Best Practice Guide for Quantifying the Benefits of MnDOT Research

Best Practice Guide for Quantifying the Benefits of MnDOT Research
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 84
Release: 2013
Genre: Transportation
ISBN:

State departments of transportation around the country are exploring ways to quantify benefits of transportation research, especially in light of a trend toward performance-based outcomes, as seen in the MAP-21 federal transportation legislation. MnDOT initiated this project to conduct the following tasks: review and document practices in place at State DOTs from around the country; determine best practices that have the most potential for implementation by MnDOT; and recommend key milestones/steps for MnDOT to quantify the benefits of its research results.

Development of a Process for Quantifying the Benefits of Research

Development of a Process for Quantifying the Benefits of Research
Author: Howard Preston
Publisher:
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2017
Genre: Cost effectiveness
ISBN:

MnDOT Research Services funds and administers approximately 180 transportation research projects annually at a cost of slightly more than $3 million. This project developed an easy-to-apply process for quantifying the potential benefits of research and comparing the monetary benefits of implemented research results with the cost of doing the research. Researchers applied this process to a limited number of previously completed MnDOT research projects and determined that the potential three-year cost savings (approximately $69 million) of just 11 sample projects was enough to fund the cost of the entire research program for approximately seven years. The ultimate outcome of this project is a guidance document and user tool for quantifying the benefits of research recommendations.

User Guide

User Guide
Author: Howard Preston
Publisher:
Total Pages: 73
Release: 2017
Genre: Cost effectiveness
ISBN:

The Minnesota Department of Transportation Research Services has adopted a process for quantifying the monetary benefits of research projects, such as the dollar value of particular ideas when implemented across the state's transportation system. This process is adaptable to a variety of research topics and benefit categories. Research Services has incorporated the potential benefit-cost ratio of proposed research projects into the selection process for new projects. The purpose of this user guide is to explain the seven-step benefit quantification process and use of Research Services' benefit quantification spreadsheet tool. The tool calculates the potential benefit of research recommendations in terms of the potential cost savings that could be realized by their implementation, and estimates a benefit-cost ratio. The tool performs the calculations with user input values and serves as a repository for the data, assumptions, and sources included in the quantification process.

Transportation Librarian's Toolkit

Transportation Librarian's Toolkit
Author: Maggie Sacco
Publisher:
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2007
Genre: Library science
ISBN:

The Transportation Librarian's Toolkit is a product of the Transportation Library Connectivity pooled fund study, TPF- 5(105), a collaborative, grass-roots effort by transportation libraries to enhance information accessibility and professional expertise to serve the transportation community. At the time of publication study members included state DOT libraries in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Louisiana; and the University Transportation Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to the Toolkit, the study has also published an Interim Report of the formation, major activities and accomplishments of the study from its launch in October 2004 through its third annual meeting in September 2007. The Technical Advisory Committee members of the pooled fund study were instrumental in creating this toolkit, which is a product of the collective work of the study. The purposes of this toolkit are to ease the learning curve of those new to librarianship and/or transportation; to pull together the collective wisdom of pooled fund members on topics that the pooled fund has addressed through its work of connecting and networking transportation libraries; to serve as a living document, updated frequently in print and online; to capture some of the institutional memory that is leaving the DOTs as waves of retirements loom; and to give transportation librarians of varying experience levels and work situations some tools to inspire, enhance and streamline librarians' work as well as library operations to make the transportation library an indispensable resource within the parent organization.

Traffic Control Systems Handbook

Traffic Control Systems Handbook
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 670
Release: 1976
Genre: Electronic traffic controls
ISBN:

This handbook, which was developed in recognition of the need for the compilation and dissemination of information on advanced traffic control systems, presents the basic principles for the planning, design, and implementation of such systems for urban streets and freeways. The presentation concept and organization of this handbook is developed from the viewpoint of systems engineering. Traffic control studies are described, and traffic control and surveillance concepts are reviewed. Hardware components are outlined, and computer concepts, and communication concepts are stated. Local and central controllers are described, as well as display, television and driver information systems. Available systems technology and candidate system definition, evaluation and implementation are also covered. The management of traffic control systems is discussed.

Managing Selected Transportation Assets

Managing Selected Transportation Assets
Author: Michael J. Markow
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 199
Release: 2007
Genre: Airports
ISBN: 0309097894

NCHRP synthesis 371 explores the state of the practice for managing transportation infrastructure assets other than pavements and bridges, and documents gaps in knowledge and areas in need of potential further study.

Roadway Lighting Design Guide

Roadway Lighting Design Guide
Author: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Publisher: AASHTO
Total Pages: 134
Release: 2005
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 156051325X

This guide replaces the 1984 publication entitled An Informational Guide for Roadway Lighting. It has been revised and brought up to date to reflect current practices in roadway lighting. The guide provides a general overview of lighting systems from the point of view of the transportation departments and recommends minimum levels of quality. The guide incorporates the illuminance and luminance design methods, but does not include the small target visibility (STV) method.

Gravel Roads

Gravel Roads
Author: Ken Skorseth
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2000
Genre: Gravel roads
ISBN:

The purpose of this manual is to provide clear and helpful information for maintaining gravel roads. Very little technical help is available to small agencies that are responsible for managing these roads. Gravel road maintenance has traditionally been "more of an art than a science" and very few formal standards exist. This manual contains guidelines to help answer the questions that arise concerning gravel road maintenance such as: What is enough surface crown? What is too much? What causes corrugation? The information is as nontechnical as possible without sacrificing clear guidelines and instructions on how to do the job right.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts
Author: Lee August Rodegerdts
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2010
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309155118

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 672: Roundabouts: An Informational Guide - Second Edition explores the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of roundabouts. The report also addresses issues that may be useful in helping to explain the trade-offs associated with roundabouts. This report updates the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, based on experience gained in the United States since that guide was published in 2000.