! In fact, returning Knovel users will even be recognized back "by name" with all your favorites, recently accessed eBooks, recent searches and everything else right where you left off last time you were in. How great is that? 

How does access work for first-time Knovel users? 
If you are already logged in to the VDOT network, but you have never used Knovel before, a partial account will be created for you "on the fly" the first time you access it.  You'll see this message to "Please complete your profile..." 
 

You can do that by simply adding your first and last name (you will only ever see this screen one time) and clicking "save" as shown here:

What happens if I try to use Knovel from a device off the VDOT network? 
Like all Okta-enabled applications, you'll be prompted for your VDOT network credentials so you can be recognized and authorized with those credentials. This will be the case in situations where authorized VDOT employees are using their personal PC at home, personal device like a phone or an iPad, or a VDOT-issued device that is not directly connected to the network or connected through VPN. 

 The Okta sign-in screen looks like this: 

If you frequently use the Okta "My Apps" page you'll notice a tile leading to Knovel is there as well now, as shown below. One click of that tile takes you right in to start using Knovel: 

Finally, you may want to add a bookmark to Knovel to your favorite browser, or you might want to share a link to Knovel with a friend at VDOT.  We hope you do!  If so, please use this special URL: https://library.virginiadot.org/resources/knovel as it is designed to redirect you through VDOT's SSO technology. 

For questions or support see this Knovel Quick-Start Guide. 

Or get in touch with a librarian...we're here to help!

Ken Winter
(434) 962-8979
VDOT Research Library

With 'Single Sign On' you can get ASTM standards with one click. Watch this how-to video or simply click to try it now!

Sometimes less is more...and that has got to be the case with passwords!

In an effort to make life a little easier for busy VDOT employees the VDOT Research Library has configured its #1 subscription database — perennial favorite ASTM Compass — to work using Okta and "Single Sign On" (SSO) authentication.
 

Translation: If you're on the VDOT network, and you click a link to ASTM Compass, you will now get in with no further password prompts!

In fact, returning ASTM users will be recognized back "by name" with all your favorites, recently accessed standards and tracked documents right where you left them. How great is that? 

This could be a huge time saver for frequent users of ASTM Compass, which provides more than 13,000 standards from ASTM, AASHTO and other standards issuing organizations, not to mention close to 3,000 manuals, monographs and reports, and 45,000 papers and articles. 

How does it work for new or first-time users? 
If you are already on the VDOT network, the first thing you'll see when you enter ASTM Compass is a partial user profile recognizing VDOT as your agency as well as your VDOT e-mail address. Complete your profile by inserting your first and last name (you will only see this screen one time) and click "save" as shown here:

What happens if I try to access ASTM Compass from a device off the VDOT network? (like  a home PC, personal device or VDOT device without VPN)
Like all Okta-enabled applications, you'll be prompted for your VDOT network credentials so you can be recognized and authorized. The Okta sign-in screen looks like this: 

If you frequently use the Okta "My Apps" page you'll notice a link to ASTM Compass there as well, as shown below. One click takes you right in to ASTM Compass from that page as well: 

Finally, you may want to add a bookmark ASTM Compass to your favorite browser, or you might want to share a link to ASTM Compass with a friend at VDOT.  We hope you do!  Use this URL: https://library.virginiadot.org/resources/astm

For questions or support see this ASTM Compass Quick-Start Guide. 

Or get in touch with a librarian...we're here to help!

​

Ken Winter
(434) 962-8979
VDOT Research Library

With 30,000 new records added a week, Compendex is the gold standard for peer-reviewed research on engineering topics of interest.

Compendex (sometimes called Ei Compendex) is widely regarded as the most currrent and most comprehensive engineering literature database available today, with 190 distinct engineering disciplines and more than 20 million records selected by professional indexers. 

Translation: If you need to search with confidence for engineering research that is relevant, accurate and of exceptional quality, Compendex is your new secret weapon!

While some VDOT employees and research scientists may use it frequently, the name "Compendex" may be less familiar if you've been out of school for a while.  Or, you may remember it by the name of the search interface it utilizes, which is called "Engineering Village."

To help clear up confusion and get you started on the right foot, we put together this handy Compendex Quick-Start Guide, which covers the basic search features, tips for reading a full-record display screen, and most importantly, how to link from a promising citation to the full-text document, a process that may transfer you to one of a dozen or more other VDOT subscriptions. 

Bottom line, whatever kind of engineering you need information about, you can find it in Compendex. And by following the instructions and instructional videos in our new guide, you stand a great chance of being transferred with a couple clicks from the perfect citation to a paper offering solutions to your precise engineering challenge, from other resources VDOT has a subscription to, such as: Transportation Research Record, ACI Structural or Materials journals, ASCE Journals, ASTM journals, ICE Journals, Knovel or similar engineering resources.

On the off chance that you can't connect to the full-text you need, please don't forget that any citation to a published work you CAN'T find the full text of quickly, you can always toss our way for fulfillment. We find, download and deliver hundreds and hundreds of articles and papers to busy VDOT employees every single year. 

We suggest you use this online document request form, but you could call, e-mail, or even live chat with us to place your request! 

The key thing to know is that you never have to visit the library in person to benefit. Our databases are online, our subscriptions are online and WE are online...because YOU are online! 
 

Ken Winter
(434) 962-8979
VDOT Research Library

Check out the TRID database today. Give it a test drive if you haven't already, and complete this brief online survey with your suggestions for improvement. 

Sorry for our late notice, but please be advised that TRB is making a TRID User Satisfaction Survey available, but that survey closes September 30^th 
 

The survey should only take a few minutes and has three objectives:

1.       To understand who uses the TRID database and what they use it for;

2.       To determine user satisfaction levels; and

3.       To gather suggestions for possible short- and long-term enhancements to the TRID Database.

To get started, go to:  https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6892832/2022-TRID-Survey

TRID is an integrated database that combines the records from TRB’s Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) Database and the OECD’s Joint Transport Research Centre’s International Transport Research Documentation (ITRD) Database, for a total of 1.3 million records of transportation research worldwide.

It covers all modes and disciplines related to transportation, and contains close to 350,000 links to full text. 

Of course, any citation you find in TRID that does not have a link to full text is probably either already in the collections of the VDOT Research Library, or it is something we can deliver to you free of charge in 1-2 weeks through our Interlibrary Loans & Document Delivery program.   

That goes for scholarly articles, trade articles, books, conference proceedings papers, and on and on. 

If you have questions about TRID or the survey, please contact:

Bill McLeod

TRIS Manager - Transportation Research Information Services
Transportation Research Board
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 
Email: wmcleod@nas.edu | Phone: 202-334-2947

The animation above shows how the library's 'Hot Topics' page works.  Click it to try it yourself!
 

Are you sick of searching for the latest news and research on YOUR hot topics?  If so you are not alone...

To lend you a hand the VDOT Research Library created this nifty "Hot Topics" page that does the searching for you, revealing the latest news and vetted research on subjects like: Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, Resilience, and more. 

This page has been around since 2017, but lots of busy VDOT employees still might not know it is there, so we've started beefing up the "classic" Hot Topics with "new" Hot Topics, like Pandemics and Transportation Equity.  

What's the point, you ask?

This page can save you tons of time and delivers relevant results from authoritative news and research sources without you having to search all over the Internet. You don't have to figure out the best database to use, the best keywords, or create any kind of account.  Most of all, you don't have to repeat that process multiple times just to see "what's trending" on your issue.  

Of course, the site is freely accessible from any connected device (including mobile devices!) at: http://library.virginiadot.org/guides/hot-topics/  

Sound too good to be true?  Here's how it works:

1. Select a topic (we provide 13 topics, but you can use this online form to send us a comment or suggestion for new topics). The page uses a technology called "RSS" to dynamically load the results of pre-configured searches from TRB's TRID database and breaking headlines from Google News.

To reduce "information overload" each feed displays the 5 most recent Headlines or Articles with "linked" titles and the date of publication or indexing to make it easy for you to skim for the good stuff. 

2. Check back every now and then (hint: bookmark your favorite topic!) since news is always breaking and fresh research can be published or indexed daily!

3. The feeds described above take you to articles, reports and similar "published" content. Depending on the source (some have paywalls!) you may be prompted to pull out your credit card.  You can do that if you wish.

Or...you can click the Help tab and fill out citation details for what you need in the Request a Document Delivery form. We'll do our best to deliver what you need charge.  We can't make guarantees, but just so you know we deliver around 400 books, articles, reports and other "premium" resources to VDOT customers this way a year.

Bookmark Hot Topics today, share with a friend, and contact us with your questions or comments. 

After all, our job is to help you do your job!

Ken Winter
434-962-8979
VDOT Research Library

This guide lists all VTRC and other VDOT presenters. Please check your listing and let us know of any changes or updates!

The Transportation Research Board's 100th Annual Meeting starts tomorrow!

Due to the health risks posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year's meeting will be conducted as a virtual event throughout the month:

Committee Meetings: January 5–8 and 11–15
Sessions & Exhibits: January 21–22 and 25–29

This year 26 VTRC scientists and research assistants, and 21 other VDOT employees are authors or co-authors of 47 presentations at TRB events/sessions, workshops, and committees, of which, 31 are poster presentations. In addition, 7 VTRC personnel and 5 other VDOT personnel will preside at 22 events/sessions, workshops, receptions, committees, and subcommittees.

Many more VTRC and other VDOT employees will participate as active members and officers of committees and other working groups and we created this guide to highlight this year's participants. Check out past TRB conference participation here: TRB2020, TRB2019, TRB2018, TRB2017.

Important: We know from years of experience that conference presentations and participation can change right up to the last minute.  So if you are presenting, presiding or contributing content directly to this year's meeting we want to know about it!  Please check the guide to be sure all of your contributions are listed.

Questions? Don't hesitate to contact us. 

Ebook examples from HBR related to Mentoring, one of several strategies the "VDOT of Tomorrow" initiative will focus on.
 

Thanks to the VDOT Research Library's latest online subscription, VDOT employees now have free and unlimited access to about 700 new eBooks (the complete catalog) published by Harvard Business Review Press through EBSCO's new Harvard Business Review eBooks collection.

Try it today!

This awesome new set includes monographs, newly published eBooks, seminal works, and more than 150 "article compilations" with foundational articles included n the HBR "Classics" series.

The best part is, if you've got an Internet connected computer you can start reading any of those book right now, in addition to EBSCO eBooks in the BusinessCore collection (7,700 titles) and EngineeringCore collection (4,700 titles), which we have had for several years. 

That's an amazing 13,000+ eBooks just from EBSCO, with more eBooks from other vendors on this A-Z List...for those who are curious.

To help wrap your mind around this new collection from Harvard, we put together this guide that samples 10 popular "Must-Reads" From the Harvard Business Review.  If nothing there strikes your fancy type your search terms in below to see what else there is: 

Questions? Let us know we are here to help!

This screen capture of the Library Homepage shows where we'll be posting updates on library operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a rapidly evolving challenge faced by every VDOT employee. We are all seeking ways to adapt in order to do our jobs effectively going forward. Here's what we want you to know about the VDOT Research Library:

• Library hours have not changed. 
• All library staff will be online during normal business hours and we are here to help you.
• Bookmark the Library Web Page as your one-stop-shop for accessing all collections and services.

How we help you and what we can do for you are changing in some important ways:

1. The Library's physical space (located at VTRC in Charlottesville) is closed until further notice.
In accordance with guidelines from VDOT's COVID-19 Planning Information Page, messaging from Commissioner Brich, the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control we are taking measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. If you have checked out books, if you have received or need to return Interlibrary Loans, or if you have a question about any library service please see this new ALERTS page for guidance.

Since we have never charged VDOT employees overdue fees and since our top priority is your health and well being please don't worry about "due dates" including any automated e-mail notices you might receive. We don't expect to get all books back on time.  We will be working with partner libraries (those we have loaned to or borrowed from) to convey that message as well so that's one less thing for you to worry about.

2. Effective immediately all library functions and services will be delivered online.
Library staff will be "online" teleworking from home offices until further notice, as will most VDOT office employees.  More than 2,000 VDOT employees already have a Virtual Library Card and many more of you are used to routinely accessing the library's full-text subscription databases (eBooks, online articles, electronic standards and videos) "online" from your work computer.  What some folks may not know is this:
 

3. Our Interlibrary Loans service is temporarily suspended.
If you want to ship any items you have borrowed (from our library collections or from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan) feel free to do so. Someone will receive packages you ship to us and in time we will be able to process them. 

Lots of us are feeling overwhelmed with so much changing so quickly. We hope these necessary and temporary library changes take some of the stress off of you and we hope you'll pass on this information to your colleagues at VDOT who may benefit from online access to library collections and services.

In the meantime, if you want to contact us with any question...or just to talk, we're here!