Proposal Template
Proposal Template
Proposal Template
Cover letter
I. M. Writer 520 Safe Drive St. Anytown, Anystate, USA 01000 (555) 555-1212 October 13, 2004 Mr. David Decider Director, Policy Branch Department of Highways 759 Main Rd. E. Suite 100 Anytown, Anystate, USA 01000 Dear Mr. Decider:
I am pleased to submit my proposal to study the problem of cyclist head injuries in our state. The economic and personal cost of these injuries is enormous. I believe I can provide the Department of Highways with a thorough and wellthought-out analysis of the problem and present viable solutions to reduce cyclist head injuries. I propose to study solutions to the problem of cyclist head injuries based on statistical and medical research concerning head injuries. Thank you for considering this proposal. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
I. M. Writer encl.
Provides title, date, and information about writer and recipient, including contact information
Oct 13, 2004 Prepared for: Mr. David Decider Director, Policy Branch Department of Highways 759 Main Rd. E. Suite 100 Anytown, Anystate, USA 01000
Submitted by: I. M. Writer 520 Safe Drive St. Anytown, Anystate, USA 01000 (555) 555-1212 [email protected]
Table of Contents
Offers easy access to contents
Executive Summary An Overview of This Proposal Cycling Head Injuries Are a Severe Problem Some Real-Life Examples of the Problem A Problem for Many What the Study Will Do Possible Solutions to Investigate Action Plan Budget References
1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7
Executive Summary
Bicycle accidents occur far too frequently in our state, often resulting in permanent injury or even death. Head injuries are the most serious type of injury for cyclists, whether they are killed or just injured. These injuries are expensive both in terms of money andmore importantlyin terms of human suffering. I propose to study the problem by researching accident statistics and medical journals, interviewing cyclists and cycling organizations, reviewing coroners records and records of organizations involved in vehicular accidents. I will determine what factors contribute to cyclist head injuries and what can be done to reduce the severity or number of head injuries. I will explore possible solutions to this problem and analyze their merits. I can accomplish this study and present the results for $600. The benefits of reducing head injuries are fewer injuries and fatalities, less human suffering, reduced medical and insurance costs, and a reduction of the indirect costs in lost time and lost productivity.
20% of those people who survive the accident incur permanent brain damage. Serious injuries such as head injuries can be expensive to treat. The average one costs over $400,000 in medical costs, related costs, and lost time and productivity [4]. Brain injuries, for example, cost over $1,000 per day to treat, and over $200,000 per year in extended care costs [5]. The lost potential when a young cyclist is seriously brain damaged or killed is incalculable.
90 80
State A State B
State C State D State E State F State G State H State I State J State K State L
Figure 1: Cycling deaths by year. Source: Federal Highway Safety Commission, 1997.
Case #2. The death resulting from this cyclist/motorist collision involved a 4-year-old girl riding her bike into a T intersection when a motorist, observing her approach, nevertheless, thinking he had time, turned in front of her and she ran into the right front of this vehicle. There were no mechanical or environmental factors affecting this accident. The little girl had just recently learned to ride without training wheels and was practicing stops and starts. She died immediately of massive head injuries. Case #3. A 12-year-old boy was riding his bike on the shoulder of the Lamont Highway against traffic in the late afternoon of a mid-January day. It was already dark. A truck pulled over onto that shoulder of the road to pass a vehicle turning left and struck the cyclist. The bike was not equipped with a light or reflector on the front. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet. The youth suffered multiple traumatic injuries, the most severe being head injuries. Death was instantaneous.
Summarizes need for study
monthly or semiyearly basis. Furthermore, several organizations including the Federal Bureau of Statistics, our states Department of Highways, and insurance companies maintain accident statistics, which would reveal a reduction in the number of bicycle-related injuries and deaths.
Details what the study will examine
Action Plan
What Has Been Done So Far I have spoken to a representative of the Federal Department of Highways and obtained national fatality statistics. I have spoken with a representative of our states Office of Statistics and obtained fatality statistics. I have done extensive searching of Web-based literature to determine the extent of the problem. What I Will Do (See Figure 2 for the Time Line I Will Follow) Researching solutions to the problem of cyclist head injuries will take place in four stages: (1) Literature Review I will review paper and Internet-based literature, including medical and statistical literature, to explore methods of reducing the number and severity of head injuries. I will examine records in an international cycling accident database on the Internet to determine factors in cycling accidents. I will study recent papers on cycling accidents and head injuries including: a. the states Chief Coroners 1999 Report on Deaths of Cyclists b. Dr. Jean Farsights 2001 report, The Effectiveness of Bicycle Helmets: A Review. I will study state collision statistics to profile cycling accidents and explore solutions to the problem. 5
(2) Interviews I will consult with local cycling organizations to explore possible solutions to the problem. I will interview cyclists to profile local cycling safety concerns. (3) Expert Consultations I will contact auto insurance companies and similar safety organizations to explore aspects of this problem nationally and in neighboring states. I will contact the Motor Vehicles Branch in Anystate and similar organizations in other states to explore aspects of this problem.
Provides timetable for each phase of study
Projected Completion Date Oct. 16 Oct. 21 Oct. 25 Oct. 31 Oct. 31 Oct. 31 Oct. 31 Oct. 31 Nov. 15
Action Local public library research: statistical information Gridley University Library: medical and statistical information Internet research: statistical information, research possible solutions Cyclist interviews State Safety Council and similar associations in other states Department of Motor Vehicles and similar associations in other states Department of Highways Local cycling organizations: Greater Hub City Cycling Coalition and Harbor Wheelers Gather and analyze collected information. Analyze possible solutions. Write final report.
Budget
Internet service Long-distance telephone calls Car and gasoline expenses Requests for information Printing and computer equipment Miscellaneous expenses Total $50 $100 $100 $100 $200 $50 $600
I believe this to be an extraordinarily good value for helping reduce the enormous cost of head injuries due to bicycle accidents each year.
References
Cites references to provide support for study
1. Highway Safety Council: Road Safety Leaflets: Fatality Statistics by Road User Class, 19921997. Voorhees, NJ: Highway Safety Council, 1997. 2. Transport Anystate Traffic Collision Statistics, Statistics Anystate [by phone and published data]. 3. National Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program: 1998 Head Injury Statistics. Accessed online at http://www.medi-fax.com/thinkfirst/didja3.html. 4. State Department of Recreation: Serious Head Injuries in Bicyclists, 1999. Accessed online at http://www.gov.on.ca:80/MCZCR/english/sportdiv/ communiq/comm09.html. 5. Report of the Anystate Commission on Health Care and Costs, Closer to Home. City, Anystate: State Publishers, 1998. 6. Deaths of Cyclists in Anystate. City, Anystate: Office of the Chief Coroner, 2001.