Research results
2010 Technical Summaries
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Pavement Surface
The Influence of Pavement Surface Texture on Traffic Noise
Researchers compared the relative loudness of several concrete pavement surface finishes by evaluating test sections. Results showed the innovative/ultimate diamond grind to be the quietest, followed by the burlap drag, conventional diamond grind and transverse tine.
Technical Summary: 201040TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-40 (PDF)
“This project made critical progress in meeting the challenge to develop a pavement finishing method that minimizes road noise without compromising friction.”
- Bernard Izevbekhai, Concrete Research Operations Engineer, MnDOT Office of Materials
Automatic Sampling
Improved Automatic Sampling for Suspended Solids
Researchers dramatically increased the accuracy of the automatic sampling of suspended solids by creating a device that mixes equal volumes of samples collected from multiple locations in the water column, yielding a combined sample that more closely reflects the average for the water column as a whole.
Technical Summary: 201038TS(PDF) | Full Report: 2010-38 (PDF)
“This project is an important starting point for developing technologies that make stormwater sampling more accurate and efficient.”
—Marilyn Jordahl-Larson, Unit Chief, MnDOT Environmental Modeling & Testing
Traffic Detection Technologies
Pooling Our Research: Evaluating Non-Intrusive Traffic Detection Technologies
Continuing with research that began in 1994, pooled fund TPF-5(171) evaluated the accuracy of the newest generation of non-intrusive traffic detection technologies that collect speed and volume data, and have the added capability of gathering classification data.
Technical Summary: 201036TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-36 (PDF)
“There are some things one product can do better than others. Agencies should think about the type of data that’s most important to them, and then look at each product’s accuracy and cost to make the best choice for their needs.”
-Jerry Kotzenmacher, Senior Engineering Specialist, MnDOT Office of Safety, Traffic and Operations
Parking Study
Minnesota Truck Parking Study (Phase 2)
Researchers performed analyses, surveys and literature reviews to better understand Minnesota’s truck parking capacity problems and identified specific, low-cost opportunities to expand capacity in the places where it is needed most.
Technical Summary: 201034TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-34 (PDF)
“The researchers’ survey results were particularly useful and provided us with some very sound data from which to formulate practical, achievable recommendations.”
- Robert Gale, Planner Principal Transportation, MnDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
Training Support
Putting Research into Practice: Training to Support “Hear Every Voice”
Investigators developed and administered a training curriculum on the core principles of MnDOT’s public involvement guidance, designed to assist employees in the planning, implementation and evaluation of public and stakeholder participation.
Technical Summary: 201033TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-33 (PDF)
“The update to Hear Every Voice and the increased visibility provided by the training curriculum make a dramatic difference in enabling people to better understand and become better versed in the different tools, techniques and approaches available.”
- Scott Bradley, Director of Context Sensitive Design/Solutions, MnDOT Engineering Services Division
Preventing Bumps
Preventing the Occurrence of Bumps in HMA Overlays
Researchers identified construction methods and materials for preventing the occurrence of bumps in hot-mix asphalt overlays, finding that best practices include using specified rolling techniques during warmer weather, low-modulus sealants, and narrow and shallow crack sealant reservoirs while avoiding overbanding.
Technical Summary: 201031TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-31 (PDF) | Booklet
“Thanks to the findings in this study, local and county agencies now have some great techniques to help reduce the occurrence of bumps in overlays.”
- John Brunkhorst, McLeod County Engineer
Public Acceptance
Public Acceptance of New Highway Capacity Strategies: FAST Miles and FEE Lanes
Researchers conducted six focus groups with Minnesota highway users to determine public understanding of a variety of FAST and FEE lane concepts. Participants were generally open to more efficient use of existing infrastructure but expressed concerns about logistics, fairness and safety.
Technical Summary: 201027TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-27 (PDF)
“This study helped identify the concerns of Minnesota highway users regarding the conversion of free general purpose lanes to toll lanes, which has never been done before. This will be valuable as we refine our policies to better utilize existing infrastructure.”
- Ken Buckeye, Program Manager, MnDOT Office of Policy Analysis, Research &Innovation
Pavement Temperature
Improving the Quality of MnROAD Pavement Temperature Data
Researchers created a procedure to flag erroneous data in the MnROAD temperature record database. They also created summary tables and graphs of the resulting reliable data, which can be used by researchers worldwide to develop, test and ultimately improve road designs..
Technical Summary: 201026TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-26 (PDF)
“The size and impact of the MnROAD database affected by this project are comparable to the Long-Term Pavement Performance database, the premier information source in the United States for pavement performance data.”
- Tom Burnham, MnDOT Senior Road Research Engineer
Research Practice
Putting Research into Practice: Guidelines for Designing Turn Lanes
Investigators assembled a guide that identifies and analyzes the primary factors influencing turn lane design. The guide includes a step-by-step process to calculate safe and effective turn lane lengths based on the specific characteristics of each intersection.
Technical Summary: 201025TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-25 (PDF)
“Longer turn lanes, based on the new design process, will allow motorists to get out of thru lanes earlier, have greater opportunity for deceleration and have more storage room, which will lead to safer intersections with fewer crashes.”
- Glen Ellis, Senior Project Engineer, MnDOT Metro District Design
Recycling Materials
Recycling Mining Materials as Durable Aggregates
Researchers evaluated an iron mining byproduct called taconite for use in roads as a high-quality aggregate and found it to be durable. MnROAD test sections using taconite performed as well as or better than those using conventional aggregates.
Technical Summary: 201024TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-24 (PDF)
“Laboratory tests have shown taconite aggregates to be tough, durable materials, performing as well as or better than conventional aggregates.”
- Eddie Johnson, Research Project Engineer, MnDOT Materials and Road Research
Soil Contaminants
Measuring Soil Contaminants Caused by Land Use
Researchers evaluated soil survey data to determine concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals in Minnesota soils while distinguishing the effects of human activity from those of native geology. They found that soils closer to roads and downtown areas had higher chemical concentrations.
Technical Summary: 201022TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-22 (PDF)
“This study will help us assess the impacts of human activity on Minnesota soils and whether certain kinds of industrial byproducts are suitable to specific construction projects.”
- Robert Edstrom, Chief Toxicologist, Minnesota Office of Environmental Services
Responding Performance
Responding to the Unexpected: Traveler Behavior and Network Performance in the Wake of the I-35W Bridge Collapse
Researchers evaluated the traveler behavior and the performance of transportation networks in the wake of the I-35W Bridge collapse, advancing understanding of the impacts of full closure compared with staged construction on the safety, quality and cost of construction projects.
Technical Summary: 201021TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-21 (PDF)
“Closing bridges and other links for construction may not have the dire effect a first analysis could imply. Mn/DOT should consider closing rather than trying to keep open network links during construction. Doing so will make projects faster, less expensive and safer.”
- Rabinder Bains, Economic Policy Analyst, MnDOT Office of Investment Management
Roadside Designing
Designing Site-Specific Roadside Prairie or Grassland Seed Mixes
Researchers worked with experts from every aspect of the seed community to produce a step-by-step guide to designing site-specific native grassland seed mixes for use along roadsides in Minnesota.
Technical Summary: 201020TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-20 (PDF)
“This project was successful in bringing together experts from different perspectives to contribute to a much-needed document that can ultimately be used by various people, from project designers to seed vendors.”
- Ken Graeve, Botanist, MnDOT Office of Environmental Services
Pavement Design
Update of Vehicle Classification for County Road Pavement Design
Researchers conducted vehicle classification counts in 15 counties across the state. They discovered that the proportion of heavy trucks on the County State Aid Highway system is at least twice as high as the counts found in the latest Pavement Design Manual.
Technical Summary: 201017TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-17 (PDF)
“We need to be designing roads based on up-to-date vehicle classification data. A large increase in the use of five-axle semitrailers has a significant impact on pavement damage and the types of roads we should build.”
- Tim Stahl, Jackson County Engineer
Pavement Specifications
Putting Research into Practice: Establishing a Combined Smoothness Specification for Minnesota Pavements
Investigators unified Mn/DOT asphalt and concrete pavement smoothness specifications using the International Roughness Index; added new requirements to improve the profiling process; and developed a certification training program for profiler operators.
Technical Summary: 201015TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-15 (PDF)
“Using continuous IRI to identify areas of localized roughness will enable contractors to better locate and quantify bumps and dips, which will improve the effectiveness of corrective work and result in smoother pavement surfaces.”
– Tom Nordstrom, MnDOT Pavement Management Analyst
Bridge Research
Decision Support for Scour Monitoring on River Bridges
Bridge scour threatens bridge stability and the safety of the traveling public. Researchers developed a decision-making tool that uses the unique bridge and waterway characteristics of individual sites to help bridge operators successfully identify the best fixed scour monitoring methods.
Technical Summary: 201014TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-14 (PDF)
“The framework developed from this project will help bridge owners evaluate and select bridge fixed scour monitoring alternatives.”
- Andrea Hendrickson, MnDOT State Hydraulics Engineer
Making Roads and Bridges Resistant to Frost and Ice
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of the Cargill SafeLane™ anti-icing overlay system on bridge decks and found that while it significantly increased traction and reduced crash rates, it was subject to rapid wear from traffic and snowplows.
Technical Summary: 201013TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-13 (PDF)
“This project is a starting point for finding innovative anti-icing technologies to make Minnesota roads safer and less expensive to maintain.”
– Farideh Amiri, MnDOT Maintenance Operations Research Engineer
Measuring Accessibility
Access to Destinations: Arterial Data Acquisition and Networkwide Travel Time Estimation
(Phase II)
Researchers used updated traffic demand volume and signal timing data to calculate travel time estimates for arterial links in the Twin Cities region. The new data can be used to evaluate changes in the transportation network over time and to develop accessibility measurements for the region.
Technical Summary: 201012TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-12 (PDF)
“In this project we put together a geographic database of the arterials in the Twin Cities, with the long run goal of constructing a system for using available data to monitor traffic conditions.”
– Gary Davis, Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Civil Engineering
Stormwater Management
Assessment of Underground Stormwater Management Devices Under High Flow Conditions
Researchers developed tests for measuring the amount of sediment washed out of hydrodynamic separators during high flow storm events. These tests have aided in creating computer models that will be used to predict efficiencies for any manufacturer’s separator under varying conditions and environments.
Technical Summary: 201010TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-10 (PDF)
“By using the testing methods developed at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, we determined that the separators tested in the field were in fact retaining a high degree of sediment during high flow storm events. One device in particular had no sediment washout.”
– Mike Eastling, Director of Public Works, City of Richfield
Measuring Accessibility
Access to Destinations: Measuring Accessibility by Automobile
Researchers analyzed accessibility measures—which indicate proximity to opportunities like jobs, rather than simply travel times—for the Twin Cities metropolitan area between 1995 and 2005. Overall, the region is becoming more accessible due to both land use changes and transportation network improvements.
Technical Summary: 201009TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-09 (PDF)
“The concept of accessibility allows us to measure the efficiency of the city in its primary role, enabling people to reach other people and things.”
– David Levinson, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Civil Engineering
Automated Snowplow Technology
Automating Friction Measurement and Applicator Control for Snowplows
Researchers developed an automated system that continuously measures the friction coefficient of the pavement and quickly detects any change, activates/deactivates the snowplow applicator based on the friction measurement and applies the appropriate amount of deicing material on the road surface.
Technical Summary: 201007TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-07 (PDF)
“Friction tools can help us make more effective use of time and materials. The prototype developed in this project works very well to apply material at lower truck speeds, proactively treats problem spots and increases public safety.”
– Farideh Amiri, Research Engineer, MnDOT Office of Maintenance Operations
Automated Counting Technology
Analysis of Practical Methods for Counting Bicycles and Pedestrians
Researchers evaluated current automated methods for counting bicycle and pedestrian traffic in a transportation network and developed a prototype vision-based computer program with the goal of improving accuracy and reducing long-term costs.
Technical Summary: 201006TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-06 (PDF)
“The biggest advantage of computer vision-based counting is the verifiability of results that is not possible with other methods. When a bicycle or a pedestrian is detected in a video and counted, it can be archived and verified manually in the future.”
– Nikos Papanikolopoulos, University of Minnesota Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Pavement marking
State of Practice for Minnesota Local Agency Pavement Marking Management
Investigators surveyed Minnesota local transportation agencies regarding their practices for managing the maintenance of their pavement markings and produced recommendations for best practices in this area.
Technical Summary: 201005TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-05 (PDF)
“This report serves as a method of sharing valuable information between local agencies throughout the state. It is part of a learning process where cities and counties can look to the report and gain ideas that will enhance safety.”
– Lee Amundson, Lincoln County Engineer
Full Closure Construction
TH-36 Full Closure Construction: Evaluation of Traffic Operations Alternatives
Researchers evaluated the impact of the first large-scale full closure construction project in Minnesota. They found full closure to be a viable, cost-saving construction alternative under these circumstances and gained valuable knowledge of the tools used to evaluate future project alternatives.
Technical Summary: 201004TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-04 (PDF)
“As it turned out, full closure was by far the best choice not only in terms of the actual outcome of the project, but also in regard to the small, additional RUCs as compared to the overall savings in labor and time.”
– John Hourdos, Associate Program Director, Minnesota Traffic Observatory, University of Minnesota, Department of Civil Engineering
Bridge Design
Discrepancies in the Shear Strength of Prestressed Beams with Different Specifications
Previous studies have revealed discrepancies between load rating calculations and the expected carrying capacity based upon visual inspections of bridges. In this study, researchers investigated possible sources of these discrepancies and suggested some remedies.
Technical Summary: 201003TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-03 (PDF)
““With the corrections, the software gives a good hierarchical ranking of the bridges.”
– Carol Shield, Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Civil Engineering
Changeable Message Signs
Using Dual-Phase Message Signs to Display Airline Information
Researchers used a driving simulator to compare the use of overhead dual-phase to multiple static Changeable Message Signs for effectiveness in conveying airline information to highway drivers approaching the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Researchers found that the two methods were equally effective.
Technical Summary: 201002TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-02 (PDF) | Presentation
“We found that dual-phase messages are far more effective at conveying information than DOTs previously thought. This study could have wide applicability to other areas, such as urban highway segments that are congested with signs.”
– Cassandra Isackson, Assistant State Traffic Engineer, MnDOT Traffic Engineering Section
Workforce Safety
Evaluating Workforce Perceptions to Identify and Mitigate the Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Researchers interviewed transportation employees to discover their perceptions of workplace safety to reduce on-the-job injuries. They found that employees’ primary concern—contact with public vehicles—needed to be addressed before a successful program to reduce musculoskeletal disorder injuries can be implemented.
Technical Summary: 201001TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2010-01 (PDF)
“A user-centered initiative, such as workplace wellness, requires the workforce’s input to understand employees’ concerns and perceptions; otherwise the entire effort could fail.”
– Todd Loushine, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
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Improving Transportation
Pooling Our Research: Improving Transportation Management Center Performance
SPR-2(207): Transportation Management Center Pooled Fund Study. This ongoing study provides technical guidance, best practices, training, innovative techniques and technologies, and fact-based tools to help transportation management centers improve services and performance.
Technical Summary: 2010SPR-2(207)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“The TMC pooled fund has led to valuable collaborations. Caltrans’ use of Mn/DOT’s open-source Intelligent Roadway Information System software is just one example where
Mn/DOT and Caltrans are benefiting from collaborating with study partners.”
- Jim Kranig, Director, MnDOT Regional Transportation Management Center
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Pooling Our Research: Developing Technologies to Predict Winter Road Conditions
SPR-3(042): Aurora Program Pooled Fund Study. Aurora is an internationally recognized leader in the research and development of road and weather information systems, including winter and pavement condition forecasting technologies. MnDOT has been a member of this program since its inception in 1996.
Technical Summary: 2010SPR-3(042)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“Aurora is internationally recognized as a leader in the snow and ice community, providing invaluable knowledge critical to efficient winter maintenance operations.”
- Sue Lodahl, MnDOT Assistant State Maintenance Engineer
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Intelligent Transportation Systems
Pooling Our Research: Accelerating the Development of Intelligent Transportation Systems
ENTERPRISE facilitates the rapid development of intelligent transportation systems, allowing Minnesota to benefit from the latest technologies for increasing highway safety and efficiency, and reducing congestion and the environmental impacts of travel.
Technical Summary: 2010SPR-3(020)TS(PDF) | Project Page
“By participating in ENTERPRISE, Mn/DOT can leverage a deep pool of ITS experience from other states and international agencies, allowing us to make much more rapid progress than we would working alone.”
—Jon Jackels, ITS Program Manager, MnDOT Office of Traffic, Safety and Technology
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Winter Maintenance Technology
Pooling Our Research: Improving Winter Maintenance with New Technologies
Launched in 2004, the Clear Roads Winter Highway Operations Pooled Fund is aimed at rigorous testing of winter maintenance materials, equipment and methods for use by highway maintenance crews.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(218)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“As a researcher, I use the Clear Roads Web site all the time to ensure that we do not duplicate Clear Roads research and to find contact information for my counterparts at other Clear Roads member agencies with similar research interests.”
–Farideh Amiri, Research Engineer, MnDOT Maintenance and Operations
The Transportation Curriculum
Pooling Our Research: The Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council
Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council. This effort helps states train and certify personnel through national core curriculum and training materials for various transportation disciplines, providing the most comprehensive Web-based training resource available to the transportation community today.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(209)TS (PDF) | Full Report: Project Page
“The TCCC offers a suite of trainings to supplement our courses, allowing us to meet federal regulations on training and certification in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.”
—Deb Fick, Research SP&R Administrator, MnDOT Research Services
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Driver Safety
Pooling Our Research: Innovative Technologies to Improve Motorist Safety During Roadside Crashes
Now in its 19th year, the FHWA’s Midwest States Pooled Fund Crash Test Program is dedicated to making roadsides less hazardous to motorists by evaluating roadside safety hardware such as guardrails and median barriers. The program is hosted by the University of Nebraska’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, which is also recognized as a global leader in the development of innovative roadside safety features, such as Minnesota’s thrie-beam bullnose median terminal.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(193)TS (PDF) | Full Report: Project Page
“The safety products and crash-testing services produced by this effort will continue to benefit Minnesota, saving lives and money.”
– Mike Elle, MnDOT Design Standards Engineer
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Updating Precipitation
Pooling Our Research: Updating Precipitation Frequency Estimates.
Updating U.S. Precipitation Frequency Estimates for the Midwestern Region. This multistate pooled fund study is updating decades-old precipitation frequency estimates that are used by practitioners to design small drainage structures such as inlets, storm drains and small culverts.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(187)TS (PDF) | Full Report: Project Page
“Mn/DOT’s participation in this national project means that the same process and procedure for precipitation frequency estimates will be employed statewide.”
- Andrea Hendrickson, MnDOT State Hydraulics Engineer
Freight Coalition
Pooling Our Research: The Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition
Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition. This pooled fund study supports projects focused on the operation, preservation and improvement of freight transportation infrastructure and networks involving the coalition’s 10 member states in the Mississippi Valley region.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(156)TS (PDF) | Full Report: Project Page
“This project is extremely beneficial to Minnesota, helping us to educate our own leadership about the importance of freight, identify in detail the freight system needs of our region and develop strategies that look beyond our borders.”
—William Gardner, Director, MnDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicles Operations
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Providing Transportation
Pooling Our Research: Providing Transportation Planners with Accurate Census Data
Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) from the American Community Survey Pooled Fund Study. This study works in conjunction with AASHTO’s Standing Committee on Planning on a project to incorporate annual data from the American Community Survey in a set of special data tabulations used for transportation planning and policy analysis.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(154)TS (PDF) | Full Report: Project Page
“CTPP data is a key input for the state’s long-range planning for the transportation system across all modes and in the transportation planning done by the state’s metropolitan planning organizations.”
- Lynne Bly, Transportation Planning Director, MnDOT Office of Statewide Multimodal Planning
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Driver Safety
Pooling Our Research: Enhancing Teen Driver Safety with Video Feedback Systems
Researchers evaluated whether the use of an event-triggered video system within vehicles could reduce the number of safety-relevant driving errors made by newly licensed teens. Researchers found that video feedback was immediately and extremely effective, reducing the number of safety-relevant events by 61 percent overall. There was high user acceptance, and the system increased communication between parents and teens regarding safety.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(144)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“This technology has the potential to save lives by reducing crashes involving loss of control during high-speed turns, which are a leading cause of injury and death for teens.”
– Daniel McGehee, Director, University of Iowa Human Factors and Vehicle Safety Research Program, Public Policy Center
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Making Roadsides Safer
Pooling Our Research: Making Roadsides Safer
TPF-5(114): Roadside Safety Research Program. This study was established in 2005 to crash-test and evaluate the design of roadside structures. More than 25 projects have been completed that support Minnesota’s goal to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on its roads.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(114)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“This pooled fund study is integral to Minnesota’s Toward Zero Deaths initiative, which seeks to create a culture in which fatalities and serious injuries are no longer acceptable.”
- Deb Fick, Research SP&R Administrator, MnDOT Research and Library Services
Increasing the Accessibility
Pooling Our Research: Increasing the Accessibility of Transportation Research
Transportation Library Connectivity. This pooled fund study advances the collaboration of transportation libraries to make research more accessible, increasing the sharing of resources and the awareness of the importance of libraries to the performance of transportation agencies.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(105)TS (PDF) | Full Report: Project Page
“This pooled fund study provides travel funding for our librarians to attend its annual meetings, giving us continuing education and professional development opportunities and practical tools we can use to enhance our customer service.”
—Sheila Hatchell, Library Director, MnDOT Research Services
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Cost-Effective Strategies
Pooling Our Research: Cost-Effective Strategies for Making Roads Safer
TPF-5(099): Evaluation of Low Cost Safety Improvements. With participation from 28 states, this program is conducting a 10-year evaluation of more than 20 low-cost strategies for making roads safer by reducing crashes and crash severity.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(099)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“Some of the low-cost strategies we’re interested in include adjustment of pavement lane and shoulder widths and delineation of curves for approaching drivers. As this project produces more data, Mn/DOT can choose the most cost-effective means for making its roads safer.”
- David Engstrom, State Traffic Engineer, MnDOT Office of Traffic, Safety and Technology
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Automating Winter Maintenance
Pooling Our Research: Automating Winter Maintenance Decision Support
TPF-5(054): Development of Maintenance Decision Support System Pooled Fund Study. This study was launched to develop and implement an automated software tool that provides real-time winter maintenance treatment recommendations.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(054)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“By optimizing the timing and selection of winter maintenance treatments, the MDSS can help Mn/DOT meet its desired level of service while using the minimum amounts of chemicals and resources.”
- Curt Pape, RWIS Coordinator, MnDOT Office of Maintenance
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Southeastern Superpave Center
Pooling Our Research: Southeastern Superpave Center
Southeastern Superpave Center. The Southeastern Superpave Center helps states implement the Superpave system for more durable asphalt pavements. MnDOT asked center researchers to compare the tire-pavement loudness of several Minnesota pavement surface textures using the center’s close-proximity trailer.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(037)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“Using the right pavement surface texture can result in a significant reduction of tire-pavement noise, reducing the need for noise barriers to shield populated areas and leading to millions of dollars in cost savings.”
—Jerry Geib, Pavement Design Engineer, MnDOT Office of Materials
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Reducing Congestion
Pooling Our Research: Reducing Congestion with HOV Toll Lanes
High Occupancy Vehicle/Managed Use Lane Pooled Fund Study. Since 2002, this study has allowed states to address key challenges common to public agencies responsible for managing and operating HOV facilities by providing an avenue to collectively develop more efficient HOV operations methods.
Technical Summary: 2010TPF-5(029)TS (PDF) | Project Page
“This pooled fund study allows MnDOT to benefit from information gained both from networking with DOTs facing similar challenges and from the many handbooks developed by its projects.”
—Brian Kary, Freeway Operations Engineer, MnDOT Regional Transportation Management Center
Many states currently use fly ash to stabilize foundation materials during road construction projects. In Minnesota, the recent implementation of new specifications, tools, and projects at the local level is supporting increased use within the state.
In 1994, the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) funded a study that explored the use of several materials, including fly ash, to stabilize soils for road reconstruction projects. The LRRB also supported follow-up studies, including evaluations of several demonstration projects.
Technical Summary: Fly Ash (PDF)
Putting Research into Practice: Maintaining Guardrails for Roadside Safety
Guardrail maintenance is a key component of protecting the roadside, but there is uncertainty as to how to maintain the various guardrails and end treatments that are currently in use. Local jurisdictions continue to perform guardrail maintenance but there are no current guidelines to ensure that maintenance practices are to standard and are consistent throughout the state. These guidelines summarize current issues, the accepted approved guardrail types and end treatments used in Minnesota, inspection and maintenance practices for guardrails and resources and standards on guardrails and end treatments. Appendices A and B provide quick reference sheets to highlight the guardrails and end treatments currently used in Minnesota and the suggested use of each type.
Technical Summary: 2010RIC13TS | Full Report: 2010RIC13
Putting Research into Practice: Best Practices for Removing Traffic Signs
The goal of this project was to identify perceived roadblocks to removing unnecessary signs and to develop a best practices guide based on that information. The guide would address technical issues and provide guidelines for developing policies for removing unnecessary signs.
Technical Summary: 2010RIC10TS | Full Report: 2010RIC10
Putting Research into Practice: Maintaining Safer Local Roadways
The Local Road Research Board has developed a workshop on "Maintaining a Safer Roadway" that provides education to maintenance staff on how they can make our roads safer. Local Agency maintenance forces are in the best position to be the "eyes and ears" for Local Agencies when it comes to identifying situations, that when addressed, could greatly improve safety for the traveling public.
Technical Summary: 2010RIC03TS | Full Report: 2010RIC03
Putting Research into Practice: Establishing a Sign Retroreflectivity Maintenance Program
The Minnesota LRRB has developed a Sign Retroreflectivity Toolkit that is designed to provide local governments, especially small cities and townships, with guidance on FHWA's sign retroreflectivity deadlines as well as resources they can use to meet these deadlines.
Technical Summary: 2010RIC02TS | Full Report: 2010RIC02
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