UDOT

“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

Winston Inoway
Innovation and Implementation Coordinator
801.455.3911
winoway@utah.gov

Joni DeMille
UDOT Librarian
801.965.4626
jdemille@utah.gov

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 2021 workshop was held virtually on April 20, 2021. For more information, see the links below or contact UTRAC@utah.gov.

Video: 2021 RESEARCH WORKSHOP KICKOFF and TRAILBLAZER AWARD WINNER

• 2021 Selected Research Projects Pending FHWA Approval
• 2021 Research Workshop Agenda
• 2021 Submitted Problem Statements
• 2021 Breakout Session Contacts
• 2021 Research Workshop Process
• 2021 Research Workshop FAQs
• 2021 UDOT Research Needs (2/21)
• 2021 Workshop Roles and Responsibilities
• 2020 Research Workshop Proceedings

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


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)

Environmental


UT-19.19: U.S. Highway 89 Kanab-Paunsaugunt Wildlife Crossing and Existing Structures Research

Geotechnical


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-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-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-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

Pre-Construction

UT-20.14: Model Development Standards in the Construction Industry and Beyond

Public Transportation


UT-20.11: The Role of Bus Stop Features in Facilitating Accessibility

UT-21.10: Estimation and Simulation of Daily Activity Patterns for Individuals Using Wheelchairs

UT-20.11: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING

UT-18.04: Impacts of Bus Stop Improvements

Research


UT-21.26: Impact of High-Efficiency Vehicles on Future Fuel Tax Revenues in Utah

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-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

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