The Local Road Research Board has funded 26 new research and implementation projects to address issues facing the Minnesota transportation community, including improving safety at roundabouts and environmental effects of sodium chloride alternatives.
Last year, the state’s city and county engineers proposed over 100 ideas for possible funding in 2023. In addition to the 16 academic research projects, the LRRB funded 10 consultant proposals through its research implementation program.
“Thanks to the input of city and county transportation practitioners throughout Minnesota, we have a great slate of new research projects this year,” said Jim Foldesi, LRRB board chair. “We value the contributions of our local partners and encourage you to stay involved by serving on a technical advisory panel or signing up for project alerts.”
To receive email updates about a specific project, “subscribe” to the project webpage below.
If you are interested in volunteering for a technical advisory panel, please email research.dot@state.mn.us.
2023 LRRB Research and Implementation Projects
Bridge and Structures
- Understanding Driving Causes of Bridge Replacement*
- Deck Reinforcement Detailing and Concrete Mix Additives to Reduce Bridge Deck Cracking*
Environmental
- Development of Biochar Specification Criteria as Soil Amendment for Slopes, Conveyances and Stormwater Treatment Systems*
- Assessment of Efficacy and Environmental Effects of Sodium Chloride Alternatives
- Wet Pond Modeling for Contaminant Retention and Maintenance
Equity
Implementation
- Impacts on Design Standards Related to Speed
- Safety: Developing Tools to Address Behavioral Factors Improving Local Road Safety
- Promoting a Career as a County/City Engineer
- Seal Coats: Synthesis of Minnesota Research
- Spray Asphalt Rejuvenators
- Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Tool
- Public Works 101 for Elected Officials & the Public
- Rural Guidelines on Prescriptive ROW
- Expanding the Transportation Workforce: Roadway Maintenance Workers
- Gravel Shoulder/Road Maintenance
Maintenance Operations
- Human-Centered Testing of Rear-Facing Display to Reduce Vehicle Collisions with Snowplows*
- Fleet – Life Cycle*
Materials & Construction
- Pavement Design: Performance of Base versus Subbase*
- Use of Plastics in Road Materials (Paving)*
- Sawing and Sealing Joints in Bituminous Pavements to Control Cracking
- Investigation on Mix Design of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Materials
Policy & Planning
Traffic & Safety
- Improving Safety for People Walking and Biking at Roundabouts*
- Behavioral Investigation of Temporary and Permanent Pedestrian Infrastructure*
- Right-Turn Lane Safety Improvements for Pedestrians
*Indicates joint funding by the Local Road Research Board and State Research Program. See MnDOT website for additional research projects, funded solely by the state research program.