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:

Striping Program

The use of wider (greater than 4 in) edge line pavement markings is recognized as a proven safety countermeasure by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). However, providing wider edge lines can pose challenges due to budget and striping capacity constraints. One strategy that could be used to address the capacity constraints involves reducing ...

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Developing a Hazard Detection and Alert System to Prevent Incidents

The proposed project aimed to develop a cost-effective, user-friendly, and reliable hazard detection and alert system to prevent crashes between construction equipment/vehicles and workers on foot in work zones. The envisioned system includes wearable proximity sensors for the workers and an in-vehicle portable detection system for the operators. T...

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I-70 Pavement Evaluation

Roadway structural properties on 463 lane-miles of Interstate 70 between Kansas City and St. Louis were determined using deflection, surface condition, and three-dimensional ground penetrating radar (3DGPR) data collected with the ARRB iPAVE Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD). Data was collected in the right wheel path of the travel lane in both the...

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Design Coefficients of Friction for MoDOT PTFE Bearings

This report evaluates the design coefficients of friction for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bearings, identifying key influencing parameters through a literature review and a detailed test program. Seven parameters were studied: PTFE material and surface types, size, contact pressure, temperature, sliding speed, and surface contamination. The anal...

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Intermediate Bents – Calculation of Restraint Factor

This report investigates the restraint at the top of the column of non-integral intermediate bents with closed diaphragms, a common connection configuration utilized by the MoDOT. Although closed diaphragms inherently possess some level of rotational restraint, the current design approach considers this type of connection as free, resulting in the ...

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Identification of a Response and Rescue Network for the St. Louis Region

Emergency preparedness and response are crucial for mitigating the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes. The St. Louis metropolitan region is vulnerable to earthquakes in the New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zones. This study focuses on understanding and addressing transportation impacts of an earthquake in the St. Louis region. An o...

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