A rich tradition
Established in 1959 through state legislation, the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) has sponsored more than 150 individual projects on a variety of topics. LRRB research generally falls into four main categories: materials and methods used in constructing and maintaining pavement; drainage systems and other utilities under the pavement; management of the roadside environment; and bridge construction and maintenance.

Grassroots involvement
The engineers who are responsible for county highways and city streets best understand the problems and challenges in providing safe, efficient roadways. The LRRB makes it easy for them to participate in setting the research agenda.

How the LRRB works
Local engineers submit ideas to the LRRB who selects and approves proposals. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) provides administrative support and technical assistance. Researchers from Mn/DOT, universities, and consulting firms conduct the research, and the LRRB monitors the progress. The LRRB budget has grown from about $86,000 in 1960 to $2.3 million, currently.

Advances
Recent research sponsored by the LRRB helps to improve the quality of Minnesota’s transportation systems. The impact of this research multiplies as more and more engineers see the potential applications through the LRRB Research Implementation Committee's technology transfer efforts.

Making a difference
The LRRB’s current research agenda includes projects to explore the impact of increasing winter load limits, study the use of fly ash for roadway stabilization, and look at implications of new traffic calming techniques on safety and geometric design standards.

Spreading the Word
If you have any ideas for research implementation, please contact Clark Moe, Research Implementation and Evaluation Coordinator at 651/ 366-3772.

How the LRRB Research Implementation Committee works...

For a contact list of LRRB Members, click here.