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.
Speed Limits: Why Do We Have Them?
This video addresses the frequently asked questions relating to speed limits: Do lower speeds slow traffic? And should residential speed limits differ from other types of roads?
Catch Basin Maintenance Repair Trailer
This video shows how the City of Lakeville Street Division was able to retrofit an existing trailer to meet their current needs, thanks to funding from the LRRB’s Operational Research Assistance Program.
Decision Tree for Stormwater BMPs
This tool, which can be used at the project scoping stage, assists city and county public works staff in the selection of best management practices appropriate for specific projects. This tool walks users through five steps in the selection process, and is intended for use with projects that don’t have a regional stormwater facility available.
Best Practices: Managing Interactions Between Local Authorities and Major Traffic Generators
This document presents guidelines for Minnesota county
engineers on how to interact with developers of “wind farms” (technically known as large wind energy conversion systems or LWECS). However, county engineers in other states, other road authorities, and wind power developers themselves also may find this information valuable.
Pavement Management: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Roads at the Right Time
This video was developed to help local agencies understand and communicate the benefits of pavement management. It is targeted at non-users of pavement management or engineers wishing to convince their elected officials to implement a program.
Common Practices for Avoiding Bumps in Overlays
This booklet is intended to aid local and state highway construction, maintenance, and design staff understand the potential causes and possible remedies for bumps that occur during overlay construction.
Stormwater Maintenance BMP Resource Guide
This resource guide was created to supplement the Minnesota Stormwater Manual in regards to local government inspection and maintenance activities associated with various BMP categories. It can be used as a tool by city staff and policy makers for evaluating various BMPs to install based on anticipated long-term maintenance requirements.
Snow and Ice Calibration Manual and Training
This guide provides easy-to-use steps for calibrating snowplow sander controllers. It includes quick calibration sheets, calculation worksheets, and blank calibration forms for both manual and automatic controllers.
To Pave or Not to Pave – Narrated PowerPoint
This video was developed by the Minnesota Local Roads Research Board to inform the public about the many factors to consider when developing a plan to maintain or upgrade a gravel road.
2006 State Aid Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation Best Practices Manual
This manual, a reformatted version of LRRB Manual 2005-33, has been designed to be used as specifications for concrete repair of local city streets and county concrete pavements. It is intended to be used as supplemental specifications for constructing this work throughout the state of Minnesota.
Crash Mapping and Analysis Tool (Software)
The Minnesota Crash Mapping Analysis Tool (MnCMAT) enables users to analyze crash data based on a number of attributes.
Minnesota Seal Coat Handbook 2006
This revised Seal Coat Handbook is intended to be a practical tool for the designer and the technician.
Roads and Loads: Finding the Balance
This video discusses load limits, which are calculated using current pavement design and the amount, type and weight of the traffic using the road. These limits are set to protect our significant investment in transportation infrastructure.
How About a Roundabout? The Minnesota Experience
This video discusses the safety and design features that are used in modern roundabouts.
Hot-Mix Asphalt Design Tool
The purpose of this Web tool is to assist the engineering community in the design of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements.
Use of Warranties in Highway Construction
The use of warranties in roadway construction is a hot topic at the state and local level. Agencies across the board are looking for innovative ways to deliver construction projects and reduce maintenance costs and time commitments. This report examines how warranties may offer some relief.
Toolkit for a Career in Civil Engineering
Download this PowerPoint document to learn about what it takes to build a career as a civil engineer or technician.
Toolkit for a Career in Civil Engineering
This video discusses what a civil engineering career is, and interviews public- and private-sector engineers in Minnesota about their projects and experiences.
Toolkit for a Career in Civil Engineering
Here you’ll find resources for anyone considering a career as a civil engineer.
Erosion Control Manual for Local Roads
This manual will assist counties, townships and local units of government by providing guidelines and methods for effective erosion control practices on low-volume roads.