All posts by Lea Burdette

Publishing and Technology Coordinator | MnDOT Office of Research & Innovation

Measuring the Livability Framework

MnDOT’s Office of Livability developed the Livability Framework to help guide planning, programming, and project development processes. It is being piloted in MnDOT Metro District.  The outcomes should result in more people focused outcomes for the plans, programs and projects in the District. The Livability Initiative wants each of the Livability Pillars of the Livability Framework to be thoroughly considered and evaluated when planners, project managers, and others make decisions about transportation policies, programs, and/or projects.

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Clear Roads Annual Survey of State Winter Maintenance Data

Clear Roads has published the results of their ninth Annual Survey of State Winter Maintenance Data, which compiles winter resources, material and cost data from 41 states for the 2022-2023 winter season. The spreadsheet includes all submitted data, as well as calculated statistics, winter severity index data, and a United States map that displays many of these metrics. The spreadsheet also includes data from the previous seven surveys (winters 2014-2015 through 2021-2022) and displays averages and changes across winter periods.

Stormwater Research Sees Practical Application in Twin Cities Metro, St. Cloud

Sophie Koch, CTS News, February 22, 2024

A long-running series of U of M research projects aimed at improving stormwater quality are beginning to see practical application by stormwater specialists from the Twin Cities metro area and beyond.

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Future of Mobility: Infrastructure Health and Security

Reprinted from Catalyst, November 9, 2023
—Pam Snopl

What’s next in the future of mobility? Infrastructure is always critical—the challenge of how to fund, protect, and maintain it continues unabated, whether from wear and tear or malicious cyberattacks. 

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Continuous Moisture Measurement During Pavement Foundation Construction

Accurate and timely moisture measurement of earthwork during compaction of foundation layers is crucial to proper construction and long-term durability of the pavement structures. Since the traditional methods for measuring moisture are point specific, expensive and/or time consuming. None of the existing methods have been able to deliver real-time, continuous moisture measurements that would aid engineers in delivering more durable pavement structures.

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Bio-Material Maintenance Treatments

Aging pavement infrastructure and the deterioration of pavement surfaces over time remain an ongoing challenge in meeting roadway user expectations. Preventive pavement preservation treatments that are applied on sound, structured-condition pavements can extend the pavements’ functional service life and reduce future maintenance costs. Fog seals are one of these treatments. Fog seals are applied by spraying a thin layer of emulsion onto the pavement to slow or in some cases reverse the damage caused by oxidative aging. Asphalt emulsions are the most common material used in fog seals. Rejuvenators are usually added to the formulation to lower its viscosity and possibly even rejuvenate the surface of the existing aged pavement.

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Sensor and Drone Technologies Help Maintain Minnesota’s Aging Bridge Infrastructure

Reprinted from Catalyst, September 9, 2023

As bridge infrastructure in Minnesota and across the country ages, maintaining and preserving the existing bridge network becomes increasingly important—and increasingly challenging. In Minnesota alone, 25 percent of bridge-deck area is more than 50 years old, and the number of bridges rated in “fair” condition has recently overtaken the number rated in “good” condition.

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