Research Section

Mission

We deliver knowledge solutions and innovations so that MoDOT can make informed decisions. Research staff administer contract research to outside organizations to solve organizational challenges.

Research projects are focused on how MoDOT can change processes, products or materials in order to do our jobs in the most efficient and economical manner.

The Research Section falls under the Construction and Materials Division within MoDOT and is located in the Central Laboratory building.

What We Do

We develop an annual research program, focusing on strategic areas such as Safety, Bridges, Pavements, Materials, Geotechnical Issues, Erosion Control, Maintenance, Multimodal Transportation, Best Practices and Customer Satisfaction.

The Research Section is also responsible for other activities:

Load and Resistance Factor Rating Methodology Recommendations for Missouri Bridges

Traditionally, MoDOT performed bridge load ratings using the Load Factor Rating (LFR) methodology. With the adoption of Load and Resistance Factor Design based Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) methodology, MoDOT is migrating to LRFR for rating bridges.  The primary goal of this study is to develop and recommend load posting polici...

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Developing Implementation Strategies for Risk Based Inspection (RBI)

This project's goal was to improve asset management through Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) practices. The research was intended to amplify the results of prior research that produced the Proposed Guidelines for Reliability-Based Inspection Practices. Under the new provisions of the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), bridge owners that implem...

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Safety Impacts of Fluorescent Yellow-Green Signs on Pedestrians

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifies the use of yellow sheeting for pedestrian or bicycle signs and fluorescent yellow-green (FYG) for school signs, with an option for the use of FYG sheeting for pedestrian or bicycle warning signs. However, switching from yellow or fluorescent yellow (FY) to FYG for pedest...

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The Effect of Rubber Fills on the Performance of Infrastructure

One of the most environmentally friendly methods to recycle scrap tires is by shredding them into tire derived aggregate (TDA). TDA possesses desirable properties for various civil engineering applications and has been successfully used as fill material in numerous projects. To address the limitations of previous studies, 27 direct shear tests were...

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First and Last Mile Connectivity for Missourians

By closing gaps in transit systems or by complementing transportation services, first-last mile transportation services are integral in enabling access to employment opportunities as well as other key destinations. This research study examined first-last mile service programs across the United States and assessed existing conditions in Missouri to ...

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Evaluating Sedimentation Impacts to Freshwater Mussels

Transportation system construction activities can cause increased suspended and redeposited solids in adjacent water systems, which may adversely impact freshwater mussels. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impacts of suspended solids on juvenile mussels including to establish the impact thresholds, to assess the effects of sediment ...

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