Research & Innovation Division

“Research: the distance between an idea and its realization.”
–David Sarnoff, pioneer of American radio and television
UDOT’s Research and Innovation division mobilizes research studies and employee ingenuity to help drive continuous Department evolution.
Our Research team partners with UDOT experts, Utah universities, and consultants to identify transportation research that meets UDOT’s most important needs. They prioritize these needs in an annual workshop hosted by the division. They manage research projects, promote implementation, share research results, coordinate with national research organizations, field-evaluate products, and provide information services.
Our Innovation team gathers and supports employee ideas, and tracks them through a development process with the goal of implementing the best ideas across UDOT. They head an Innovation Council whose Stewards lead grassroots innovation efforts in their own regions and areas. They also compile the most successful ideas in our annual Innovation and Efficiencies Report which is shared with Utah legislators and the public.
Together with our partners, UDOT’s Research and Innovation division helps keep Utah moving.
Research & Innovation Team

Research and Innovation Network Org Chart and Info Sheets
UDOT Research & Innovation Division
PO Box 148410
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-8410
Cameron Kergaye, PhD, PMP, PE
Director of Research and Innovation
801.633.0359
ckergaye@utah.gov
Rod McDaniels, MPA
Innovation and Implementation Manager
801.633.6219
rmcdaniels@utah.gov
David Stevens, PE
Research Project Manager
801.589.8340
davidstevens@utah.gov
Kevin Nichol, PE
Research Project Manager
801.870.4033
knichol@utah.gov
Vincent Liu, PE
Research Project Engineer
801.910.2006
vliu@utah.gov
Vacant
Innovation and Implementation Coordinator
Joni DeMille
UDOT Librarian
801.965.4626
jdemille@utah.gov
Research & Innovation News / Hot Topics
Research & Innovation Dashboards
Research Program


UDOT's Research Prioritization Process (Annual Research Workshop)

UDOT’s Research & Innovation Division holds an annual research prioritization workshop each spring (also known as “UTRAC”) to help determine how the Department allocates a portion of state planning and research funds allotted to each state via 23 U.S.C. 505(a).
Workshop participants include professionals from UDOT, FHWA, local governments, MPOs, transit agencies, universities, and the private sector. These technical stakeholders help to shape a leaner, smarter, and safer transportation network in alignment with UDOT’s Strategic Direction. The annual prioritization process matches up today’s toughest transportation challenges with the best problem solvers available to develop implementation-ready solutions.
Whether you have an intractable transportation-related challenge, or are part of a talented problem-solving team, UTRAC is here to help fuel tomorrow’s innovative transportation solutions today!
The 2021 workshop will be held virtually on April 20, 2021. For more information, see the links below or contact UTRAC@utah.gov.
Active Research
Final Research Reports / Final Presentation Recordings
Our most recent and frequently requested reports are posted under the gray subject headings below. Older reports can be accessed from this list:
Archived Research & Innovation Reports
For reports prior to 2011, please contact a Research Project Manager or UDOT’s Librarian.
Active Transportation and Micromobility
UT-20.17: Utilizing Archived Traffic Signal Performance Measures for Pedestrian Planning and Analysis
UT-19.06: Pedestrian Walking Speeds at Signalized Intersections in Utah
UT-19.03: Driver Compliance at Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings in Utah
UT-19.02: Surveying Non-Motorized Travel Behavior at At-Grade Rail Crossings
UT-18.03: Measuring Systemic Impacts of Bike Infrastructure Projects
Asset Management and Data Analytics
Materials and Pavements
UT-19.17: Performance Evaluation of Typical UDOT Surface Treatments
UT-19.11: Using Pavement Texture to Screen and Target Annual Skid Number Assessment
UT-19.09: Investigation of Concrete Electrical Resistivity as a Performance-Based Test
UT-19.08: Rapid Concrete Repair
Planning and Project Prioritization
UT-20.09: Impact of Mobility as a Service on Transit Access
UT-19.14: Key Enhancements to the WFRC/MAG Conventional Four-Step Travel Demand Model
UT-19.10: Impact of Shared Autonomous Vehicles on Vehicle Miles Traveled in Utah
Traffic Management and Traffic Safety
UT-20.10: Gauging the Effectiveness of Safe Routes to School Projects
UT-20.10: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-20.08: Evaluating the Quality of Signal Operations Using Signal Performance Measures
UT-20.06: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-20.04: Segment and Intersection Crash Analysis Methodologies for Utah Highways
UT-20.01: HOT Lane Detection and Management Scan
UT-19.29: Guidance for Enhanced Pedestrian Treatments within Reduced-Speed School Zones (RSSZs)
UT-19.16: Evaluation Criteria for Safe Routes to School Projects
UT-19.13: Assessment of the Effectiveness of Wrong-Way Driving (WWD) Detection System
UT-19.05: An Analysis of Decision Boundaries for Left-Turn Treatments
UT-19.04: Safety Effects of Protected and Protected/Permissive Left-Turn Phases
UT-19.01: Analysis of Performance Measures of Traffic Incident Management in Utah
UT-18.08: Streamlined Access Permitting Process
UT-18.01: Risk Assessment of Non-Motorized Access to Rail Transit Stations
Quickly get up to speed on complex research topics with summaries that include a list of recent reports, current and upcoming projects, names of relevant committees, and upcoming events like conferences and webinars.
Research & Innovation Events and Funding Opportunities