Search Content

The reliability of variables used in the calculation of storm severity indices or winter severity indices (SSIs/WSIs) was evaluated via an expansive literature review, an international survey, and two rounds of interviews with data and device managers. A Recommendations Guide was created to help agencies who want to improve upon or build anew an SSI/WSI; and included a thorough outline of reliable data, data sources, and SSI/WSI calculation methods. A spreadsheet tool was built that guides a user through the process of choosing variables and methods to address their predominant weather concerns.

The appendices for Clear Roads report CR18-03, Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables," published December 2020.

At almost 80 million people, the Millennial generation will have a growing impact on many aspects of society, including transportation needs. Research (conducted largely in urban areas) suggests that this generation has different lifestyle trends than previous generations, which has created a need to re-evaluate transportation policy and planning. The objective of this project is to understand whether Millennials in small urban and rural communities have the same mobility mindset as those in large cities. Data was collected from survey respondents living in both urban and rural areas from multiple generations in Minnesota, Montana, Washington and Wisconsin. The results indicate that there were clear differences between urban and rural Millennials with respect to educational attainment, student loans, income, use of technology and their expectation for moving. These differences imply that alternative options for transportation may not be as viable in rural areas as compared with urban areas. However, the fact that rural Millennial survey respondents reported households with zero vehicles across all area types and that rural Generation X survey respondents had a higher percentage reporting that they preferred a bicycle to travel to school than their urban counterparts suggests that there are opportunities to provide alternatives that people will make use of in rural environments. Furthermore, with a higher number of households in rural areas reporting an annual income of less than $20,000, which likely limits their transportation options, there is clearly a need to consider how to allow these households to access healthcare, education and employment.

On behalf of the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB); the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) at Montana State University (MSU) and the University of California Davis (UCD) developed A Guide to Successfully Convert Severely Distressed Paved Roads to Engineered Unpaved Roads. The guide serves as a comprehensive information source on effective practices for converting severely distressed paved roads to acceptable unpaved surfaces. This final report recounts the effort associated with the seven tasks involved in the completion of this project; the location of each task deliverable; and future research needs to advance this topic.

The checklist and forms pertain to report 2019-42G, A Guide to Successfully Convert Severely Distressed Paved Roads to Engineered Unpaved Roads, and they also appear in Appendix A of this report.

This fact sheet pertains to report 2019-42G, A Guide to Successfully Convert Severely Distressed Paved Roads to Engineered Unpaved Roads, and also appears in Appendix G of this report.

This letter example pertains to report 2019-42G, A Guide to Successfully Convert Severely Distressed Paved Roads to Engineered Unpaved Roads, and also appears in Appendix G of this report.

The objective of this project was to investigate strategies state departments of transportation (DOTs) can employ to overcome challenges related to recruitment and retention of plow drivers and other highway maintenance workers. The project outcomes include two deliverables: a concise guide of innovative but practical ways for DOTs to recruit and retain a highly proficient, productive, versatile, and committed roadway maintenance workforce; and a more detailed final report containing all information captured in this effort. This final report includes case studies in several categories: recruitment programs (creating supplemental workforce with existing staff, partnerships with departments of corrections, and using social media for recruitment and public engagement); retention strategies (creating a positive workplace culture, employee benefits and incentive programs, promotion and leadership programs, employee training programs, and succession programs and mentoring); recruitment and retention for underserved communities; recruitment and retention of the next generation; and capturing information to improve your program (mentoring programs and check-ins with staff; surveys, focus groups, and interviews; and exit interviews). While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for recruitment and retention challenges, the project documented numerous strategies that a DOT can consider to strengthen recruitment and retention. Since many of these changes require long-term commitments by an agency, the strategy section is supplemented with tools and ideas to facilitate and manage deployment, including an outline of steps for implementation. Key findings from this research effort are provided, including overarching guidance and best practices as well as numerous research needs related to recruitment and retention of highway maintenance workers

This document provides guidance on converting severely distressed paved roads to engineered unpaved roads. Chapter 1 provides background on unpaving and an introduction to the guide. Chapter 2 guides the practitioner through a process of deciding whether a road is a candidate for unpaving and introduces the importance of involving the public in the decision. Chapter 3 provides a step-by-step process for doing a road investigation. Simple tools to analyze test results and determine likely future performance of the road are introduced. Guidance for considering potential safety issues is also provided. Chapter 4 covers designing the engineered unpaved road, introduces tools for determining an optimum blend of the existing materials, and if necessary, provides supplemental materials that may be required to increase structural capacity or optimize performance. Guidance for selecting an appropriate chemical treatment is also provided. Links to web-based tools for material blending, unpaved road performance prediction, and chemical treatment selection are provided as well. Chapter 5 summarizes key factors to consider during the conversion process and when maintaining the converted road. Chapter 6 introduces tools to determine life-cycle costs for converting roads. And finally, Chapter 7 provides guidance for communicating with, and involving the public in, the decision to convert a road or road segment.