Research projects
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Technical Summaries (TS)
Two-page reports that summarize research projects.
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
Educational, demos, presentations and more.
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- Transportation Research Syntheses (TRS)
Reports that identify important past and current research efforts on given topics.
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2008 Annual Report now available!
Mn/DOT Research and Innovation Mission Statement
Mn/DOT Research supports measurable improvements in Minnesota's transportation system by meeting the innovation and information needs of transportation practitioners and the transportation community.
Research headlines
Research Publications, News and Information
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005September / October 2009
2009 Research & Innovation Presentation Series
Managing Minnesota's Roadsides
What the Office of Environmental Services' Roadside Vegetation Management Unit Does and How We Can Help You Do Your Job
Tuesday, October 13
Noon - 1:00pm
Presenters
Tina Markeson and Ken Graeve
Introduction by Paul Walvatne
To view a recording of the presentation:
mms://stream2.video.state.mn.us/DOT/DOTResearchPres101309.wmv
*After the presentation opens in Windows Media Player, right-click on the video to see options for increasing or decreasing video size - You will need computer speakers in order to hear the presentation.
Did you know that Mn/DOT doesn't just employ civil engineers? Mn/DOT also employs Botanists, Horticulturalists, and Foresters.
The Roadside Vegetation Management (RVM) Unit in the Office of Environmental Services consists of just that. Botanist Ken Graeve, Horticulturalist Paul Voigt, and Foresters Paul Walvatne, Dan Gullickson, and Tina Markeson all have jobs that revolve around helping Mn/DOT manage our grass, wildflowers, weeds, shrubs, and trees along our roadsides. In some cases, they even use vegetation to help with snow control.
The RVM Unit helps districts with vegetation reviews during early notification memos for projects, helps Design avoid cutting down valuable trees, and helps Maintenance employees decide how best to manage planned and volunteer vegetation.
The RVM Unit also leads Research Projects that help Mn/DOT manage vegetation in the most efficient and cost-effective methods. Some of these projects include Living Snow Fences, Weed Mapping, and Wetblade.
For more information
Jake Akervik, 651-366-3738, jake.akervik@state.mn.us
ADA Requests
To request an ASL interpreter, please call 651-366-4720; to request any other reasonable accommodation(s) please call 651-366-4718. To connect either of these numbers, you may call the Minnesota Relay Service toll free at 1-800-627-3529 (TTY, Voice or ASCII) or 711. You may also e-mail your request to ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us. Adequate notice required.
Invasive Species
Putting Research into Practice:
Refining Noxious Weed Management
This project evaluated the relative efficiencies of two sampling plans for measuring weed infestations in highway rights-of-way. Results, while not conclusive, suggest that while 14-foot population distribution surveys require less time to conduct, they were less precise than 225-foot population density surveys at quantifying infestation.
Technical Summary: 200910TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2009-10 (PDF)
“This project gets us closer to applying a systems approach to reducing weed numbers by establishing a solid performance measure for evaluating weed management methods on a district basis.”
– Paul Walvatne, Supervisor, Mn/DOT Roadside Vegetation Management Unit
Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide Manual
Putting Research into Practice:
Calibrating the MEPDG for Minnesota
Investigators calibrated the 2002 Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide Manual of Practice for Minnesota conditions by developing input parameters, conducting a sensitivity analysis, and comparing MEPDG predictions to those of MnPAVE and the current design standard. Results helped debug the MEPDG software and reduce its bias and error in design predictions for both rigid and flexible pavements.
Technical Summary: 200906TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2009-06 (PDF)
“We made significant progress in helping AASHTO debug its MEPDG software, which will increase the accuracy and usability of future versions.”
– Jerry Geib, Mn/DOT Pavement Design Engineer
Stormwater
Issues of Concern Related to Underground Infiltration Systems for Stormwater Management & Treatment
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Transportation Research Synthesis (TRS) provides an overview of relevant literature, regulations, guidance, and other information related to a specific stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP), underground infi ltration systems with sump manhole pretreatment. This TRS is intended to serve as part of the justifi cation to prompt a review of this practice and related practices in the context of a revision to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual (MSWM).
In keeping with other reports in the TRS series, this report is conceptual and general in nature. For details and data, please refer to the documents listed in the reference section.
There appear to be compelling reasonsfor a comprehensive review of the issues and a significant revision of the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, to provide improved guidance and controls on the siting, design, operation, and management of these BMPs. This review should address, at a minimum, all the issues listed below. Multiple agencies and entities should participate in this review, including MPCA, MDH, MnDOT, MN Geological Survey, MnDNR Waters Division, USEPA, MN Duty Offi cer Program, University of Minnesota, and local regulating authorities (such as watershed districts and cities). A review of State and local permitting requirements, guidelines, and practices should be conducted to determine whether the recommendations of the MSWM are being followed and implemented by design professionals and permitting authorities. The need for additional research should also be considered. (read more)
Transportation Research Synthesis: TRS0903 (PDF)
Foamed Asphalt
Recycled Pavements Using Foamed Asphalt in Minnesota
Investigators gathered and recorded information about the best practices, construction techniques, mix design, specifications and performance of foamed asphalt recycled pavement, and used this information to develop preliminary design guidelines and specifications for the use of foamed asphalt in Minnesota. An evaluation of existing Minnesota projects showed that pavement layers recycled using foamed asphalt develop a uniform strength, and that the foamed asphalt formed a cohesive matrix when mixed with reclaimed material.
Technical Summary: 200909TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2009-09 (PDF)
“This project is helping to generate the awareness in Minnesota that foamed asphalt is a safe and proven technology, and it gives engineers the information they need to begin using this technology.”
– Roger Olson, Mn/DOT Research Operations Engineer
2009 Research & Innovation Presentation Series
What is Risk Management?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Noon - 1:00pm
Presenter
Phil Barnes, Assistant Director
Office of Policy Analysis, Research & Innovation (PARI)
To view a recording of the presentation:
mms://stream2.video.state.mn.us/DOT/DOTRiskMgmt071509.wmv
Presentation Materials
Risk Consultant Services Handout (PDF) | Presentation Slides (PDF)
Post-Presentation Survey
For more information
Jake Akervik, 651-366-3738, jake.akervik@state.mn.us
ADA Requests
To request an ASL interpreter, please call 651-366-4720; to request any other reasonable accommodation(s) please call 651-366-4718. To connect either of these numbers, you may call the Minnesota Relay Service toll free at 1-800-627-3529 (TTY, Voice or ASCII) or 711. You may also e-mail your request to ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us. Adequate notice required.
Dust Control
Best Practices for Dust Control on Gravel Roads
Road dust from increased traffic on aggregate-surfaced roads results in complaints from roadside residents, impaired driver vision, and potential hazards for drivers on narrow roads and at intersections. In this study, researchers evaluated three dust control products and determined a maximally effective application schedule for dust control treatments.
Technical Summary: 200904TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2009-04 (PDF)
This mobile dust collector, based on a device designed by Ado and Sanders called the Colorado State Dustometer, was built by the research staff.
A vehicle-mounted dust collector was selected to monitor dust levels because of its ease of operation, ruggedness and consistent field measurements. The collector was attached to the rear bumper of a Dodge 1500 pickup.
“Gravel maintenance at railroad crossings can be a safety hazard. Chloride applications at these crossings would reduce maintenance requirements for these problem areas.”
– Eddie Johnson, Research Project Engineer, Mn/DOT Materials and Road Research
Bridge Research
Putting Research into Practice:
Implementing a Fatigue Detail Classification Scheme for Mn/DOT’s Steel Bridges
This project implements research that classifies steel bridges based on the frequency and severity of fracture and fatigue-sensitive details that are present in each bridge. The gross ranking of bridges with high, medium or low need for preventive maintenance or special inspection will be stored in Pontis, Mn/DOT’s bridge management database, for use by bridge inspectors and those responsible for managing Minnesota’s bridges.
Technical Summary: 2007084TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2007-22 (PDF)
“This conceptually simple idea—gathering and classifying data from bridge plans and inspection records—means that important information will be readily available to help Mn/DOT manage its steel bridge inventory.”
– Jim Pierce, Mn/DOT Bridge Management Engineer
Invasive Species
Biological Control of Canada Thistle
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of the recently discovered biological control agent PST for the control of Canada thistle in roadside rights-of-way and prairie wetland restoration systems, and found that an integrated management system based on PST has a significant impact on the management of this weed.
Technical Summary: 200738TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2007-38 (PDF)
“Although we did not find the silver bullet, this study is a valuable stepping stone to future efforts to use PST as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to manage Canada thistle.”
– Paul Walvatne, Mn/DOT Roadside Vegetation Management Unit Supervisor
Rumble Strips
The Effect of Rumble Strips on Drivers Approaching Rural, Stop-Controlled Intersections
Researchers studied the stopping patterns of approximately 400 cars, trucks and other vehicles at selected rural intersections and found that in-lane rumble strips caused drivers to reduce speeds earlier and to a greater degree than at intersections without rumble strips. This was the third in a comprehensive series of studies on the effectiveness of in-lane rumble strips.
Technical Summary: 200642TS (PDF) | Full Report: 2006-42 (PDF)
“This study provides counties with some justification for implementing in-lane rumble strips as well as useful information for formulating rumble strip policies.”
– Brad Wentz, Becker County Engineer
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005