No. 3: Developing Statistical Correlations of Soil Properties with R-value for Idaho Pavement Design; $42,247; 12 months; Mike Santi for Jeff Miles

Objectives:
1. To prepare a comprehensive, reliable data base of soil properties and R-values by making on-site visits to each district office (and HQ, if needed) to “mine out” available historical records, followed by data culling and checking
2. To conduct multivariate statistical analyses (and possibly geostatistical spatial analyses) to obtain correlations between soil properties (e.g. USC soil group, Atterberg limits, percent finer than #200 sieve, maximum dry density) and R-value. Expansion pressures of compacted soils also can be investigated for locales with expansive soils.
3. To develop predictive (regression) models for R-value (including the best estimate and the error, or “confidence) for specific zones within each ITD district or within particular regions of the state.
4. To publish an Idaho R-value guide (or manual), for use by ITD and by private geotechnical consultants contracted by ITD.
Output: White Paper and possibly Idaho R-value application guide.

---

No. 4: Survey of local highway district employees to determine workforce development needs; $24,647; 16 weeks; Greg Laragan

Objectives:
1. Create and conduct a Web-based and mail survey of the highway jurisdiction personnel of Idaho, both local and within ITD's Division of Highways, to determine the workforce development needs that exist and must be addressed through further training and retention policies.
2. Analyze data from the surveys, generate a final report with recommendations to ITD.

Output: A Web-based and mail survey instrument soliciting information from the highway jurisdictions of Idaho that will provide data on the current and anticipated workforce needs in the highway industry of Idaho. The survey will included analysis of the data to be used by T2 Center and ITD and a final report.

---

No. 5: Comparison of Micro-Deval test (AASHTO T327) values with Idaho Degradation test (Idaho IT15); $57,368; 12 months; Mike Santi

Objectives:
1. Provide Micro-Deval Test results for 54 Idaho coarse aggregates (nine per district) with a performance history of good, fair, or poor.
2. Compare the results with the Idaho degradation test results for the same aggregates as well as performance characteristics of these aggregates in Idaho projects. ITD will perform these tests and provide the results for comparison.
3. Report on the findings in this investigation.
Output: Research report

---

No. 6: Frequency Analysis for Superpave Compaction Project; $12,000; five months; Jeff Miles

Objectives:
1. Apply frequency (statistical) analysis for the collected sampling data to optimize sampling frequency for future paving projects.
Output: A report of the analytical results will be generated and a short research note may be written based on the results and sent to material journal.

---

No. 7: Lime-Fly Ash Stabilization of Pavement Subgrade Soils, Base, and Recycled Asphalt; $81,859; 12 months; Jeff Miles

Objectives:
1. The primary objective of the proposed project is to investigate the use of lime together with coal fly ash for the pozzolanic reaction to stabilize soil subgrade and granular base course under pavements.
Output: Research report

---

No. 8: Improvement of the Idaho chip seal surface treatment; $67,679; 12 months; Mike Santi

Objectives: The primary objective of the proposed research project is to evaluate the performance of Idaho's existing chip seal practice and identify the specific causes of aggregate loss from the pavement surface. Subsequently, investigate alternative materials/methods to improve the current practice and alleviate the associated problems.
Output: Research report, new standards/specifications.

---

No. 9: Transportation Library Connectivity (pooled fund project); $15,000; two years; Ned Parrish

Objectives:
1. Leverage the expertise of transportation libraries in other states to assist with the development of an online and in-house transportation library at ITD
2. Obtain access to online search tools that can help ITD staff better access transportation research information.
3. Foster regional cooperation with other transportation agencies in the Northwest.
Output: Access to an international system that would allow rapid retrieval of information and publications. A site visit will be performed by the technical liaison for TLC to assist the staff in converting from obsolete cataloging systems (i.e. access) to OCLC in the most efficient manner. The technical liaison has previous experience converting libraries to “current” programs and their knowledge and resources would be invaluable. There will be training by staff in using the newest versions of OCLC (Research Program Assistant has 20 years experience using OCLC and has all the basic training).

---

No. 10: Construction of Crack-Free Bridge Decks, Phase II (pooled fund project); $14,000; five years; Matt Farrar

Objective: To implement the most cost-effective techniques for improving bridge deck life through the reduction of cracking. The work involves cooperation among state departments of transportation, cement companies, contractors and designers.
Output: Continued research (this is second phase of existing research with Kansas, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Wisconsin); Major reduction in bridge deck cracking, an improvement in durability and an increase in the useful life of bridges.

---

No. 11: Evaluation of Non-Intrusive Traffic Detection Technologies, Phase III (pooled fund project); $15,000; 18 months; Glenda Fuller

Objective: Conduct field tests of the latest generation of non-intrusive traffic sensors. Field tests will assess the capabilities and limitations in detecting traffic under a variety of conditions. Specific test conditions will be driven by the needs of participating states.
Output: Research report.

See top research priority
See criteria & council members