Research Program

The research program identifies research needs through solicitation of research problem statements in October of each year. This provides department personnel with an opportunity to explain their needs and allows the academic researchers to submit research ideas in their field of expertise. An NDOT division or district must endorse a problem statement originating from outside the department. Once problem statements are approved, the statement is submitted to the Research Division to be screened by research staff to determine if the problem statements are consistent with research goals. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) then prioritizes the research statements.

In March of each year, the Research Division issues requests for proposals for the highest-ranked problem statements. The Research Division reviews the proposals for completeness and submits their recommendations to the RAC for prioritization. Setting priorities for the research proposals through the solicitation process allows the Research Division to develop a work program that is financially constrained and balanced against ongoing and recent research projects. After RAC meets, it recommends the list to the Research Management Committee (RMC).

In July the RMC selects the research proposals for funding. The proposals are included in the Annual Research Development and Technology (RD&T) work program. This program is submitted to the FHWA office for program approval.

For the approved research proposals, the Research Division negotiates a final scope of work and budget in August. The Research Division then drafts an agreement with a university or consultant. Research may be initiated only after the agreement is fully executed, which is generally the first part of January.

Technical panels are established for each research project that provides expert advice and direction to the Principal Investigator. Research is conducted with implementation in mind and its progress is documented in quarterly progress reports. Final reports are due by the project termination date. The implementation plan is approved by the appropriate NDOT division head or district engineer and submitted to the RMC for concurrence.

The Research Manual describes the organizational structures for research, processes, and procedures to develop, manage, and implement research and to administer product evaluation.

Research is the systematic study to establish facts on a specific topic and/or field. The crux of the effort is in the application of research results. In research, technology transfer goes beyond using the results of the departmentally-funded research to improve the department’s operations, but to share the results with the transportation community at large. The research staff disseminates the research reports to other agencies as well as affected divisions and districts within NDOT.

Research: Yearly proposals are selected, reviewed and prioritized. When these projects conclude, a research report is generated describing the scope of the project, outcome(s), and recommendation(s). The research reports are listed by year below and then topic. They have been broken out into smaller parts (approximately 4 MB) due to size constraints and your convenience.

2008
- Exploring Alternative Strategies for the Rehabilitation of Low-Volume Roads in Nevada (6 MB - Slow download)
  - Exploring Alternative Strategies for the Rehabilitation of Low-Volume Roads in Nevada Part 1 (2.3 MB)
  - Exploring Alternative Strategies for the Rehabilitation of Low-Volume Roads in Nevada Part 2 (3.7 MB)
- Winter Maintenance Improvements: Phase I (3 MB)

2007
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Continuous Shoulder Strips in Reducing Ran-off-roadway Single-vehicle Accidents (3.4 MB)

2006

2005
- Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation and Retrofit Design of Las Vegas Downtown Viaduct ( 2 MB)
- Implementation of Superpave Mix Design and Analysis Procedures for the State of Nevada - Volume V (1.3 MB)

2004
- Development of a Joint Density Specification Phase 1: Literature Review and Test Plan (374 kB)
- Investigation of Temperature Segregation in the State of Nevada (5 MB)
- A Study of Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Beams and Cubes (7.7 MB - Slow download)
  - A Study of Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Beams and Cubes Part 1 (3.5 MB)
  - A Study of Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Beams and Cubes Part 2 (4.2 MB)
- Design and Construction of NDOT 2001-2003 Superpave Test Sections (2 MB)
- Development of Criteria to Identify Pedestrian High Crash Locations in Nevada (2 MB)
- Development and Implementation of a Scour Monitoring Program for Selected Bridges Crossing the Truckee River (8.6 MB - Slow download)
  - Development and Implementation of a Scour Monitoring Program for Selected Bridges Crossing the Truckee River Part 1 (4.2 MB)
  - Development and Implementation of a Scour Monitoring Program for Selected Bridges Crossing the Truckee River Part 2 (4.4 MB)
- Impact of Construction Variability on Pavement Performance (16.5 MB - Slow download)
- Nevada DOT Tire Pavement Noise Study (5.5 MB - Slow download)
  - Nevada DOT Tire Pavement Noise Study Part I (2.8 MB)
  - Nevada DOT Tire Pavement Noise Study Part II (2.7 MB)
- Design and Construction of NDOT 200-2003 Superpave Test Sections (6.7 MB - Slow download)
  - Design and Construction of NDOT 200-2003 Superpave Test Sections Part I (3.1 MB)
  - Design and Construction of NDOT 200-2003 Superpave Test Sections Part II (3.6 MB)

2003

2002

2001

2000
- Development of Pavement Performance Analysis and Procedures (22 MB - Slow download)

1999
- Characterization of Nevada's Binders and Low Temperature Properties of Mixtures Using SHRP Test Part 2 (5 MB)
  - Characterization of Nevada's Binders and Low Temperature Properties of Mixtures Using SHRP Test Part 2-A (2.2 MB)
  - Characterization of Nevada's Binders and Low Temperature Properties of Mixtures Using SHRP Test Part 2-B (2.8 MB)

1998
- Development of an Advanced Driver Snowplow Assistance System (2.5 MB)

1997

1996
- Impact of Aggregate Gradations on Mixtures Performance (1.88 MB)

1995
- Development of Pavement Network Optimization System Performance Analysis and Procedure (167 kB)
- Non Linear Bridge Abutment Stiffness: Formulation Verification and Design Curves (1.6 MB)
- Characterization of Nevada's 1993, 1994, and 1995 Binders Using SHRP Tests (167 kB)
- Crack Sealant Manual (9.3 MB - Slow download)
  - Crack Sealant Manual Part 1 (4.6 MB)
  - Crack Sealant Manual Part 2 (4.7 MB)
- Regional Long Term Assessment of Channel Stabilityon the Truckee River NV for Potential Catastrophic Bridge Failure (557 kB)

1994
- Regional, Long-term Assessment of Channel Stability along the Truckee River, NV, From Verdi to Pyramid Lake: Implications to Potential for Catastrophic Bridge Failure (1.73 MB)

1993
- Headlight Glare Screen Panels Cold Temperature Impact Test (935 kB)

1992
- A Study of Pre-stress Changes in a Post Tensioned Bridge During the First 30 Months (1.33 MB)

1991

Please feel free to contact us:
Research Coordinator (775) 888-7803	Product Evaluation Coordinator (775) 888-7894

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