Reports 1990–2003
1990
Results of the Minnesota Highway User Cost Allocation Study
A cost allocation study provides information on the fairness of highway user taxes and fees with respect to different vehicle classes such as automobiles, buses, and various types of trucks.
1991-01
Detour Management Study
A simple and fair method for reimbursing local government units for use of their roads as detours by MnDOT was agreed upon by a task force consisting of MnDOT and county engineers. Nine different detours were evaluated by three methods of payment. The methods of payment are described in detail and the theoretical amount of payment for each detour is given. The actual amount expended for each detour under current practices is also given.
1991-07
An Interactive Simulation Program for Intersection Design and Operational Analysis
A microscopic, stochastic model for intersection design and traffic flow analysis is presented in this report. A simulation program, INTERSIM, based on this modeling, is developed. The INTERSIM program can be used to evaluate alternative control schemes and geometric configurations. INTERIM can also assist in solving traffic operation and management problems, e.g., determining optimum signal phasing and timing of intersections via an iterative process.
1991-08
Frost Heave Patterns and Optimal Design of Insulated Culverts
In this project, computer simulations of temperature distributions and frost heave patterns around culverts were carried out, and the effects of various insulation techniques were analyzed under weather conditions representative of Minnesota winters.
1992-02
Culvert Renewal
MnDOT investigated alternative means of culvert renewal in lieu of removal and replacement.
1992-03
Crack Sealing Bituminous Pavements in Minnesota
This report discusses the most commonly used materials and practices used by local engineers in Minnesota to seal and fill cracks on bituminous pavements. This report is based on the results of a survey conducted by authors in 1991.
1992-04
Infrastructure Management Software Use in Minnesota
The purpose of this report is to give an overview of the number of Minnesotan agencies that use infrastructure or Pavement Management software and provide information as to their common components and requirements.
1992-05
Recycling of Pavement Materials in the 1990's
The Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) requested that a report be written to provide information regarding the common methods of recycling, and to determine the status of recycling in Minnesota.
1992-07
Dust Control on Unpaved Roads
This report summarizes dust control procedures on unpaved roads used by various states and local agencies.
1993-02
Motor Grader and Snowplow Cutting Edge Durability Study
This is an evaluation of the wear characteristics of five types of cutting edges, both Motor Patrol and Snowplow, used in the maintenance of gravel roads.
1993-04
Reusability and Impact Damage Repair of Twenty-Year-Old AASHTO Type III Girders
This report describes the results of a four girder test series used to evaluate impact damage and effectiveness of repairs.
1993-06
Snowplow Truck Cab Ergonomics Task Force Report
A Mn/DOT task force was formed to design an ergonomically correct snowplow truck cab which is cost effective and efficient. After brainstorming problems relating to snowplow cabs, four main issues were identified: visibility, controls, warning systems, and comfort.
1993-08
Rational Test Methods for Predicting Permanent Deformation in Asphalt Concrete
In this report the existing test methods are reviewed to understand the mechanisms of permanent deformation in asphalt concrete.
1994-03
Evaluation of the E-TRAN Vehicle Propulsion Concept
This report examined the viability of the patented E-TRAN electric roadway and vehicle concept from an engineering systems point of view.
1994-04
Development of Design Guidelines for Use of Shredded Tires as a Lightweight Fill in Road Subgrade and Retaining Walls
This report discusses the production, past applications, and properties of shredded tires with respect to their use in lightweight fills.
1994-20
Indirect Costs of Utility Placement and Repair Beneath Streets
This report examines policy issues related to the placement of utilities beneath public rights-of-way.
1994-30
Culture and Re-Introduction of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in a Prairie Restoration
This project sought to examine whether it was possible to re-introduce naturally occurring soil fungi called vesicular arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae back into disturbed soils as part of a normal seeding operation for restoring a prairie.
1994-31
Development of Simulation Software for Modelling Pavement response at MnROAD
This report presents the development of simulation software for modelling dynamically loaded pavement response.
1994-32
Controlling Leafy Spurge and Canada Thistle by Competitive Species
This report contains an extensive literature review of the biology and weed control efforts of both leafy spurge and Canada thistle.
1996-09
Digital Signal Processing for MnROAD Offline Data
This report details a computer program based on statistics and signal process theory was developed to automatically detect peaks and valleys from sensor response signals obtained during live heavy truck and falling-weight deflectometer testing.
1996-16
Re-Introduction of Soil Mycorrhizae into Roadside Prairie Planting
This project was the first year of a three year study that seeks to define the variability in the mychorrhizal spores and other structures present in different ecosystems and determine if these fungi can be used as an indicator species.
1996-17
Dynamics and Stability of Capsules in Pipeline Transportation
This project studies a new system concept for freight transportation using capsules to transport cargos in concealed pipelines powered by linear electric motors.
1996-18
Blue Earth County CSAH 30 Superpave Level I Mix Design
This project brought SUPERPAVE technology from the laboratory to the field and obtained real Minnesota mix comparisons between the standard Marshall mix design and the new SUPERPAVE system; gathered and analyzed data from actual field studies; and demonstrated new equipment and testing procedures to state, county, and city staff.
1996-20
Runway Crack Repair Research Project (Silver Bay Municipal Airport)
A research project at Silver Bay Municipal Airport evaluated six different repair methods alternated along the 3,200- foot bituminous runway.
1996-24
Testing of Materials from the Minnesota Cold Regions Pavements Research Test Facility
The U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) conducted various laboratory tests on pavement materials from the MnROAD facility.
1996-32
Congestion Costs and Congestion Pricing for the Twin Cities
This report offers an economic analysis of the impact of road pricing.
1997-07
Road Powered Electric Vehicle Technology Study (Saints Road Project) Volume 1: Research Summary
(PDF, 4 MB, 53 pages)
Volume I of this report presents summary results of a 10-month evaluation of E-TRAN Road Powered Electric Vehicle (RPEV) technology to determine operational safety and system duability/reliability; technology effectiveness; snow and ice removal requirements; and cost effectiveness.
1997-11
Rollover Protection and Wheelchair Securement for Special Transportation Services
(PDF, 904 KB, 28 pages)
This report examines the Minnesota Rules that pertain to rollover protection and wheelchaire securement in vehicles that provide Special Transportation Services (STS) for elderly and disabled populations.
1998-01
Warning Flashers at Rural Intersections
(PDF, 3.5 MB, 88 pages)
This project sought to understand the effects of warning flashers on the safety of rural intersections.
1998-05
Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Pavements
(PDF, 1.4 MB, 44 pages)
The purpose of this paper is to provide explanations and rationales for an accompanying computer program, which models costs of alternative road surfacing materials over the lifetime of a stretch of road.
1998-07
Relationship Between Timber Bridge Characteristics and Asphalt Pavement Wear Surface Performance
(PDF, 2.2 MB, 67 pages)
This study assessed the magnitude of premature asphalt deterioration on timber bridges; identified the primary mechanisms responsible for wear surface deterioration; and suggested methods for improving asphalt pavement performance on timber bridges.
1998-11
Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Concrete
(PDF, 32.5 MB, 609 pages)
This paper documents researchers who conducted an experimental program to investigate production techniques and mechanical properties of high-strength concrete and to provide recommendations for using these concretes in manufacturing precast/prestressed bridge girders.
1998-14
Dynamic Ramp Metering Evaluation
(PDF, 6.2 MB, 55 pages)
This report documents the impact of dynamic ramp metering on Trunk Highway 169 (TH 169) from Minnetonka Boulevard in Minnetonka to 77th Avenue in Brooklyn Park and examines changes in traffic performance with regard to traffic flow, congestion levels, travel times, and accident rates before and after implementation of dynamic ramp metering.
1998-15
Roadside Prairie and Wetland Restoration: Mycorrhizal/Plant Factors
(PDF, 2.8 MB, 76 pages)
In this project, researchers studied mycorrhizal and vegetational characteristics at prairie and wetland restoration areas and includes specific recommendations for future restoration efforts.
1998-16
Salt Tolerance in Short Stature Grasses
(PDF, 7.5 MB, 100 pages)
In this project researchers used extensive laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies to determine the relative salt tolerance of select native grasses and forbs used to re-vegetate rights-of-ways within four meters of the pavement edge.
1998-20
SALT SOLUTIONS - Statewide Salt and Sand Reduction Initiative
(PDF, 2.7 MB, 82 pages)
This reports evaluates the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Salt Solutions program over the past two years and evaluates the components of the program, describes the technology, and provides a detailed cost-benefit analysis.
1998-23
The Use of Traffic Control at Low Volume Intersections in Minnesota
(PDF, 1.1 MB, 46 pages)
MnDOT studied the use of traffic control at low volume intersections to determine the crash experience at intersections with stop, yield, and no control for low and high speed conditions, as well as analyzing crash data to develop conclusions and recommendations.
1998-27
Statistical Relationship Between Vehicular Crashes and Highway Access
(PDF, 541 KB, 128 pages)
To fully apprize the Legislature of the potential impacts of access management, MnDOT has gathered information and conducted research in order to make recommendations covering a wide range of interrelated land use planning, engineering, and legal practices to maximize the operational efficiency and safety of all functional categories of roadways.
1999-15
3M Microloop Field Evaluation Report
(PDF, 541 KB, 128 pages)
This report looks at the effectiveness of microloops as replacements for the inductive loops that are used as advance detection sensors at actuated signalized intersections.
1999-16
Effects of Seeding Date on Establishment of Prairie Grasses in Minnesota
(PDF, 1.6 MB, 47 pages)
This research project investigated the effects of seeding date on native prairie grasses.
1999-18
Acoustic Emission Equipment for Infrastructure Monitoring
(PDF, 426 KB, 12 pages)
This project details the development and evaluation of an acoustic emission (AE) system for monitoring large scale structures, both in the lab and in the field.
1999-38
Establishment of Native Sedge Vegetation in Created Wetlands
(PDF, 8.4 MB, 172 pages)
This report presents the results of a four-year study on techniques for revegetation of native sedges in created basins.
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Include the following statement on each document that is distributed:
“To request this document in an alternative format, please contact the Affirmative Action Office at 651-366-4723 or 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota), 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). You may also send an email to ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us. (Please request at least one week in advance).”