Traditional chloride- and acetate-based deicers are widely used in maintenance operations to clear snow and ice from roadways.  

These deicers are cost-effective, but they can damage concrete and steel and have adverse effects on soil and aquatic ecosystems. 

While not yet widely available, agro-based deicers formulated using corn extracts offer a potential deicing solution that is effective for snow and ice removal and less harmful to infrastructure and the environment.  

Researchers tested a series of corn-based deicer blends to find the combinations that exhibited enhanced freezing-point depression, minimized corrosion, and melted ice at low temperatures. 

The top-performing deicers used different mixes of salt brine and three different types of corn-derived alcohols. 

While cost and logistics issues must be explored further, this research demonstrates that corn-based deicers, in terms of performance, may be viable for road maintenance use. 

Learn more about this project in Iowa DOT’s new research brief and the investigators’ technical brief and final report. 

Each year, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) honors the best transportation research projects from each of its four regions with a prestigious High Value Research award.   
 
This year, Iowa’s largest-to-date field study of electrically conductive heated concrete was selected for the award by the agency’s eight peers in AASHTO Region 3: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 

The research evaluated the performance of concrete heated with embedded electrodes – constructed in the parking lot at Iowa DOT’s headquarters in Ames – over the course of three years. The concrete, which can melt snow and ice without the use of deicers, could one day be a sustainable option for icy trouble spots like sidewalks that are not easily cleared during winter storms.     
 
Iowa is no stranger to the High Value Research award, having earned eight of these awards since 2013, including one just last year for its research into corn-based deicers as an alternative to traditional chloride- and acetate-based solutions for keeping snow and ice from forming on the state’s roadways.  
 
AASHTO’s Research Advisory Committee will recognize all 2022 winners during its summer meeting in July. Winners will also participate in a poster session dedicated to high-value research projects at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board in Washington, DC in January 2023.

Did you know Iowa DOT Research is always working to explore new ways to make transportation safer, more efficient, and cost-effective? Learn more about some of our research efforts currently in progress: 

• VKelly Slipform Paving Test. The Vibrating Kelly Ball (VKelly) test may be a viable option for measuring the consistency of a pavement mixture onsite before road work begins. To ensure the test produces accurate and reliable results, Iowa is leading a multi-state study to outline the step-by-step process, simplify the testing equipment, and develop guidance for test operators. The study is expected to conclude in March 2025. Subscribe and receive project updates here. 

• Bridge Strike Detection and Reporting. When a vehicle hauling an oversized load strikes a bridge, it can cause significant damage and decrease the bridge’s life expectancy. Drivers often don’t stop or report the incident, leaving authorities unaware of the damage and taxpayers on the hook for repairs. To make sure damage is paid for by the offender, Iowa DOT is piloting a first-in-the nation research project to detect bridge strikes in real time and match the data with vehicle records. The research is expected to conclude in June 2024. Subscribe and receive project updates here. 

Want to get involved? Learn how Iowa DOT staff, industry stakeholders and members of the public can all help advance research in Iowa. 

And find out more about other Iowa DOT research efforts on the News & Publications page. 

Since our fall research cycle opened on November 1, Iowa DOT has received 8 exciting new ideas (and counting)! 

These submissions offer innovative approaches and potential solutions to a variety of challenges related to all aspects of transportation in our state: design, construction, materials, operations, maintenance, safety, the environment, and more.

You can read more about all of the recently submitted ideas on Iowa DOT’s new Research Ideas website.  

Then, share your feedback to help these ideas become even better and to improve their chances of being selected for further development. 

And if you’re inspired, submit your own idea by February 28, 2021 to have it considered as part of the fall 2020 cycle.

Iowa DOT Research’s innovative use of virtual reality to increase community engagement was recognized in the March/April issue of Innovator, the Federal Highway Administration’s bimonthly newsletter.

Public engagement is essential to developing transportation projects that reflect the needs and interests of the local community. Traditionally, details about a project’s scope and shape are communicated through maps and artists’ renderings – 2D visuals that don’t always evoke excitement or interaction among community members. To increase participation and help members of the community become more actively engaged in the project development process, Iowa DOT Research partnered with researchers from Iowa State University to create a one-of-a-kind, virtual reality demonstration – a 3D, immersive experience of the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge replacement project. By providing users with the ability to explore the bridge and surrounding areas virtually, the technology helped to showcase project details, increase public engagement and generate valuable feedback. 

The success has inspired Iowa DOT to consider using virtual reality for a variety of interactive and educational demonstrations in the future, such as driving near work zones or flooded roadways and passing bicycles safely.

Learn more about how Iowa DOT is using virtual reality to increase safety and enhance community engagement in the new issue of Innovator.

Each year, Operation Safe Driver Week reminds us of the importance of safe driving practices.

Taking place this week, from July 9-15, the annual event aims to reduce crashes and save lives.

Road safety is a cause that’s near and dear to Iowa DOT Research. Through the Partnership for the Transformation of Traffic Safety Culture pooled fund, we’ve combined resources with 13 other similarly motivated state transportation agencies to find, fund and implement innovative strategies that increase safety for all road users.

By working together, the pooled fund has accomplished way more than an individual agency could on its own limited budget. From investigating the effects of cannabis use on driver behavior to identifying ways to reduce drivers’ cell phone use, the pooled fund has advanced the state of knowledge on dozens of road safety topics.

Learn more about Iowa DOT’s involvement with pooled funds and how it helps the agency make the most of every research investment. </p>

Behind every Iowa DOT research innovation is a real human being dedicated to helping ideas become reality. Here you can learn more about the Iowa DOT Research staff members and what makes them tick. 

Name: Khyle Clute, SPR Research Engineer, Research & Analytics Bureau. 
Number of years in this role: 3 

What do you do in the Research & Analytics Bureau? 

I manage the research portion of the federally funded State Planning and Research program.  

This involves research idea development, contract and finance coordination, project oversight and closeout, and implementation and promotion of results in Iowa and around the nation. 

Have you always been drawn to research? What has your career path been like? 

My draw to research started in college while pursuing seemingly disjointed degrees in Psychology and Civil Engineering. I was drawn to the apparent disagreement between drivers’ perceptions of their abilities versus actual behavior and resulting crashes. 

I was able to explore this during my six-month co-op experience with Iowa DOT’s Traffic and Safety Bureau beginning in July 2006. My interest and involvement in crash data analysis led to a 21-month shared research student position between Iowa DOT and Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation. 

In the fall of 2008, I was able to take advantage of Iowa DOT’s Transportation Engineer Associate program, which allowed for students in their last year of study to accept a full-time position pending graduation and certification requirements.  

I was offered a position in the Methods Section of the Design Bureau, where I focused on work zones, pavement markings and supporting design decisions based on crash analysis and research. After becoming a licensed Civil Engineer, this expanded to include roadside design, safety hardware and inclusion in some of the initial asset management and in-service performance evaluation efforts for Iowa DOT. 

The transition to my current position as the SPR Research Engineer began in fall of 2017 when I accepted a position back at the Institute of Transportation to fulfill an in-house consulting opportunity for Iowa DOT’s Research and Analytics Bureau.  

Early this year, I followed the position to the Iowa County Engineers Association Service Bureau where I remain as the SPR Research Engineer.

What’s your favorite part of your work? 

I really enjoy developing the foundation of an idea into a project and trying to locate or determine the need to gather supporting data to serve as the basis of existing conditions and forming it in such a way that as we capture data during the project, we’re able to make the needed connections.  

Doing so allows us to determine what is actually taking place during the study such that we’re able to appropriately associate successful outcomes and shape operational changes accordingly. Being able to share these outcomes with other partners in Iowa and around the country is a wonderful payoff. 

What initiative on the horizon do you think will make a big impact for the research bureau? 

As an increasing number of vehicles on the road become equipped with smart technology, we are going to enter a data expansion like we’ve never seen in the transportation industry. The trick will be forming the relationships between the departments of transportation and the vehicle users and manufacturers that enable for two-way communication that benefit both parties.  

The DOTs stand to gain real-time data gathering of the roadway network, traffic conflicts and maintenance needs. Vehicle users stand to gain advanced notice of potential traffic issues, route optimization opportunities and roadway crash history and lane departure warnings.  

Harnessing this data will be a massive undertaking but the benefits could transform the DOT-user relationship in a way that hasn’t been seen before. 

What do you like to do in your time off? 

As the father of two boys that are always on the go, there are always video games to be played, bikes to be ridden and make-believe monsters to be captured.

Since it launched 18 months ago, Iowa DOT Research’s Ideas site has revolutionized Iowa’s system of collecting, developing and funding great transportation ideas. The site has allowed more than a thousand users from across the state to submit and discuss ideas online, dramatically reducing the amount of time the process takes and allowing for more timely responses. Ideas that are selected to advance are then matched with an appropriate research program or partner for funding. 

Most of Iowa’s research projects are funded through the Iowa Highway Research Board, State Transportation Innovation Council or with federal State Planning & Research funds, but a variety of other research programs are available as well. Last year, the Iowa Transportation Commission added Transportation Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) to this list, allowing Ideas site submissions to be considered for TSIP funds. While it may seem like a small administrative change, the move has expedited the TSIP process and made it possible for $500,000 in traffic and roadway safety improvements to be awarded to safety-specific research efforts more quickly. 

Now, submitting your idea through the Ideas site means an even better chance that it could be developed into a funded project.   

Like other states, Iowa has traditionally taxed fuel purchases at the pump to help finance the necessary maintenance and construction work on the state’s roads and bridges. But as people drive less and vehicles become more fuel-efficient, Iowa needs to find other sources of funding to keep pace with rising costs.  

To review the solutions used by other states and determine the most equitable course of action, Iowa DOT launched a research project that evaluated a number of potential revenue sources and the financial, administrative, and political viability of each. 

The results offer promising ideas for generating revenue through alternative means as well as practical strategies for adopting them. The information will help the agency engage with stakeholders and elected officials and choose the best methods to ensure Iowa’s roads and bridges are properly funded for years to come. 

Learn more about this project in Iowa DOT’s new research brief.

Two ground-breaking projects championed by Iowa DOT were recently selected for awards from the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

Research on the Remote Controlled Hydrographic Survey System (pictured) was completed in fall of 2019.

For this project, researchers equipped a remote-controlled boat with data collection equipment to allow engineers to quickly and safely survey Iowa bridges.  

In the past, divers might have to inspect underwater bridge elements, or field staff would have to squeeze into hard-to-reach places or wade into fast-moving water.

But the comparatively small boat, which cost about $50,000 to develop, has GPS, a compass, and sonar, and can enter tight spaces with ease—meaning engineers will have more data without ever having to get into the water.

The project earned Iowa DOT an AASHTO 2020 Sweet Sixteen award, an honor selected by Midwestern state DOT research directors who deemed this project to be of exceptionally high value. 

In addition, an AASHTO 2020 Supplemental Award for Maintenance went to Iowa DOT for its Snowplow Optimization project, which increased snowplow route efficiency, saving both time and material costs.  

Iowa DOT was honored with both awards at the RAC annual summer meeting in July 2020.

Recognizing that every transportation research project has the potential to strengthen Iowa's infrastructure and save lives, time, and resources, the Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) has announced a limited-time campaign to solicit innovative Ideas and technologies that explore longer-range advances in any aspect of highway transportation. 

Ideas must be "high-risk, high-reward" in nature or basic research that can be further developed to provide new fundamental and substantive advances in highway transportation. 

Examples of previous IHRB-funded projects that started as Innovative Project awards include Corn Based Deicers, Bio-based Polymers for Use in Asphalt, and Self-Cleaning Box Culverts. 

A limited number of proposals from this campaign will be invited to present at the IHRB meeting on December 14 for consideration. Each idea is eligible to receive a maximum award of $60,000. 

For more information, visit the Campaign Site and submit your idea by noon on November 1.

2022 was a banner year for the Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB)! 

The IHRB aims to help Iowans at the local level by bringing together stakeholders from public transportation agencies, academia, and the private sector to identify and support high-value transportation projects.  

With funds contributed by the Iowa DOT and Iowa’s cities and counties, the IHRB managed more than a hundred transportation research initiatives in various stages of development in 2022. These projects seek to save taxpayer dollars by improving roads, increase mobility by predicting where future floods will affect the state’s highways, and enhance sustainability by exploring carbon-reducing alternative materials and methods.  

Learn more about the IHRB and its accomplishments last year.

Since our summer research cycle opened on July 1, Iowa DOT has received submissions addressing a range of transportation issues, from advanced imaging technologies that could make roadways safer (pictured) to strategies for engaging the next generation of transportation professionals.   
 
You can read more about all of the recently submitted ideas on Iowa DOT’s Research Ideas website.   
 
Help these ideas achieve their full potential by sharing your feedback. Your input can make the submissions better and improve their chances of being selected for further development.  
 
Share your insight or submit your own idea for consideration in the summer cycle by October 31, 2021. 

From the time of construction, concrete bridge decks are exposed to a wide range of mechanical and environmental stressors. Adding fibers and modifying the concrete mixes used for bridge decks can transform their strength and durability, while minimizing the need for maintenance and repair over time.  

To enhance the performance and longevity of bridge decks, researchers investigated the use of fibers and other additives to improve the conventional concrete mixes and mitigate cracking issues. This project involved testing a number of concrete mixes, varying the types and amounts of fibers and other ingredients to identify the combinations that produce a stronger, more durable, and yet workable concrete.  

Bridge engineers across the state can use the newly developed fiber-reinforced concrete mixes as a cost-effective solution to minimize bridge repair and reconstruction needs and give Iowa’s drivers a better travel experience with fewer disruptions.  

Learn more about this project in Iowa DOT’s new research brief. 

Culverts serve an important role in keeping water off a roadway and are often buried under or alongside a road. 

A variety of considerations go into designing the right culvert for its location and role in the broader transportation system.  

In Iowa, culverts are typically buried 5 to 10 feet under roadways. Some road projects, however, require burying culverts 20 to 35 feet beneath the surface to divert water. 

As soil characteristics and properties vary significantly across the state, the amount of weight of that a culvert must be able to support also varies. 

To better understand the complexities in determining earth pressure on a culvert, the Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) conducted a research project to monitor two newly constructed culverts over several seasons. 

The results will help engineers across the state continue to design culverts that perform well for years to come.   

Learn more about this project in Iowa DOT’s new research brief, and check out other Iowa DOT research efforts on the News & Publications page.

Every Iowa DOT research project relies on a team of individuals to represent different perspectives and priorities during every stage of development. 

While every team is different, there are four key roles on every project’s team that help take the research from idea to final completion. These are: 

The Project Champion who assembles the stakeholders and subject matter experts, and who will provide valuable input as the project’s scope and goals are developed. 

Members of the Project Development Group who determine the purpose and objectives of the project at the outset, and who evaluate the project’s final results to ensure success. 

The Technical Advisory Committee which consists of experts and representatives from the federal and municipal governments to lend support and assistance as needed. 

The Research Liaison who provides administrative and oversight support throughout the project. 

When your expertise is needed, we hope you’ll jump at the chance to contribute to transportation research in our state.

We all know seat belts save lives, but have you ever considered that they can save money as well? 

Costs for hospital stays and physical rehabilitation after a crash can quickly add up. 

Ahead of Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Belt Day, which will be held this year from September 15-21 and on November 14 respectively, a new Iowa DOT Research project aims to provide more insight into the financial benefits of wearing a seat belt.  

By reviewing and analyzing the vehicle crashes that occurred in Iowa between 2012 and 2016, researchers will consider a variety of crash characteristics, including the extent of the occupants’ injuries and whether seat belts were used.  

With a greater understanding of the safety – and financial – benefits seat belts provide, experts hope to be able to convince drivers and passengers to make sure their seatbelts are fastened every time they drive or ride in a vehicle.  

Learn more about this and other projects Iowa DOT Research is funding on the Ideas site. 

Iowa’s aggregate roads are designed to keep rural communities connected and support the state’s farming economy. But freezing and thawing temperatures and use by heavy equipment can quickly damage the roads, requiring costly repair and maintenance every year.  

To make these roads more durable and longer-lasting, the Iowa Highway Research Board initiated a research project to test 13 different construction and maintenance techniques under real-world conditions for two years. The results give engineers in Iowa’s 99 counties greater flexibility when it comes to building these important roads and keeping them in good working condition.    

Learn more about this project in Iowa DOT’s new research brief, and check out other Iowa DOT research efforts on the News & Publications page. 

Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) is currently soliciting ideas for innovations and technologies eligible for STIC Incentive Funds. Projects eligible for STIC funding under this current solicitation include, but are not limited to, projects that advance the implementation of Every Day Counts (EDC) Innovations. For information on ideas eligible for STIC funds and a link to the current EDC Innovations eligible for funding, please visit https://ideas.iowadot.gov/subdomain/stic-incentive-funds/end/ideas?qmzn=...

STIC Incentive Funds are available up to $125,000 per federal fiscal year for awards. 

The Iowa Highway Research Board will rank STIC ideas in April. Selected ideas will be submitted to FHWA for funding consideration. The STIC will work with DOT offices and Local Public Agencies to fully develop the selected project into an application to be submitted to FHWA for funding.

For additional information, please visit FHWA's STIC Incentive Program Guidelines.

For additional information on Every Day Counts 6, please visit FHWA's EDC-6 Website.

Do you have the next big idea in transportation research? Share it now to be considered during Iowa DOT’s summer research cycle, which opened on July 1. 
 
Submitting an idea at the start of the new research cycle means it will have the most time in the discussion and evaluation phase and will be more likely to be selected for further development.    
 
You can help advance transportation research even if you don’t have a submission of your own. Vote or add your comments to help others improve their ideas. Feedback for the summer cycle will remain open until November 25, 2022.    
 
See how the process works throughout the year with our annual research calendar, and check out our Ideas site to learn more and get involved!