Thank you
**First Bullet (Note): TERRA was conceived as a new road
research governance structure.
Second Bullet (Note): TERRA was created after a task force of
government, industry, and academia representatives. Its charge was
to investigate road research governing structures and evaluate ways
to broaden the use of the unique capabilities of the MnROAD
facility.
Third Bullet (Note): ..Beyond Minnesota borders- Michigan
Department of Transportation (MDOT) was the second state DOT; to
become a member (in 2006) of TERRA. Next to join as a member state
were Wisconsin, North Dakota, NY State, and Iowa DOTs. Midstate
Reclamation and Trucking joined as a new industry member last year.
Iowa State University and Michigan Technological University joined
the University of Minnesota as University members. ***Emphasize the
partnerships in TERRA and the collaboration between industry
associations, transportation agencies, and university research
organizations to set directions for TERRA's research and outreach
activities. In FY2013 there were 2 new member
organizations:Midstate Reclamation and Trucking National Center for
Pavement Preservation
Flint Hills Resources is our newest member and just attended
their first meeting yesterday.
24 General Assembly Member Organizations:6 state DOT members.11
industry members.4 University members.2 national members.1 local
road research board.
**TERRA is a unique partnership of government, industry, and
academic stakeholders in a dynamic partnership to advance
innovations in road engineering and construction. Members come from
across the world.
General assemblyShare results, concerns, issues, etc.Needs
assessment (both research needs and implementation needs)Coordinate
research opportunities with TERRA member organizationsCreate an
annual research action plan Pursue opportunities for new projects
at MnROAD as cells are available, including opportunities beyond
MinnesotaEngage state, local, and national policymakers in
TERRAEstablish ad hoc task forces as needed (for example, Pavement
Conference planning, Innovation Series event planning, webinars,
meetings with FHWA staff, or specific pavement-related
topics)Develop annual TERRA-initiated projects reportDefine and
monitor annual research-related performance measures dataCoordinate
and conduct webinars to share research and implementation
resultsIdentify TERRA partners and define benefits
Executive CommitteePlan agendas for the general assembly
meetingsReview and approve TERRA operations budgetReview and
approve all annual performance measuresOversee the ad hoc task
forcesReview and approve TERRA-initiated project progress
reportsProvide guidance and direction for Membership Engagement and
Communications Committees
Research CoordinatorsEach state department of transportation
member will be required to identify a state research coordinator.
This representative should have knowledge of the pavement-related
research and implementation projects underway in their respective
state. The coordinators from each state will communicate as needed
to be sure research and implementation is being shared amongst
members, and may serve as ad hoc task force leaders. Although not
required, non-state member organizations may choose to identify a
research coordinator to participate in this group.
Ad Hoc Task ForcesAd hoc task forces will be developed as
directed by the general assembly. Each task force will be
established for a short-term initiative and will disband upon
completion of that initiative.
*MnROAD ReconstructionThe TERRA Research and Implementation
Committee brought together public, private, and academic partners
to develop a reconstruction plan for the MnROAD facility. During
the planning phases, project ideas were collected from TERRA
stakeholders and prioritized into hot topic areas based on feedback
from the subcommittees and the Board. This collaborative effort was
an outcome of the TERRA organization.
Pooled Fund Research ProjectsThe TERRA Research Committee has
successfully implemented 7 pooled-fund projects using the MnROAD
facility, involving multiple states, the federal government, the
Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB), and private
industry.--all projects were high-priority topic areas identified
by the collaborative efforts of the TERRA Research Committee. These
projects not only have funding commitments for construction, but
also to conduct the corresponding research, again highlighting the
collaborative efforts the TERRA organization fosters.
Pavement ConferenceStarted as the Minnesota Pavement Conference
but in 2011 transitioned to the TERRA Pavement Conference. The
event provides practical information to practitioners and others
interested in pavement design, construction, rehabilitation, and
maintenance. The conference examines national and local trends and
innovations to expand understanding of pavement challenges and
solutions. Each year the event draws around 200 people. In 2014 the
event will be held in conjunction with the Road Dust Institutes
Best Management Practices Conference.
*TERRA provides an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to
convene and discuss pertinent issues and possible solutions.
*TERRA organizes and hosts an innovation series event in
coordination with one of its general assembly meetings. These
events highlight innovative practices from TERRA members with the
aim of sharing results and spreading the implementation of
innovations.
This years Innovation Series event was held yesterday, in
conjunction with this years Mid Continent Transportation Research
Sympsoium. Chris Williams from Iowa State talked about
collaborative opportunities between bioeconomy and transportation.
We also toured the bioeconomy research lab and the BioCentury
Research Farm
Past innovation series have been held in Minnesota, Michigan and
Wisconsin.
It is important to note that TERRA does not endorse any
products; events are held only to disseminate transportation
engineering and road research information to stakeholders.
*This project is an example of a successful partnership built
through the TERRA organization (both MN and NY are TERRA members)
that takes advantage of the MnROAD faciltiy.
The project team knew thick overlays have proven successful, but
wanted to know if thinner overlays could be a more economical
solution. The project was supported by concrete industry.
What we learned: keep joints out of wheelpaths (pic on left),
for very thin concrete overlays, the bond between it and the
underlying asphalt is crucial. For Cold climate states, thermal
reflective cracking is an issue. From the MnROAD tests cells, we
found that the best performing cell is 6 thick with smaller panels
(6X6)
The performance of these and follow-up test cells were used by
this pooled fund to develop a rational design method and easy to
use tool so that engineers can reliably design the most economical
concrete overlay for their conditions.
The tool is currently being tested and evaluated; it should be
rolled out this fall and will be available nation-wide. This will
give pavement designers confidence to design for their traffic and
environmental conditions saving resources and money.
6 states have contributed $415,000 to fund this project.
Industry did not contribute cash but have been involved and support
this initiative.
*Communicating research results and innovative practices coming
from TERRA members is a key focus area for us. In addition to the
innovation series and website, we produce E-news articles and fact
sheets, and are conducting webinars along with an annual pavement
conference focused on brining innovation to practitioners. *TERRA
will be working on many initiatives in the near future. This lists
just a few of the action items that will be carried out.**
