Research Spotlights

All state transportation agencies can license federal software to design their state-owned pavements. To make this software more accurate for Michigan’s pavements, MDOT has invested in several research projects over the years. With more customized and effective pavement designs, MDOT can improve the durability and performance of its roads and minimize the need for future repairs.

In this Michigan DOT Research Spotlight, researchers developed a new procedure for successfully mixing Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in the field, where it will provide outstanding performance for the lifetime of a bridge.

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 highlights the technologies on the horizon and how the agency is preparing to meet demands.

Sloped grassy areas along urban freeways used to be a landscaping challenge, but new MDOT Research shows which plants grow best in these tough environments. The results are not only beautiful but environmentally responsible and safer.

Keeping pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorists safe is a priority for MDOT. By listening to experts and learning about strategies and technologies across the country, MDOT has given Michigan’s traffic managers and designers better tools and resources to create safer and more accessible intersections and roadways.

Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) offer bridge inspectors a way to check for bridge scour from the safety of the shore. This little remote-controlled boat can gather critical underwater data using sonar and other technologies, alerting officials to dangerous bridge scour more quickly and safely than traditional methods. Watch the video to see a USV in action.

Increasing the visibility of MDOT's winter maintenance vehicles required extensive research, testing and even a change in state law. Watch our new video to see how this MDOT Research innovation came together and the optimal configuration of colored lights and flash patterns for snowplows that make everyone on the road safer.

Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, give MDOT engineers a way to monitor traffic, conduct bridge assessments, inspect construction sites, assess emergencies and more; all while keeping their specially licensed MDOT operators out of harm's way. Watch the video to see these remote-controlled powerhouses in action.

Many serious vehicle crashes occur on icy bridges in winter. New MDOT research analyzes the effectiveness of weather-activated signs in reducing vehicle speed and decreasing crashes on icy bridges. Researchers evaluated and recommended sign types, such as including an LED border and displaying a warning message to drivers when there are wintry weather conditions.

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. 

This Michigan DOT Research Spotlight highlights MDOT’s research analyzing relationships between lighting conditions and pedestrian crashes, and identifying data-driven, cost-effective options for crosswalks with insufficient lighting. Nighttime pedestrian safety can be enhanced with appropriate light-based safety treatments, including LED light bars and smart lighting.

Developing airport infrastructure to serve electric aircraft and vehicles can provide numerous benefits. New MDOT research recommends Capital Region International Airport in Lansing for the initial installation of a multimodal charging station and provides a base model design and plan scalable to specific airports for additional installations.

Recent MDOT research highlights the agency’s conservation of the threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake and maintenance scheduling in rights of way in the Lower Peninsula. New techniques to survey the elusive snake and an understanding of its behavior near the side of the road will also reduce environmental compliance efforts. 

Implementing digital tools can improve MDOT’s daily workflows, from design through construction, by improving efficiencies and encouraging collaboration. But advancing digital delivery efforts also requires the agency to support its workforce through the transition and adopt new technologies.

MDOT needs accurate cost estimates of bridge repairs and replacement to improve budgeting and effectively allocate resources. New MDOT research updates a spreadsheet tool that calculates more accurate costs for bridge repairs and replacement across the state.

Emerging video analytics technology may offer a clearer view of roadway incidents and even capture near misses between vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and others. New MDOT research evaluates the current state of this technology, including its potential to provide real-time data to agencies and drivers about hazardous roadway locations.

Many serious pedestrian and bicycle crashes occur along high-speed corridors, often at night. New MDOT research analyzes the locations of these crashes and assesses the primary factors causing them. 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 crashes.

The new Michigan Highway Construction Cost Index integrates project-level data; regional variations; and economic trends such as labor and materials markets, inflation and unexpected events. Improved project cost estimations will support sound budget practices at Michigan DOT and decrease the risk of cost overruns.

A new MDOT research project highlights the main causes of bridge deck concrete fascia deterioration. A new tool will assess damage and determine if repairs are warranted. New repair methods for existing bridges and design options for new bridges will support safe and sustainable structures.

Enhancements to MDOT's pavement design process will support MDOT engineers in designing cost-effective and sustainable pavement. The process has been updated with new data, sampling and testing protocols, and locally calibrated models to represent Michigan-specific conditions.

This Michigan DOT Research Spotlight highlights advanced speed warning technologies shown to reduce driver speeds in critical areas such as highway ramps and curved highway segments. Updates to MDOT’s digital sign guidelines will detail where and how to place speed warning tools for maximum effectiveness.

New technology promises greater safety and convenience for drivers while presenting new opportunities and challenges for transportation agencies. One transportation pooled fund committed to innovation shares successes, learning and data in a recently released research compendium.

Michigan DOT explored supplementing bicyclist and pedestrian count data with crowdsourced data from mobile apps to plan safer, more effective infrastructure for nonmotorized travelers. Researchers created a new framework using the crowdsourced data to support estimates of people walking and bicycling.

This Michigan DOT Research Spotlight highlights cost-effective, reliable and easy-to-use remote water-level monitoring technology to make MDOT’s inspections of scour-critical bridges more efficient. The technology supports scour risk assessment prioritization, which optimizes maintenance efforts and results in more resilient and longer-lasting bridges.