Need Statements - Research & Innovation

Need statements - RFP 2025 (FY2027)

The annual academic research solicitation is only available to qualified universities.

The need statements below are listed by research categories and include the project champion and advisor. Preliminary literature searches are attached to each need statement. These were conducted by the MnDOT Library for the purposes of developing the research need statements and to avoid duplication of research. They are not a comprehensive literature search for the development of the project proposal.

Category	Need statement	Champion	Advisor
Bridges & Structures	751: Resistances and associated pile lengths of non-displacement piles in sands using static analysis methods	Joseph Nietfeld	Barb Fraley
Bridges & Structures	752: Bridge approach roadway embankment improvements	Joseph Nietfeld	Barb Fraley
Environmental	754: Development of inlet protection BMP phasing performance and implementation criteria for all stages of construction	Dwayne Stenlund	Barb Fraley
Environmental	757: Characterization, functional longevity, and performance of natural textiles configured as sediment control retention materials	Dwayne Stenlund	Barb Fraley
Maintenance Operations	753: Modernizing MnDOT's pavement deflection analysis method to accommodate both FWD and TSD data	Eyoab Zegeye	Chad Kooistra
	768: Tools for improving visibility for snow plowing	Anthony Sellner	Jackie Jiran
	769: Best practices to prevent seal coat damage from underbody plow blades	Al Peterson	Jackie Jiran
	770: Assessing the chloride impacts on the pavement structure	Brian Pogodzinski	Jackie Jiran
Materials and Construction	755: Review of Field Produced Innovative Asphalt Concrete Mixtures	Joe Podolsky	Marcus Bekele
	763: Development of MnROAD database quality assurance check tools	Joe Podolsky	Marcus Bekele
	764: Improved seasonal load limits	Tim Andersen	Briah Carlson
	766: Effect of using RAP on gravel roads	Mike Suska	Jackie Jiran
	767: Best practice for seal coating and pavement markings with rumble/mumble strips	Ryan Fielding	Jackie Jiran
Multimodal	760: Understanding how e-bikes impact travel behavior	Kristina Heggedal	Chad Kooistra
Multimodal	762: Identification of viable commercial cargo electric bicycle business models in Minnesota	Lydia Anthony	Chad Kooistra
Policy and Planning	756: Improved calibration process for pavement distress collection and automated processing used by MnDOT	Melissa Cole	Briah Carlson
	758: Mapping heat vulnerability: A comparative rural-urban study of transportation impacts	Brad Utecht	Briah Carlson
	739: Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the analysis of qualitative public input	Jeanne Aamodt	Barb Fraley
	771: Best practices for using incentives vs. disincentives in contracting	Dan Sauve	Jackie Jiran
Traffic and Safety	759: Effectiveness of stop bar pavement markings in advance of controlled crosswalks	Joe Gustafson	Marcus Bekele
Traffic and Safety	765: Effectiveness of school zone speed limits as a traffic calming strategy	Vic Lund	Marcus Bekele