Minnesota’s next round of transportation research projects will explore using traffic signal data to predict crashes, evaluate various impacts of bicycling on the state and address a range of other transportation issues.

The state’s two transportation research governing boards have authorized funding for a total of 24 new research projects. MnDOT’s Transportation Research Innovation Group (TRIG) and the Local Road Research Board announced their Fiscal Year 2015 funding awards this week after hearing proposals from researchers in several states. MnDOT Research Management Engineer Hafiz Munir said the projects, which are listed below, reflect the needs of state and local practitioners.

“Many of the projects fall under the ‘traffic and safety’ or ‘materials and construction’ categories, which I think reflects MnDOT and local agency priorities,” Munir said. “Ultimately, all of these research projects address business needs of the people who build and maintain our roads.”

Links are provided to brief descriptions of each project (as provided by the researchers who submitted the proposals).

Environment

• Study of De-icing Salt Accumulation and Transport Through a Watershed (PDF) – LRRB
• Culvert Length and Interior Lighting Impacts to Topeka Shiner Passage (PDF) – MnDOT

Maintenance

• DSRC Based Warning System for Workers Safety (PDF) – MnDOT
• Examining the Impact of ASE in Work Zones on Driver Attention (PDF) – MnDOT

• Minnesota Local Agency Pavement Marking: Mining Existing Data (PDF) – LRRB

Materials and Construction

• Alternate Design Methods to Renew Lightly Traveled Paved Roads (PDF) – LRRB
• Optimal RAP Content for Minnesota Gravel Roads (PDF) – LRRB
• Bio-Fog Seal Evaluation (1) (PDF) – LRRB/MnDOT
• Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) for Urban and Suburban Street Application (PDF) – LRRB
• PCC Pavement Thickness Variation Versus Observed Pavement Distress (PDF) – MnDOT
• Evaluation of Recycled Aggregates Test Section Performance (PDF) – MnDOT
• Bio-Fog Seal Evaluation (2) (PDF) – LRRB/MnDOT

Multimodal

• Traffic Impacts of Bicycle Facilities (PDF) – LRRB
• Assessing the Economic Impact and Health Benefits of Bicycling in Minnesota (PDF) – MnDOT

Policy and Planning

• Barriers to Right-of-Way Acquisition and Recommendations for Change (PDF) – LRRB
• Modernizing Road Construction Plans and Documentation (PDF) – LRRB
• Stakeholder Attitudes, Knowledge and Engagement in Local Road Systems Planning Decision-Making (PDF) – LRRB

Traffic and Safety

• Examination of Driver Performance and Distraction with In-Vehicle Signing (PDF) – LRRB
• Safety Study of I-35W Improvements Done Under UPA Project (PDF) – MnDOT
• Evaluation of Intersection Conflict Warning Systems (PDF) – MnDOT
• Evaluation of Safety and Mobility of Two-Lane Roundabouts (PDF) – LRRB
• Framework and Guidelines for the Development of a Twin Cities Meso-DTA Model (PDF) – MnDOT
• Development of a Queue Warning System Utilizing ATM Infrastructure: System Development and Field Testing (PDF) – MnDOT
• Estimation of Traffic Conflicts at Signalized Intersections Using High-resolution Traffic Signal Data (PDF) – MnDOT