Research results
2013 Technical Summaries/Reports
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
Instrumentation of Navistar Truck for Data Collection
The overarching goal of this project was to instrument the new MnDOT Navistar truck used at MnROAD. A rugged data acquisition, data recording and wireless transmission system was established for collection of various sensor signals from the truck. The truck was instrumented with a suite of 20 accelerometers, with these accelerometers being located both on the five axles of the truck and on the tractor and trailer bodies. In addition, the truck was instrumented with a differential GPS system and an inertial measurement unit in the tractor cab. A cRIO-based data acquisition system, a rugged laptop and Labview software together serve as a flexible platform for data acquisition. The above instrumentation of the truck will enable data collection on truck vibrations, enable analysis of correlations between truck vibrations and variations in signals of weigh-in-motion sensors, and enable recording of truck movements and pavement loads at MnROAD.
Final Report: 201301 (PDF,2.2 MB, 34 pages)
Design and Construction Guidelines for Thermally Insulated Concrete Pavements
The report describes the construction and design of composite pavements as a viable design strategy to use an asphalt concrete (AC) wearing course as the insulating material and a Portland cement concrete (PCC) structural layer as the load-carrying material. These pavements are intended for areas with heavy trucks and problem soils to increase the service life and minimize maintenance. The project focused specifically on thermally insulated concrete pavements (TICPs) (that is, composite thin AC overlays of new or structurally sound existing PCC pavements) and developed design and construction guidelines for TICPs. Both construction and design guidelines are considered in light of the construction and performance of TICP test sections at the Minnesota Road Research project (MnROAD).
Final Report: 201302 (PDF, 6 MB, 323 pages)
Case Studies of Transportation Investment to Identify the Impacts on the Local and State Economy
This project provides case studies of the impact of transportation investments on local economies. We use multiple approaches to measure impacts since the effects of transportation projects can vary according to the size of a project and the size of the area under study, as well as other exogenous factors such as existing economic and demographic conditions. We measure effects on economic output and employment to estimate impacts of specific investments, and address issues of generative versus redistributive effects of investments, as well as identify specific economic sectors that might be disproportionately affected by such investments.
Final Report: 201303 (PDF, 864 KB, 76 pages)
46th Street Pilot Street Lighting Project
Street lighting improvements provide an opportunity for governments to save money and to reduce their environmental footprint. New energy-efficient technologies are being perfected that are more efficient than standard high-pressure sodium streetlights. Light-emitting diode (LED) and induction are two types that hold promise of saving money while using less energy to reach light standards. This research project had two aims: (1) compare lighting performance between induction, LED, and standard high-pressure sodium streetlights, and (2) compare lighting performance among six LED brands/manufacturers and three induction brands/manufactures to evaluate consistency by vendor. This research evaluates the LED and induction streetlights on several measures: (1) energy consumption, (2) operating costs, (3) maintenance calls, (4) light levels and quality, and (5) public reaction/acceptance.
Final Report: 201304 (PDF, 1.9 MB, 41 pages)
Quality of LIfe: Assessment for Transportation Performance Measures
Quality of life (QOL) is a commonly used term. Defining QOL, however, is an ongoing challenge that experts often take on with minimal input from citizens. This groundbreaking research sought citizen input on what comprised QOL and what role transportation played in it. Further, this research explored in detail the important factors across the breadth of transportation and how the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) was performing on these important factors. The research encompassed three phases between 2010 and 2011: (1) an extensive literature review on QOL, (2) 24 focus groups that asked Minnesota¿s citizens about their QOL, and (3) a mail questionnaire about what matters in quality of life, transportation and their intersection. Eleven related quality of life factors emerged, including transportation: education, employment and finances, environment, housing, family, friends and neighbors, health, local amenities, recreation and entertainment, safety, spirituality/faith/ serenity, and transportation.
Final Report: 201305 (PDF, 2.3 MB, 161 pages)
2013 | 2012| 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005