- 2015 MnROAD Workshop Outcome/Presentions
- NCAT Partnership
- DCT Status Update
Design Tools & Products
- Bonded PCC Overlay Design
- MnPave Flex Design
- Seal Coat Design
- Seasonal Load Limits
- Construction Tools
- MnDOT Materials Office
- MnDOT Library
- Research Services
- Pavement Interactive
- 2014 Peer Exchange
Improving the Way We Design, Construct, and Maintain Our Highways in Cold Weather Climates
MnROAD is a pavement test track using various research materials and pavements owned and operated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It finds ways to make roads last longer, perform better, cost less to build and maintain, be built faster and have minimal impact on the environment. Located near Albertville, Minnesota, the MnROAD test track was initially constructed between 1991-1993 and is one of the most sophisticated, independently operated pavement test facility of its type in the world. Currently MnROAD, works in conjunction with the MnDOT Materials Lab located in Maplewood, MN
MnROAD consists of two unique road segments located next to Interstate 94:
- Thousands of sensors that record load response and environmental data.
- A 3.5-mile mainline interstate roadway carrying "live" traffic averaging 28,000 vehicles a day.
- A 2.5- mile closed- loop, low- volume roadway carrying a controlled 5-axle tractor-semi-trailer to simulated conditions of rural roads.
- 2014 MnROAD Brochure
MnROAD celebrated its 20th year of operations!
Phase I and Lessons Learned
Phase-I Lessions learned include a summary of the first ten years of research performed at MnROAD from 1994-2004.
Phase II Research Underway
Phase II encompasses more than 20 research projects and reconstruction of over 30 test cells. Construction began in 2007 and continued in recent years and is expected to go till 2016..
TERRA, International Reach, and Benefits of Research
The Transportation Engineering and Road Research Alliance (TERRA) is a dynamic partnership of government, industry, and academia that continuously advances the innovations in road engineering and construction. TERRA helps to form MnROAD construction and research priorities to establish a cohesive and cost- sustainable research group.
MnROAD also works with international organizations and government research groups to provide research opportunities and dispersal of pavement knowledge. Researchers from all over the world have collaborated on pavement research projects and are using MnROAD data and research to improve roads in cold weather climates.
All of the data generated at the MnROAD research facility is free and open to the public.