Transportation Engineering and Road
Research Alliance
Rory L. Rhinesmith, P.E
Wisconsin DOT
Mid Continent Transportation Research Symposium
08/15/2013
Background
• Research governance structure formed in 2004 to foster a
comprehensive road research program
• Government + industry + academia = dynamic
partnership to advance innovation in road engineering
and construction
• Partnering efforts reach beyond Minnesota to include
transportation organizations in other states and Europe
TERRA Mission
“Enhance the performance and sustainability of
the transportation system by developing,
communicating, and facilitating
implementation of a comprehensive research
program on pavement, materials, and related
transportation engineering challenges,
including issues related to cold climates.”
TERRA Vision
“A dynamic partnership of government,
industry, and academia that continuously
advances innovations in road engineering and
construction.”
General Assembly Members
Industry
State and Local
• Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of
• Iowa DOT
MN/RMC Research and Education Foundation • Michigan DOT
• American Engineering Testing
• Minnesota DOT
• Associated General Contractors of MN
• Minnesota Local Road Research Board
• Braun Intertec
• New York State DOT
• Caterpillar
• North Dakota DOT
• Concrete Paving Association of MN/American • Wisconsin DOT
Concrete Pavement Association
University
• Flint Hills Resources
• Iowa State University
• Mathy Technology and Engineering Services
• Michigan Tech University
• Midstate Reclamation and Trucking
• National Center for
• MN Asphalt Pavement Association
Pavement Preservation
• Road Science, A Division of ArrMaz
• University of Minnesota
National
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration
• United States Federal Highway Association
Strategic Direction
• Bold, synergistic research program: Research agenda that expands
beyond MnROAD focus; leverages power of the group; utilizes diverse funding;
engages and benefits members and is recognized nationally
• Research implemented “on the ground”: Successful and visible
implementation of transportation engineering and road research applications
• Dynamic forum for research interchange: Continuous learning and
sharing that enables members to educate each other and adapt to politics and a
changing world through easily accessible information and ongoing exchange
• Proactive partnership expansion: New members identified and recruited
to increase research breadth, depth and resources
• Thriving, changing and sustainable organization: Constant
improvement of operational structures, roles, agreements and practices
Structure
• General Assembly
• Committees
– Executive
– Membership Engagement
– Communications
• Research Coordinators
• Ad Hoc Task Forces
Alliance Successes
• MnROAD reconstruction
• Pooled fund membership
• Pavement Conference
Benefits of Alliance
• Capacity to anticipate future needs and trends
• Research partnership expansion
• Leveraging of funds to meet common goals
• Improved collaboration between stakeholders:
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–
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Public
Private
Industry
Academic
Projects and Initiatives
TERRA Innovation Series
• Series of events focusing on transportation
engineering and road research
• Events will be held in TERRA member states
• Goal is to communicate TERRA activities,
innovations, and products through knowledge
transfer, exchange, and demonstration
Projects and Initiatives
Pooled Fund State Partnership: Design of Thin &
Ultrathin Whitetopping
• Delivering Design Tool
– Meet traffic and environmental demands
– Cost effective, long life pavement
• Providing a National Solution
Partner States:
MO, MS, MN, PA, TX, NY
Total Value: $415,000
Communication
• Website
• E-News
• Research Fact Sheets
• Annual Report
• Innovation Series
Future
• Implement next generation of
organizational structure
• Determine means to more quickly
implement research results
• Develop next generation of the
TERRA research plan
• Sustain and broaden communication
strategies
Contact
• Web
– www.TerraRoadAlliance.org
• E-mail
– General Assembly Chairs:
• Jill Thomas, Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association,
jthomas@mnapa.org
• Jim Grothaus, Univesrity of Minnesota, groth020@umn.edu
• Rory Rhinesmith, Wisconsin Department of Transportation,
rory.rhinesmith@dot.wi.gov
– Resource Staff:
• Maureen Jensen, Minnesota DOT, maureen.jensen@state.mn.us
• Stephanie Malinoff, Center for Transportation Studies,
malinoff@umn.edu
Thank you