2010 Mn/DOT Problem Statements

Mn/DOT FY 2010 Transportation Research Academic Proposal Solicitation

Each year the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Local Road Research Board (LRRB) seek research proposals to address the questions and concerns of transportation practitioners. This effort is coordinated in partnership by the Research Services Section (RSS) within Mn/DOT, the Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) at the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System (MnSCU), whose efforts are coordinated through the Chancellor's Office.

Who can submit proposals?

This solicitation is only open to University of Minnesota (U of M) and the Minnesota State College and University System (MnSCU) at this time. If you are from a different research institution or consulting firm please log out of this web site. If a broader request for proposals is issued you may be disqualified from bidding on any research projects if it is determined you had prior knowledge about a potential project.

Mn/DOT Strategic Topic Areas

These are related to Mn/DOT's Strategic Vision for Research. The Eight Strategic Program Areas for Research and Implementation and Strategic Vision for Research are further described in the PDFs below.

Eight Strategic Program Areas for Research and Implementation

Assessment of Strategic Vision Seminar

What research is being sought?

Throughout the year research ideas are collected from various sources, including city/county engineers and Mn/DOT staff. These ideas are documented as research problem statements (research needs, problem statement, road map, and end user products) and can be viewed online at www.dot.state.mn.us/research/probstat/probstat.html.

In order to ensure that the research proposed meets the needs of the practitioners, you must work with the contact listed for a particular research problem statement when developing the research proposal.

You may also submit proposals that are unrelated to a research problem statement. These proposals may be for implementation of innovative technologies or processes to address the Strategic Vision for Research (e.g. proposed training course, updating Mn/DOT manuals, creation of web seminar, etc.).

We ask that you contact the appropriate Mn/DOT research coordinator to ensure that the proposal matches a research need. The research coordinator can either help you or get you in contact with the appropriate person.

This is an academic research proposal solicitation; therefore, research proposals submitted may not have more than 50% of the work subcontracted to a consultant.

How to submit a proposal?

1) If you are interested in submitting a proposal to a specific research problem statement, you need to express interest to the following individuals:

U of M researchers should contact Jan Lucke at CTS to express interest at 651-625-8401, or via e-mail at jlucke@cts.umn.edu.

MnSCU researchers can submit proposals using the MnSCU proposal form.

Proposals should be sent to Mary Rothchild in the Chancellor's Office at 651-297-1585, or via e-mail to Mary Rothchild and Alan Rindels at mary.rothchild@so.mnscu.edu and alan.rindels@dot.state.mn.us.

The subject line should read "Intent to Submit Research Proposal".

Dr. Alan Rindels
Mn/DOT Research Services
395 John Ireland Blvd
Mail Stop 330, Room 175
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899

When will proposals be selected for funding?

Mn/DOT will review your proposals in November.

Researchers will be notified of the status of their proposal in the middle of December. Researchers will be notified at that time of any additional steps. These steps might include giving a presentation in the early part of January to Mn/DOT staff.

Mn/DOT research funds become available on July 1, 2009; however, depending on funding, earlier start dates may be approved.

Questions & Comments? Please contact Alan Rindels or Cory Johnson

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