The Local Road Research Board publishes a wide range of transportation-related educational materials. Our most recent and popular guidebooks, manuals and courses are available below. For all research reports, go here.
Contact our staff at research.dot@state.mn.us for more information.
Fog Sealing Chip Sealed Roads Can Improve Performance
A best practices manual is now available for local agencies to improve the chip seal experience. New research explored the cost-effectiveness of fog sealing over chip sealed roads, the ability of fog sealing to improve chip retention and fog sealing application methods.
Impacts of Deferred Maintenance in Minnesota
Pavement conditions along Minnesota’s state-aid, county, city, and township roads are anticipated to deteriorate based on current funding levels. New research identifies factors that impact maintenance spending and provides recommendations to help close funding gaps. A new fact sheet identifies the benefits of consistent maintenance.
Strategies for Effective Roundabout Speed Reduction
This report provides a resource for engineers to identify and select appropriate speed-reduction treatments for high-speed approaches to roundabouts. The research examines best practices and techniques that are the most effective at lowering approach speed.
20 Tips to Up Your Social Media Game
This best practices guide is designed to help the average local transportation practitioner communicate about transportation and public works topics more effectively on social media. It includes examples and tips from peer agencies of all sizes that local agencies can use to improve communication to citizens.
Environmental Impacts of Potassium Acetate as a Road Salt Alternative (University of Minnesota)
New research explores the environmental impacts of potassium acetate, which is effective on ice at lower temperatures. Researchers investigated the fate, transport and degradation of potassium acetate used as a deicer or anti-icer, and its toxicity to biota.
Increasing Cold In-Place Recycling Efficiency for Pavement Rehabilitation
A new tool will help local road engineers reliably estimate the curing time of a cold in-place recycling (CIR) layer. This cost-effective and environmentally friendly asphalt repaving method will now be more efficient.
Wet Pond Maintenance for Phosphorus Retention
New research sponsored by the Local Road Research Board offers cost-effective methods that local governments can use to prevent harmful phosphorus from being released into Minnesota lakes and streams.
Autonomous Vehicles: What Should Local Agencies Expect?
A new FAQ interactive resource guide helps local agencies prepare for and respond to Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) changes.
Minnesota Snow and Ice Control Handbook for Snowplow Operators
The newly revised field handbook offers guidance for snow plow operators on tools, best practices, and limitations for snow and ice control.
Catch Basins and Manholes: Products, Installation, and Settlement and Heave Mitigation
a new guide provides current information about manhole and catch basin installation and maintenance practices for municipal and county engineers.
Expanding the Transportation Workforce: Tools for Local Agencies
New tools are available to help local agencies recruit, train, and retain workers in the short term, while others help promote career opportunities to students and feed the longer-term worker pipeline.
Full Depth Reclamation Resource Guide for Urban and Suburban Street Application
A new guidebook, video, and fact-sheet provides guidance on the use of full-depth reclamation for rehabilitating urban and suburban roads.
Mitigating Seasonal Movements at Culverts
A quick reference guide for addressing seasonal movements at culverts and utilities. Topics include: causes of seasonal movement, susceptible soils, potential issues/evaluation, mitigation construction practices, utility trench treatment, and
MnDOT standards
System Preservation Guidance & Tools
This project produced an interactive guide that helps local agencies evaluate their transportation network preservation needs, communicate these needs to elected officials and the public, and select and implement strategies to address funding gaps.
Bicycle Facility Implementation – Quick Reference Guide
A companion to the MnDOT Bicycle Facility Design Manual, this guide offers a quick reference to key resources, FAQs, and more related to bicycle facility selection, design, and operations.
GIS Tools and Apps – Integration with Asset Management
A Quick Start Guide offers guidance on how to get started using GIS tools for managing public works assets.
Side-Dumping Plow Truck Piloted in Nicollet County
Video demonstration of adaption of a Mack Super Truck from its usual winter snowplow configuration to also haul a much larger side-dumping trailer in summer. Includes fact sheet.
Improving Roadside Turfgrass Establishment
The LRRB has developed a comprehensive online course for turfgrass installers. A website provides guidance to homeowners living near new turfgrass installations.
Pavement Preservation Guidance for Local Agencies
New pavement preservation guidance helps local road agencies review accessible and effective options for preserving the condition of local asphalt pavements.
Best Practices for Managing Utility Congestion Within Rights-of-Way
The guide focuses on the requirements of Minnesota statutes, including the powers they grant to local agencies to issue permits, require quality mapping and expect timely progress.