ConnDOT Transportation Research Program Overview
It is the policy of the Connecticut Department of Transportation to conduct all research under the general supervision of the Division of Research. It is the purpose of the Division of Research to be aware of new developments, to bring pertinent improvements to the attention of the proper Departmental personnel, and to investigate specific problem areas and offer appropriate solutions. Research personnel also have operational roles in conducting federally-required data- and image-collection activities and statewide pavement-condition assessment with computer-image processing systems. In addition, Research personnel conduct internal pavement safety evaluations based on pavement friction testing. Together, engineers use these technologies to measure and describe the condition of the Connecticut transportation system, which supports fact-based decision making about infrastructure-improvement programs and projects. Research personnel enlist the aid of institutions of higher learning, research organizations, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), industry, and other State Agencies to seek solutions to major problems.
In transportation policy research, the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) has undertaken technology scans and feasibility studies on behalf of the Department. CASE is exploring a possible study of best practices, relevant to Connecticut, for evaluating elements of integrated transportation systems within the context of the Transportation Strategy Board’s stated objectives.
Currently, the Research staff are conducting and/or administering over twenty in-house research projects on a range of topics.
For over forty years, the University of Connecticut (UConn) has provided the Department with additional research capabilities to address Connecticut’s transportation research needs. Under Department sponsorship the UConn’s Transportation Institute is currently conducting approximately twelve (12) research projects through its Advanced Pavement Laboratory and the Connecticut Cooperative Transportation Research Program (CCTRP). Additionally, the Department and FHWA jointly sponsor the Technology Transfer Center to provide transportation training and technical assistance to Connecticut’s local governments.
A listing of all in-progress research of the combined in-house and CCTRP (UConn) research programs shows a broad range of topics under study.
The Department participates in and acts as the lead state for the New England Transportation Consortium (NETC), which addresses transportation research needs common to the New England State transportation agencies. Currently, NETC has twenty (20) active projects.
At the national level, the Department participates in the Transportation Research Board, National Cooperative Research Program (over 250 active projects), Transit Cooperative Research Program (over 90 active projects) and FHWA Pooled Fund Research Program (over 30 active projects) to address research needs of mutual concern to the States.
Through the above national, regional and state programs, Connecticut addresses transportation research needs in many subject areas, including: Planning and Administration; Energy and Environment; Transportation Law; Highway and Facility Design; Pavement Design; Management and Performance; Bridge and Other Structure Design and Inspection; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Soils, Geology and Foundations; Materials Testing, Specification and Construction; Maintenance; Highway Operations, Capacity and Traffic Control; Safety and Human Performance; Aviation; Public Transit; Freight and Passenger Rail; Intermodal, Truck, Rail, Water, Pipeline and Marine Transportation.
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