Research results
2011 Technical Summaries/Reports
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
Extending the Delivery Time of Concrete Mixtures
Researchers evaluated how the performance of air-entrained concrete mixtures containing water reducers, water-reducing retarders and hydration stabilizers would be affected by extending their transit time from 60 to 90 or even 120 minutes. They found no significant effect on compressive strength or freeze-thaw durability, and recommend updating MnDOT specifications to allow a longer delivery time.
Technical Summary: 201126TS (PDF, 846 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201126 (PDF, 5.1 MB, 177 pages)
Development of Design Guide for Thin and Ultra-Thin Concrete Overlays of Existing Asphalt Pavements
The existing ultra-thin whitetopping (UTW) and thin whitetopping (TWT) design methods are reviewed so that any gaps in the design process can be identified. Four design methods are included, namely the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) method, the New Jersey Department of Transportation method, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) method, and the Illinois Centre for Transportation (ICT) method. The structural response and performance models used in these methods are evaluated using field data from the whitetopping sections at MnROAD.
Full Report: 201125 (PDF, 1.8 MB, 153 pages)
Improving Pavement Marking Performance on Challenging Pavement Surface
Researchers documented the practices of MnDOT districts and other state departments of transportation in the use of pavement markings on challenging pavement surfaces, including those with seal coat and micro-surface treatments. Results showed that agency strategies for pavement markings on these surfaces typically involve using latex paint immediately after maintenance treatments, restriping with all-weather paint after two weeks and restriping with epoxy after one to two years.
Technical Summary: 201124TS (PDF, 686 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201124 (PDF, 1.8 MB, 39 pages)
Pervious Concrete Test Cells on MnROAD Low Volume Road
This report includes the design, construction, and early performance of three pervious concrete test cells construction at MnROAD in 2008. These cells were constructed to evaluate the performance of pervious concrete pavements on a low-volume road in a cold weather climate. The three cells discussed in this report are as follows: porous concrete overlay, pervious concrete on granular subgrade, pervious concrete on cohesive subgrade. This report has the following chapters, which uniquely discuss each phase of this project: research synthesis; mix design, concept design, and geotechnical exploration; construction sequence; initial testing; hydrologic evaluation; early two year performance; implementation; effect of sound absorption on OBSI; and acoustic properties of clogged pavements.
Full Report: 201123 (PDF, 19.9 MB, 373 pages)
Laboratory Tests for Predicting the Performance of Asphalt Concrete
Researchers conducted a literature review on asphalt performance tests to identify suitable candidates for inclusion in asphalt mixture specifications. Promising tests include the indirect tensile strength test, disk-shaped compact tension and semi-circular bend tests, the Texas overlay tester and the four-point bending beam fatigue test. Including a laboratory performance test in asphalt mixture specifications would improve the longevity of asphalt pavements and reduce the risk of early cracking, rutting and other deterioration.
Technical Summary: 201122TS (PDF, 651 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201122 (PDF, 19 MB, 62 pages)
Minnesota's Best Practices and Policies for Safety Strategies on Highways and Local Roads
The information in this Best Practices and Policies Guide is provided as a resource to assist local agencies in their efforts to better design, operate and maintain their systems of roads and highways. This information is provided to agencies in an effort to reduce the number of severe crashes on their highway system and it is understood that the final decision to implement any of these strategies resides with the agency. The practices and policies in this guide are consistent with guidance prepared by FHWA, AASHTO and NCHRP and is primarily intended to apply to new construction, except as noted. In addition, these practices and policies provide an overview of the current state of practice in Minnesota relating to the design, operation and maintenance of road systems.
Technical Summary: 201121TS (PDF, 788 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201121 (PDF, 19 MB, 62 pages)
Using Geosynthetics to Improve Road Performance
Researchers evaluated the pavement performance benefits of using geosynthetics in pavement base and subbase layers, including improved ride quality and reduced cracking and rutting. Results show that while geotextiles did not perform as expected, geogrids clearly benefit pavement performance.
Technical Summary: 201120TS (PDF, 1 MB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201120 (PDF, 4.6 MB, 50 pages)
Accomodating Fish Passage at River Crossings
Researchers assessed how well the use of recessed culverts in Minnesota creates hydraulic conditions, including reduced water velocities, that are more amenable to fish passage at river crossings. Of 19 sites surveyed, six were not functioning properly; a lack of sediment in the recessed culvert barrels indicated increased water velocities. Researchers determined that undersized recessed culvert barrels and accumulation of sediment in side barrels caused the lack of sediment accumulation.
Technical Summary: 201119TS (PDF, 780 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201119 (PDF, 4.2 MB, 92 pages)
Designing Performance - Based Contracts for Pavement Construction and Maintenance
The objective of this project was to develop a method for designing PBCs for highway construction projects by estimating pavement life-cycle costs and determining the amount and timing of incentives and disincentives to influence contractor behavior.
Technical Summary: 201118TS (PDF, 785 MB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201118 (PDF, 2 MB, 53 pages)
Rational for Funding a Feasibility Study for an Automated Rapid Transit Application in the Twin Cities
This report discusses the potential benefits and perceived impediments to implementing an automated rapid transit (ART) system in the Twin Cities and Minnesota. The report also briefly reviews the status of ART applications, also referred to as personal rapid transit (PRT), in the United States and abroad. Finally, the report evaluates the potential ability of ART to promote the policy goal of creating efficient development, livable communities, and work opportunities through a variety of relevant strategies.
Full Report: 201117 (PDF, 390 KB, 24pages)
Predicting Environmental Effects on Concrete Pavements
To improve the accuracy of mechanistic empirical design methods, researchers developed a mathematical model to determine the built-in curl of concrete slabs using slab temperature gradients, material and geometrical properties, and falling weight deflectometer measurements at slab corners. They used this model to estimate built-in curl on pavement test sections at the MnROAD pavement research facility and found that all sections had negative built-in curl. However, the model could predict built-in curl only when total curl was more negative than -9 degrees F, which is rare in Minnesota’s climate.
Technical Summary: 201116TS (PDF, 1 MB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201116 (PDF, 6.2 MB, 624 pages)
Putting Research into Practice: Improving Subgrade Test Rolling
Researchers developed a new test rolling system and an associated construction test specification that MnDOT can use to approve compacted subgrades on construction projects. This system can be used on a wider variety of subgrade types and depths, and is safer than the previous system, allowing for a more flexible testing program overall.
Technical Summary: 201115TS (PDF, 415 KB, 2 pages)
Potential Viability of Automated
Rapid Transit at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
This research project investigates the status of personal rapid transit (PRT) applications in airport environments, to
understand the characteristics and attributes of these systems, to explore the viability of a PRT system in the
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and to prepare a synthesis report and presentation that document the
project's findings.
Technical Summary: 201114TS (PDF, 950 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 201114 (PDF, 577 KB, 32 pages)
Usability Evaluation of a
Smart Phone-Based Novice Teen Driver Support System (TDSS )
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities. A Teen Driver Support System (TDSS) was developed by the ITS Institute that can allow parents to accurately monitor their teen's driving behavior in relation to known risk factors and Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) provisions. The TDSS, based on a teen's smart phone, provides real-time, contextual in-vehicle feedback to the teen about his or her driving behavior and helps parents monitor certain known risk factors. The system does not allow incoming or outgoing phone calls (except 911) or texting while driving. Feedback to the teen driver includes visual and auditory warnings about speeding, excessive maneuvers (e.g., hard braking, cornering), and stop sign violations. The TDSS prototype also monitors seat belt use and detects the presence of passengers (e.g., based on GDL provisions), two known factors that increase the risk of fatalities among teen drivers. The TDSS can also be programmed to monitor driving during the GDL curfew or a curfew set by parents. A usability review of the prototype TDSS using 30 parent-teen dyads from Washington Country, MN, found that teens and parents held favorable opinions about most of the TDSS functions.Teens and parents both felt that use of the system early in licensure may result in the adoption of safer driving habits even after the system is removed from the vehicle. Several recommendations to improve the system’s usability are made based on the results.
Technical Summary: 201113TS (PDF, 587 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 101113 (PDF, 514 KB, 65 pages)
Evaluation of Skid Resistance of Turf Drag Textured Concrete Pavements
Dragging a broom or an inverted piece of AstroTurf in the longitudinal direction currently textures concrete
pavements built in Minnesota. The macro-texture is specified to have a mean texture depth of 1 millimeter
measured by the Sand Volumetric Technique (ASTM E 965). Newly textured pavements are usually evaluated for
adequacy in providing a safe riding surface through texture measurements for acceptance and friction
measurements as required. The current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Technical Advisory on texture
requires that performance of non-convention textures be monitored and reported.
This report presents the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s study of AstroTurf texturing practices and
pavement friction. The friction numbers are collected using the ASTM E 274 standard and the values from the
Minnesota Road Research Project (MnROAD) were used to create a time and loading dependent model. Friction
numbers from various test sections around the state of Minnesota and the model created from the MnROAD facility
were then compared using visual analysis, descriptive statistics, Chi-Squared Analysis and the Mann-Whitney Z
Test.
After the completion of those tests, it was concluded that the three models created from the MnROAD facility were
validated from the test sections created around the road network in Minnesota.
Full Report: 201112 (PDF, 1.5 MB, 74 pages)
Evaluation of a Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber Reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composite for a Thin-Bonded Pavement Overlay
A need arose at the MnROAD research facility to provide a thin beam structural overlay on a moderately deteriorated concrete pavement test cell. This research was done to evaluate a polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced
engineered cementitious composite (PVA-ECC) and assess the prospects to utilize the material in the bonded
pavement overlay. PVA-ECC is a ductile material that can achieve extremely high flexural strength and tensile
strain capacity, characteristics which can prevent reflective cracking in pavement. The PVA-ECC mix was tailored
by including coarse aggregate to maintain some of the benefits of typical concrete pavements. Workability, flexural
and compressive strength, ductility and durability tests were done to assess the performance at varying fiber
contents. Results show that fiber at 16 lbs/cy achieved the highest flexural and compressive strength, at 1030 and
6910 psi respectively. The paired student’s t-test shows that 16 lbs/cy of fiber can improve flexural strength by
between 150 and 300 psi with 95% confidence. This small increase and lack of any noticeable ductile behavior do
not make the PVA-ECC beneficial for overlay applications. This research found that the modified PVA-ECC with
the low doses of fiber examined in this study are not suitable for the overlay at MnROAD.
Full Report: 201111 (PDF, 3.8 MB, 48 pages)
Minnesota Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Analysis Software State of the Art
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is working on developing a replacement product for the Transportation Information System (TIS), a mainframe database management system whose purpose is the maintenance, retrieval, and reporting of roadway and railway data, including roadway accident or crash data.
Technical Summary: 201110TS(PDF, 409 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-10 (PDF, 838 KB, 88 pages)
Advancing Public Interest in Public-Private Partnership of State Highway Development
This report examines the public interest in using public-private partnerships (PPPs) in state highway development by looking at maximizing efficiency gains, mitigating potential risks, and addressing public concerns in launching and deploying PPPs. The report focuses on three aspects of PPPs: understanding economic rationales of PPPs; legal and political aspects of PPP decision making; and managerial issues associated with deploying PPP projects.
Technical Summary: 201109TS (PDF, 1.1 MB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-09 (PDF, 2 MB, 67 pages)
Assessment and Recommendations for the Operation of Standard Sumps as Best Management Practice for Stormwater Treatment (Volume 1)
This report evaluated the performance of standard sumps as a best management practice for stormwater treatment, and found sumps were effective at collecting sediment at low-flow conditions, but the performance and required maintenance of standard sumps depend on watershed characteristics, weather conditions, and sediment loading.
Full Report: 2011-08 (PDF, 1.3 MB, 109 pages)
Program Options to Reduce Musculoskeletal Disorders in Laborious Work
This research develops a basic guide on how Mn/DOT should approach health and wellness in the workplace based on literature analysis and telephone interviews with non-Minnesota Department of Transportation safety staff and an expert in health promotion and wellness.
Technical Summary: 201107TS (PDF, 740 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-07 (PDF, 250 KB, 28 pages)
Evaluation of Buffer Width on Hydrologic Function, Water Quality, and Ecological Integrity of Wetlands
This research attempted to address the questions of how large wetland buffers need to be to provide sufficient protection to the wildlife and plant life from human activities that occur on adjacent land.
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Technical Summary: 201106TS (PDF, 581 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-06 (PDF, 3.9 MB, 92 pages)
Innovative Diamond Grinding on MnROAD Cells 7, 8, 9, and 37
This collaborative research project looked at how the diamond grinding process could be used to enhance performance, quietness, safety, and ride comfort by testing results of research conducted at Purdue University and MnROAD Cells 7, 8, 9, and 37.
Technical Summary: 201105TS (PDF, 497 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-05 (PDF, 2.1 MB, 69 pages)
Advanced LED Warning Signs for Rural Intersections Powered by Renewable Energy
This report presents the results of a two-year study on the development and evaluation of an Advanced Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Warning System powered by solar panels and rechargeable batteries to be used on rural through/stop intersections with static warning systems that have proven ineffective.
Technical Summary: 201104TS (PDF, 920 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-04 (PDF, 2.8 MB, 101 pages)
Optimal Workforce Planning and Shift Scheduling for Snow and Ice Removal
This project developed a methodology for efficient deployment of available crew, estimation of workforce requirements, and economic evaluation of the impact of using contract employees, split shifts, and staggered shifts for snow and ice removal in Saint Louis County.
Technical Summary: 201103TS (PDF, 852 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-03 (PDF, 2.3 MB, 154 pages)
Allowable Axle Loads on Pavements
This project developed a new TONN procedure, TONN2010, for use by Mn/DOT and others. TONN2010 uses pavement layer thickness, falling weight deflectometer (FWD) deflection basins, previous day’s temperature, pavement surface temperature, pavement location, and anticipated traffic to determine allowable axle loads on Minnesota low-volume roads.
Technical Summary: 201102TS (PDF, 815 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011-02 (PDF, 1 MB, 52 pages)
Investigation of Deflection and Vibration Dynamics of Concrete and Bituminous Pavements Constructed Over Geofoam
In 2000, Geofoam was used as an embankment fill on Trunk Highway 100 segment 3. In 2002, it was also used at Technology Drive to correct a slope failure. Concerns about vibration issues led to a retrofit with Multi-Depth-Deflectometers and a two-year study. This paper presents the results of that study.
Full Report: 2011-01 (PDF, 1.6 MB, 98 pages)
Street Tree Planning for Healthier Community Landscapes
This project implements 2008-32, The Road to a Thoughtful Street Tree Master Plan, which provides a step-by-step, pragmatic method for planning street landscapes. It also implements MnDOT's online Plant Selector tool, developed to ease the frustration of selecting the best trees for the most variable street landscapes by providing a user-friendly interface allowing search queries to be narrowed easily by region, species and environmental factors.
Technical Summary: 2011TREE01TS (PDF, 976 KB, 2 pages)
Putting Research into Practice: Maintaining Recreational Trails
Maintaining the ever-growing miles of recreation trails within Local Agency jurisdiction is proving to be difficult due to the increased demands on trail use and funding limitations. The timely maintenance of paved trail surfaces and the surroundings along the corridor is critical to maintaining a good trail system. This workshop focuses primarily on the management and maintenance of the trail pavement, but also includes other elements such as vegetation, drainage, signing/striping, lighting, amenities, etc. As part of the development of the workshop, a maintenance schedule and checklist for a typical paved trail was created. This workshop steps the audience through the use of the schedule and checklist and educates them on various pavement issues and treatments.
Contact the MN LTAP center for more information on when this workshop will be offered in the future.
Technical Summary: 2011RIC05TS (PDF, 803 KB, 2 pages)
Full Report: 2011RIC05
Putting Research into Practice: Decision Tree for Stormwater BMPs
The use of stormwater treatment strategies, often referred to as best management practices (BMPs), has increased significantly due to new stormwater regulations. The goal of this project was to create a scoping-level tool that could assist City and County public works staff in the selection of BMPs appropriate for specific projects.
Technical Summary: 2011RIC01TS (PDF, 455 KB, 2 pages)
Final Report: 2011RIC01 (PDF, 2.9 MB, 58 pages)
PowerPoint: 2011RIC01PP (PDF, 3.5 MB, 37 pages)
Research in Progress: Evaluating New Technologies for Soil Moisture Measurement
Results show that the DOT600 has the potential to be a workable and accurate replacement for MnDOT's current methods for measuring soil moisture. Comparisons of optimum moisture content using the DOT600's measurement of electrical properties—expressed as a percentage of the optimum target value for the period—are consistent with current optimum soil moisture content determined by the standard Proctor test.
Innovative Update: 2010- 030IU (PDF, 477 KB, 2 pages)
Research in Progress: Increasing the Gradation of Limestone Aggregate Bases to Increase Road Performance
Performance of test sections has not yet differed significantly enough to form definitive conclusions about the relative quality of the asphalt binders or saw-and-seal construction techniques. However, despite its higher traffic loading than other sections, the non-sawed test section using a Class 5 Modified aggregate base and PG 58-34 binder is performing somewhat better than others.
Innovative Update: 2005-005IU (PDF, 527 KB, 2 pages)
Pooling Our Research: Improving Road Condition Informatino for Interstate Travelers
The goal of the North/West Passage Corridor pooled fund study is to develop effective methods for sharing, coordinating and integrating traveler information and operational activities between states along the I-90/I-94 corridor from Wisconsin to Washington.
Technical Summary: 2011 TPF5(190)
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