July 11, 2024

MDOT’s new guidance and construction specifications help determine when to use subgrade stabilization to support road construction and provide sustainable pavement. Unified best practices will facilitate consistent use of subgrade stabilization practices when needed across the agency. 

May 02, 2024

Ensuring driver safety in wintry conditions is a top priority in Michigan. However, icy bridges can catch drivers by surprise and be a serious threat to their safety. New MDOT research shows how the installation of weather-activated signs at bridge crossings can better alert drivers to dangerous conditions and induce them to slow down.

March 28, 2024

Concrete fascias along bridge decks often deteriorate more quickly than other portions of a bridge. To determine the causes of these failures, a recent MDOT project examined 40 bridges to identify trends and correlations of fascia deterioration. Researchers also developed a tool to assess damage and determine if repairs are needed. Study results were used to develop new repair methods for existing bridges and design options for new bridges, which will support safe and sustainable bridges in the state. 

March 08, 2024

Ever since MDOT’s research showed that adding green lights to the state’s winter maintenance vehicles can increase visibility and safety for everyone on the road, we’ve been busy putting the findings to work. Learn more about this project and in our new Implementation Spotlight newsletter.

February 02, 2024

Sufficient lighting and improved traffic controls can be used to mitigate pedestrian and bicyclist danger along fast and busy roads. New MDOT research reports that pedestrian and bicyclist crashes disproportionally occur along high-speed roads at night. Researchers evaluated and recommended countermeasures, such as increasing the amount of lighting at intersections, using high-visibility markings and installing traffic control devices, to effectively reduce the occurrence of these crashes.

October 05, 2023

State employees and members of the public who rely on access to MDOT’s right of way information quickly find that the system reflects different eras of archive technology. New MDOT research presents a needs analysis and design plans for modernizing decades of data using geographic information system (GIS) technology. 

September 07, 2023

Ferries remain an essential transportation link for Michigan’s islands. Thousands of residents, business owners and visitors rely on island ferry service to access healthcare, emergency services, jobs, and other economic opportunities. New MDOT research assesses how the state’s ferry operators ensure safe and equal mobility for island residents, offering recommendations to address future needs based on rider feedback and best practices from other states. 

August 31, 2023

Long-life pavements are more expensive to build than traditional roads but require less maintenance over time. To determine whether they’re a good long-term investment, a new MDOT research project evaluated four sample pavements – and all of the building materials and practices that were used to make them – to learn just how much taxpayers could save when a road lasts 50 years or more. 

August 22, 2023

While all roundabouts are generally safer than traditional intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, a new MDOT Research project found that location, design, signage and other factors can make a big difference on driver behavior and system performance. The project’s findings will help Michigan DOT plan and design future roundabouts that are safe and effective for all types of road users.

July 27, 2023

After repairing a concrete bridge deck, the Michigan Department of Transportation’s policy requires waiting nearly a month for the concrete to cure before it can be treated and the bridge reopened to traffic. But new MDOT research shows the concrete may be ready sooner than previously thought. As each day of closure can cost thousands of dollars in construction and traffic management costs, reopening sooner can save significantly.

June 15, 2023

We welcome you to review the Recent Research Results Report highlighting the past two years of research conducted by The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Reviewing this collection of project summaries will inform you of the research engaged in and provide a sense of the value of the research conducted.

May 4, 2023

Ever wonder how Michigan DOT estimates the travel times on the state’s highways? By monitoring traffic volumes, average speed and other data, MDOT can measure the performance of Michigan’s transportation network, provide accurate travel predictions and make a variety of transportation-related decisions and strategic investments to keep traffic flowing. A new MDOT Research project explains how it all works.

April 6, 2023

Railroad crossings can be tricky for drivers, especially when there isn't much room for a line of vehicles to wait. A new Michigan DOT research project studied driver behavior and provides recommendations for adding signs and pavement markings to make these intersections safer for everyone.

January 12, 2023

Modern road design practices recognize that each community has its own transportation needs, with a variety of social, economic and environmental factors influencing whether a person walks, bikes or uses another form of transportation to get around. A new Michigan DOT tool helps road designers work with communities to consider the larger context and build features that suit their location and meet all users’ needs. 

December 15, 2022

Perennially exposed to harsh weather, prestressed concrete bridges built in the 1970s and 80s may be subject to a unique type of cracking. This project produced new methods and tools to identify the damage and prioritize bridge maintenance to repair and prevent future damage.

September 22, 2022

Drones can help Michigan DOT collect data in support of a variety of transportation-related operations. Uses include traffic monitoring and analysis, bridge inspections, 3-D modeling, construction quality control, design survey work and more. 

September 08, 2022

MDOT Research Administration is launching a new Partners in Research website to highlight the diverse group of universities, consultant groups, and transportation leaders who have recently completed, are currently working, or have interest in MDOT research partners with our office. The website is intended to be a resource for public and private transportation stakeholders interested in our research partners and their specific expertise’s.

Quarterly calls for partners to be featured on the website will be sent out via GovDelivery and a link to a survey will also be available on the Partners in Research website for anyone interested in being included on the page.

For any questions, please contact MDOT-Research@Michigan.gov.

August 25, 2022

When MDOT wants to better understand driver behavior, test traffic control strategies and explore cutting-edge smart vehicle technology under safe and realistic conditions, it turns to Mcity, a world-class testing and research facility it helped to build right here in Michigan. A new MDOT Research project assessed Mcity’s current capabilities and future potential to support ground-breaking research on connected vehicles, related infrastructure and other transportation topics.

July 28, 2022

As water levels in the Great Lakes rise, coastal roads and other infrastructure in Michigan are at risk of damage from flooding and erosion. MDOT has a range of options at its disposal for mitigating the impacts of these hazards, from temporary strategies such as sandbagging to long-term solutions like redesigning the roadway. New research produced a decision guide and other tools to help the agency identify where intervention is most needed and which investment will produce the greatest benefits.

July 01, 2022

Transportation technology is evolving quickly, leading to safer and more efficient design, construction, maintenance and inspection practices in Michigan. By anticipating the skills workers will need to manage and operate these technologies throughout the next decade, MDOT has developed a strategic plan to prepare its workforce for the challenges of the future. Our new video, available highlights the technologies on the horizon and how the agency is preparing to meet demands.

May 26, 2022

Thoroughly assessing and managing risk is critical for keeping construction projects on time and within budget. To make sure the risk management process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible, Michigan DOT initiated new MDOT Research to discover the tools and techniques used by risk managers across the country. The insight guided researchers as they developed a new and improved set of customized tools, documents and guidance to ensure MDOT’s construction projects are on track to save time and money.

May 19, 2022

Dynamic message signs can be updated frequently to give drivers real-time updates about crashes, lane closures, inclement weather, and other relevant information. New MDOT research provides insight into the length, display duration and wording of effective messages so that drivers receive the info they need to make safe decisions in real-time. With greater understanding of how dynamic message signs should be used to get drivers’ attention, MDOT can maximize its budget and keep traffic moving safely. 

May 05, 2022

Slowing down and adhering to posted speed limits are keys to reducing deadly crashes, especially at freeway exit ramps. New MDOT research shows that targeting custom messages from dynamic speed feedback signs can be a powerful life-saving tool, alerting drivers when they’re going too fast and reminding them to lower their vehicle’s speed around curves.

April 28, 2022

Bicyclists and pedestrians made up about 20% of all traffic fatalities in Michigan in 2020. To make roadways safer for these vulnerable users, Michigan DOT is constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the state’s infrastructure with nonmotorists’ needs in mind. This MDOT Research project identified and documented a variety of design strategies and technologies that have worked well in other communities across the country. That info, combined with input from stakeholder groups across the state, will ensure all road users are considered in decisions involving Michigan’s transportation system.

April 14, 2022

The 9-mile stretch of US-23 north of Ann Arbor is Michigan’s first flex route, but given its success it likely won’t be the last. With nearly 70% of users reporting their satisfaction with the route’s technologically advanced traffic mitigation strategies, MDOT now has a prototype for adding flex routes to other congestion-prone roadways in the state.

April 07, 2022

MDOT’s innovative contracting program provides incentives for contractors to meet certain objectives – from completing projects more quickly to getting jobs done with less travel disruption – and rewards professionals who come up with thoughtful, creative solutions. New MDOT Research shows which strategies work best to achieve the desired results, leading to greater innovation and increasing efficiency on projects across the state. 

March 24, 2022

High winds, poor soil, pollution and steep terrain all contribute to a harsh and hard-to-grow environment along Michigan’s urban highways. Turf grass has traditionally been the go-to greenery solution, but its high-maintenance needs and short root system make it less ideal for these sloped areas. Determined to create green spaces that can prevent erosion with less upkeep, MDOT conducted a multi-year study that identified a variety of plants and installation practices that can result in beautiful and beneficial landscapes in even the toughest environments.

March 02, 2022

A recent BBC article, How Driverless Cars Will Change Our World, highlights the research being completed at Mcity to help further develop the Autonomous Vehicles, or driverless cars. Did you know, MDOT has contributed $3 million in research funding to the facility? Learn more about the research project behind the funding by visiting the link below.

February 10, 2022

A new Research Spotlight highlights MDOT’s efforts to determine when intermediate diaphragms should be used for stability in certain precast concrete beam bridges. Modeling data will help MDOT’s bridge designers decide when and what types of beams require extra lateral support.

February 03, 2022

A highly trained and specialized transportation workforce will help MDOT make the most of emerging technologies for years to come. A new MDOT Research report forecasts the skills that will be needed and recommends strategies to retrain current staff and recruit new workers to meet the demands of the future.

January 06, 2022

Grassy slopes along Michigan’s urban freeways once posed safety hazards and logistical challenges for MDOT maintenance crews. But thanks to new MDOT Research that shows just what to plant and how to achieve great results, these areas can become useful green spaces that reduce erosion, keep pollutants out of Michigan’s waterways and practically eliminate the need for maintenance.