Research and 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
Winston Inoway
Innovation and Implementation Manager
801.455.3911
winoway@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
Brad Loveless, PE
Research Project Manager
801.940.2583
bloveless@utah.gov
Quinten Klingonsmith
Innovation and Implementation Coordinator
801.386.0473
qklingonsmith@utah.gov
Joni DeMille
UDOT Librarian
801.965.4626
jdemille@utah.gov
Research & Innovation News / Hot Topics
SEPTEMBER 2022 NEW RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER
Brad Loveless is our new Research Project Manager. Brad started his career with UDOT in 2006 as a Rotational Engineer after graduating from the University of Utah. He spent 1½ years as a Roadway Design Engineer before transferring to the UDOT Willard Construction Crew where he served for over 9 years as a Field Engineer and 2½ years as a Resident Engineer. During his time in construction he has had the opportunity to work on project teams for a variety of projects including using digital delivery. Outside of work, Brad enjoys spending time traveling with his wife and 3 sons, and is always looking for an opportunity for new experiences. Some of his favorite places that his wanderlust has taken him include the Redwoods, Lava Tubes National Monument, and the Florida Everglades. His top five Clifton Strengths are Deliberative, Analytical, Discipline, Responsibility, and Harmony.
JULY 2022: NEW INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR
Quinten Klingonsmith is our new Innovation & Implementation Program Coordinator. He previously worked at the Utah Department of Workforce Services as an instructional designer. Quinten brings a wealth of skills to the Research & Innovation Division including project management, interviewing, writing, and video production. His top five Strengths are: Achiever, Connectedness, Learner, Analytical, Individualization. He earned a masters degree in Public Administration from BYU. Please join us in welcoming him to UDOT.
MARCH 2022: NEW INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER
Winston Inoway has been selected as the Innovation and Implementation Program Manager. Winston was previously the I & I Program Coordinator and producer of the Innovation Station video series. He is excited to advance department opportunities including the annual Innovation & Efficiencies Report, STIC Incentive Grants, EDC-7 Innovations, and the UDOT Innovation of the Year Award. For more information about any of these opportunities or to become a member of the statewide Innovation Council, contact Winston at winoway@utah.gov.
January 2022: NEW SPACE HERE FOR RESEARCH PERFORMED BY OTHER UDOT DIVISIONS
Following the Final Research Reports section below, a new space has been added for research done by other UDOT divisions. Project team members with UDOT’s Traffic and Safety division recently completed their work with NCHRP 22-33. Results and methods described in their final report may be of interest nationally. Take a look!
NCHRP Report 22-33 ISPE – Evaluation of Utah Longitudinal Barrier (September 2021)
October 2021: LITTER IN UTAH
Check out the new executive report prepared by UDOT’s Research & Innovation team that includes an overview of UDOT’s current state of practice for statewide litter mitigation, a national snapshot of mitigation investment, recommendations, and much more.
Highway Litter Mitigation
Research & Innovation Dashboard
Research Program
Everything we do at UDOT is informed by RESEARCH. Learn how in our video:
(Video length 3:48)
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 2022 workshop was held virtually on April 25-28, 2022. 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-22.07: Systemic Analysis of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety in Utah
UT-22.04: Active Transportation Facilities in Canal Corridors
UT-21.32: Utilizing ATSPM Data for Pedestrian Planning and Analysis – Phase II: Extending Pedestrian Volume Estimation Capabilities to Unsignalized Intersections
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
Aeronautics
UT-22.12: Electrification Plan for State of Utah Airport Infrastructure
UT-22.10: Air Mobility Trajectory Anomaly Detection and Operational Advancement
UT-22.08: Airports as Connected Activity Centers
UT-21.33: Strategic Deployment of Drone Centers and Fleet Size Planning for Drone Delivery
UT-21.28: Image Processing and Machine Learning Techniques for Automated Detection of Planes at Utah Airports
UT-21.28: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
Asset Management and Data Analytics
UT-20.20: A Synthesis of Third-Party Data Sets Used for Transportation Planning
UT-20.18: Assessing Close-Range Photogrammetry as an Alternative to LiDAR Technology at UDOT Divisions
UT-20.18: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-19.25: HERE Data Validation
UT-19.22: Using ATSPM Data for Traffic Data Analytics
UT-06.15a: Good Roads Cost Less Executive Summary (2006 Study Update) UT-06.15: Good Roads Cost Less (2006 Study Update)
Geotechnical
UT-22.02: CPTLIQ User’s Manual, Version 1.42
UT-21.21: Simplified Cone Penetration Test Performance-Based Assessment of Liquefaction and Effects: Phase 2, Tasks 5-10
UT-21.20: Simplified Cone Penetration Test Performance-Based Assessment of Liquefaction and Effects, Phase 1, Tasks 1-4
UT-21.18: Influence of Wingwall Geometry and Skew Angle on Passive Force Behavior of Bridge Abutments from Large-Scale Testing
UT-20.24: Assessing Corrosion of Extracted MSE Wall Reinforcement Coupons, Utah Phase II Study
UT-20.22: Probabilistic Liquefaction Triggering and Lateral Spread Hazard Maps for Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, and Utah Counties, Utah
UT-18.11: Simplified Standard Penetration Test Performance-Based Assessment of Liquefaction and Effects: Updated Liquefaction Parameter Mapping – Addendum Report
UT-18.10: SPLIQ User’s Manual, Version 1.41
Maintenance and Stormwater
UT-22.03: Incorporating Maintenance Costs and Considerations into Highway Design Decisions
UT-21.34: Time and Cost Benefits for Traffic Through Snowplow Operations
UT-21.25: Highway Litter Mitigation: Executive Report (September 2021)
UT-21.11: Investigating the Feasibility of Introducing Alternative Fuel Vehicles into Maintenance Fleet
UT-21.09: Analytical Framework for Life Cycle and Performance Assessment of Equipment Programs
UT-21.06: Comparison of Wet Reflective Elements with Tape – A Pavement Marking Study Based on Field Measurements
UT-21.02: ESRI Insights Phase II: The War Room
UT-21.01: Sources of Highway Litter in Utah
UT-21.01: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-19.23: Update of the Class 8 Truck Study
UT-19.12: A Data Fusion Approach for Extracting Highway Maintenance Features
UT-18.05: Back-of-Curb Evaluation Study: State Highway Right-of-Way Responsibility and the Utah Department of Transportation
Materials and Pavements
UT-22.15: Balanced Asphalt Concrete Mix Performance in Utah, Phase VI: Multi-Laboratory Testing of IDEAL-CT
UT-21.24: Balanced Asphalt Concrete Mix Performance in Utah, Phase V: Field Evaluation for Intermediate and Low-Temperature Cracking
UT-21.23: Salt Lake City Airport Parking Garage Visual Inspection Report
UT-21.23: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-20.13: Balanced Asphalt Concrete Mix Performance in Utah, Phase IV: Cracking Indices for Asphalt Mixtures
UT-20.05: Forensic Evaluation of Geogrid-Reinforced Flexible Pavement Sections on SR-10 Near Emery, Utah
UT-19.17: Performance Evaluation of Typical UDOT Surface Treatments
UT-19.15: Balanced Asphalt Concrete Mix Performance in Utah, Phase III: Evaluation of Field Materials Using BBR and SCB-IFIT Tests
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
UT-19.07: ASTM C-157 Standard Audit for Third-Party Shrinkage Testing Laboratories to Improve the Reliability of Results for Concrete Mixes
Planning and Project Prioritization
UT-22.05: Forecasting Travel-Time Reliability
UT-20.19: Street Network Connectivity, Traffic Congestion, and Traffic Safety
UT-20.09: Impact of Mobility as a Service on Transit Access
UT-20.03: Understanding Connected and Automated Vehicles’ Impacts on Utah Transportation Planning
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
Research
UT-21.26: Impact of High-Efficiency Vehicles on Future Fuel Tax Revenues in Utah
UT-21.14: Annual UDOT Workshop on Transportation Research Needs, 2021 Proceedings
UT-20.07: Benefits of Transportation Research in Utah
UT-20.07: Benefits of Transportation Research in Utah (Highlights)
UT-19.24: Annual UDOT Workshop on Transportation Research Needs, 2019 Proceedings
UT-16.07: Investing in Utah Transportation Research
Structures
UT-20.29: Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Decks Comprising Twisted Steel Micro Rebar
UT-20.28: Development of a Management Guide for Concrete Bridge Decks in Utah
UT-20.27: Chloride Concentration and Blow-Through Analyses for Concrete Bridge Deck Rehabilitation Using Hydrodemolition
UT-20.26: Effects of Surface Treatments on National Bridge Inventory Condition Ratings for Concrete Bridge Decks in Utah
UT-20.25: Polyester Polymer Concrete for Bridge Deck Overlays
UT-20.23: Evaluation of Bridge Deck Treatments along I-15 in Nephi, Utah
UT-20.02: Bridge Deck Chloride Testing Protocols: Study of US-40 Bridges Over the Provo River, Utah
Traffic Management and Traffic Safety
UT-22.17: An Evaluation of the Safe Speed Limit Setting Procedure and Tool for Utah
UT-22.16: Investigation of Secondary Crash Along Highways in Utah, Phase I
UT-22.14: Analysis of Using V2X DSRC-Equipped Snowplows to Request Signal Preemption
UT-22.14: PROJECT BRIEF
UT-22.06: Evaluating Ramp Meter Wait Time in Utah
UT-22.01: Predicting Lane Utilization at Signalized Intersections in Advance of Arterial Lane Drops
UT-21.31: Evaluating the Impact of Detour Messaging on Actual Driver Detour Behavior
UT-21.30: Non-Destructive Evaluation and Numerical Modeling of Unrated Installed Crash Barriers
UT-21.27: Developing the Concept of Operations for a Mobile Application to Interface with a Central Traffic Signal System
UT-21.27: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-21.13: Analysis of Benefits of an Expansion to UDOT’s Incident Management Program
UT-21.12: Evaluation of Methods for Left Turn Gap Analysis Using High-Resolution Signal Data
UT-21.08: Safety in Numbers? Developing Improved Safety Predictive Methods for Pedestrian Crashes at Signalized Intersections in Utah Using Push Button-Based Measures of Exposure
UT-21.07: I-80 Hybrid Regulatory Speed Limit Signing Design and VSL System Evaluation
UT-21.07: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-21.05: Data-Based Testing and Decision Process for Traffic Signal Steel Replacement
UT-21.05: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-21.04: Methodology for Evaluating Intersection Safety & Operational Performance with Left-Turn Phasing
UT-21.03: Utilizing Machine Learning to Cross-Check Traffic Data and Understand Urban Mobility
UT-20.16: Transit Signal Progression Algorithm for Supporting Redwood Road Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
UT-20.15: Multi-Stage Algorithm for Detection-Error Identification and Data Screening
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: Impacts of Changing the Transit Signal Priority Requesting Threshold on Bus Performance and General Traffic: A Sensitivity Analysis
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-19.27: Identification of Wildlife-Vehicle Conflict Hotspots in Utah
UT-19.26: Investigation of Utah Highway Speed-Limit Compliance Rates and Evaluation of Speed-Limit Design in Towns Along Highways
UT-19.21: Travel-Time Reliability in Simulation and Planning Models: Utah Case Study (SHRP2 L04 IAP Round 7)
UT-19.20: Non-Optimal Usage and Perception of a Protected Intersection for Bicycling and Walking, Salt Lake City, UT
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-18.02: Developing a Method to Identify Horizontal Curve Segments with High Crash Occurrences Using the HAF Algorithm
UT-18.01: Risk Assessment of Non-Motorized Access to Rail Transit Stations
Research Performed by Other UDOT Divisions
TRID is a comprehensive database resource for transportation research and literature searches.
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