Whether you’re a social media newbie or a communications guru, there are always new trends, technology, and platforms to learn about communicating online. That's why the LRRB developed this guidebook for local transportation practitioners that identifies best practices to communicate with residents 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 about transportation and public works topics.

A new tool will help local road engineers reliably estimate the curing time of a cold in-place recycling (CIR) layer, making this cost-effective and environmentally friendly asphalt repaving method more efficient. CIR involves pulverizing the top layer of old pavement, mixing it with water and a stabilizing agent, and reapplying the mixture to fill in holes and cracks. A final layer is added to seal and preserve the recycled pavement layer. The recycled asphalt layer must sufficiently harden before the top layer can be placed. Researchers developed a Curing Prediction Model spreadsheet and guidance to reliably estimate the curing process time. This new knowledge will help to optimize construction schedules and minimize traffic disruptions.

The LRRB is sponsoring research to develop a best practices manual for the mitigation of tenting or heaving of transverse cracks during the winter.  In Minnesota, tenting affects the riding quality and the safety of road users. Currently, the project team is conducting research to gain understanding of the severity of the tenting problem on different roads in Minnesota and the effectiveness of current mitigation measures. 

Your input will aid their understanding of the problem. Please take this 12-question survey that should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to respond.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Manik Barman at mbarman@d.umn.edu.  Please complete the survey by January 11, 2023. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Clear Roads is inviting members of the winter maintenance and research communities to submit ideas for consideration as future Clear Roads research topics. Research ideas can be submitted by anyone in the winter maintenance community and will be considered by the Clear Roads Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) alongside research problem statements submitted by TAC members. Clear Roads funds winter maintenance research in six topic areas, with a focus on:

• Evaluating winter maintenance materials, equipment and methods under real-world conditions
• Developing specifications and recommendations
• Investigating innovative techniques and technologies that will save agencies money, improve safety and increase efficiency
• Developing practical field guides and training curriculums to promote the results of research projects

The submission deadline is Friday, January 6, 2023.

Do you or your maintenance staff have an idea for a new tool or design to get the job done? Maybe you’ve discovered a way to improve a standard practice. If so, we want to hear about it! The Local Road Research Board’s Local Operational Research Assistance Program (OPERA) is for you. With OPERA, you can share your ideas with other agencies and road crews and get the funding you need to bring your ideas to life.

OPERA funds projects up to $20,000 through a request-for-proposal process administered by Minnesota LTAP. Proposed projects should focus on the timely development of relevant ideas or methods that improve transportation or maintenance operations. Proposals will be considered as they are received, so early submissions are encouraged. Pictured here: Catch basin trailer developed by the City of Lakeville with OPERA funding.

New research offers cost-effective methods that local governments can use to prevent phosphorus from being released into Minnesota lakes and streams. Rainwater washing over streets and other areas picks up pollutants that are harmful to water quality. Stormwater retentions ponds are designed to trap these pollutants in sediment to prevent them from overflowing. After high concentrations and releases of phosphorus—the culprit of toxic algae blooms—were found in some older or failing ponds, the LRRB worked with researchers to mitigate sediment phosphorus release. Using modeling, field measurements and data analysis, researchers discovered that treating the sediment with alum or iron filings, installing air diffusers for mechanical aeration, or sometimes using both practices are successful, cost-effective methods for preventing the release of excess phosphorus.

After road construction, soil in revegetation areas must retain adequate stormwater and provide stable embankments along the road. Revegetation can be challenging due to thin topsoil, and it often requires importing healthy organic soil and exporting excess construction soil generally unsuitable for plant growth. This study identified and tested ten regionally available industrial byproducts to use as soil amendments in Northeastern Minnesota.

Researchers found that most of the materials tested were suitable for amending soil for revegetation after road construction. The soil mixtures designed with organic and inorganic materials retained sufficient water, filtered pollutants and supported plant growth. 

In October, LRRB hosted 13 meetings with city and county engineers and maintenance professionals from across the state. We learned about current challenges and captured ideas for future research to keep Minnesota roadways safe and well maintained.

Photo at right: Mike Marti, SRF Consulting Group, provided an overview of the Local Road Research Board and gathered new research ideas at meeting with city and county engineers. Thank you to all who attended!

New Projects Reviewed by LRRB

At our fall meeting in October, the LRRB reviewed 56 proposals provided by university research teams based on needs identified by transportation practitioners across Minnesota during our 2022 research solicitation. The board met in early December to make final project selections. Watch for our update on the projects moving forward!

LRRB members: (l-r): Katie Walker, MnDOT Research & Innovation; Duane Hill, MnDOT; Lon Aune, Marshall County; Kristine Elwood, MnDOT State Aid; Paul Oehme, City of Lakeville; Kyle Shelton, Center for Transportation Studies; and Jim Foldesi, St. Louis County. Not pictured: Brian Giese, Pope County; and Wayne Sandberg, Washington County.

Matt Leonard Joins the LRRB

We're excited to welcome the newest member of the Local Road Research Board, Matt Leonard. Matt is the public works director and city engineer for the city of Monticello. We look forward to working with you!