The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) received over 30 research idea submissions. We then paired research ideas of potential external research projects with enthusiastic VTrans Champions. This resulted in 12 projects for which we solicited Letters of Interest from the universities on our Qualified Researcher List. Selecting from the received letters, we now have 11 potential research projects. We expect proposals for these projects by March 4 and plan for our Champions to briefly present them at our Bureau Directors Selection Meeting on
April 1. We are sharing these with you to reveal the breadth of potential research projects.
The 11 potential research projects include
- Quantifying Nutrient Pollution Reductions Achieved by Erosion Remediation Projects
- Utilization of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Sensing Technologies to Detect Voids and Sinkholes Beneath Roadways and Structures
- Reclaimed Stabilized Base—Stabilizing Agent Selection and Design
- Microsimulation Model Validation and Calibration for Intersections in Vermont
- Evaluation of Commercially Available Probe Data for Vermont
- Drift Fencing for Small to Medium-Sized Wildlife; Identifying the Most Cost-Effective Approach for Guiding Small to Medium Sized Wildlife into Crossing Structures
- The Effect of Agricultural Biproduct Brine vs. Rock Salt Brine on Vermont Roads
- The Feasibility of Design-Build Method for Smaller Project Procurements
- Vermont Stream Geomorphic Assessment: Vermont Regional Hydraulic Geometry Curves
- Railroad Crossing Concrete Panel Durability Study
- Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE) Culvert Upgrade
AOT Attends the Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting
In early January nine AOT staff headed to Washington DC to attend the
Transportation Research Board (TRB) 98th Annual Meeting
. The meeting program addressed all transportation modes, with more than 5,000
presentations
in nearly 800 sessions and workshops – including several focused on the spotlight theme for the 2019 meeting: Transportation for a Smart, Sustainable, and Equitable Future. AOT’s TRB attendees are preparing a
presentation
for AOT executive staff detailing event highlights, takeaways, and insights gained. AOT staff plan to implement some of the lessons learned at TRB here in Vermont.