This solicitation is for the continuation of the National Road Research Alliance for another 5 years and to continue to support Veda development to increase efficiency and effectiveness of both efforts. 

The NRRA exists to strategically implement cooperative pavement research. State agencies, industry, academia, consultants and associations work together to identify problems, complete research projects and implement results. Our goal is to help agencies nationwide achieve consistent benefits from real world road research. It also seeks to provide members a forum to discuss issues and an outdoor, real-world laboratory (MnROAD) for evaluating cutting-edge pavement technologies.  The NRRA consists of five project teams: Flexible, Rigid, Geotechnical, Intelligent Construction Technologies, and Preventive Maintenance and is governed by an Executive Committee made up of two representatives from each government agency participating in the study.   Each team activities include prioritization of short and long-term research, development of long-term research test sections at MnROAD and providing input for technology transfer.  NRRA is made of the following team structure with representatives from each state along with associate members from associations, academia, industry, and consultants:

NRRA Executive Committee (Chair – Ben Worel/Minnesota DOT)

The executive committee governs the pooled fund and oversees all the NRRA team’s efforts and direction. This structure, designed to foster innovation and develop implementable products for road owners, ensures high quality, relevant products based on the latest technology.  See the NRRA Executive Committee webpage for details – https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/nrra/structure-teams/executive-committee/index.html 

Intelligent Construction Technologies (ICT) Team (Chair – Kyle Hough/Minnesota DOT)

The Intelligent Construction Technologies (ICT) team is comprised of technical experts in ICT technologies. ICT includes innovative technologies for planning, design, construction, real-time quality control / monitoring, and management for the life-cycle of infrastructure construction.  Completed projects are shown on the NRRA team page – https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/nrra/structure-teams/intelligent-construction/index.html

Flexible Team (Chair – Curt Dunn/North Dakota DOT)

The flexible team is comprised of technical experts in the area of new and rehabilitation of asphalt roadways.  Completed projects are shown on the NRRA team page – https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/nrra/structure-teams/flexible/index.html

Rigid Team (Chair – Tom Burnham/Minnesota DOT)

The rigid team is comprised of technical experts in the areas of new and rehabilitation of concrete roadways. Activities include prioritization of short- and long-term research, development of long-term research test sections at MnROAD, and providing input for technology transfer.  Completed projects are shown on the NRRA team page – https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/nrra/structure-teams/rigid/index.html 

Geotechnical Team (Chair – Raul Velasquez/Minnesota DOT)

The geotechnical team is comprised of technical experts in the area of unbound materials found under pavement surfaces.  Completed projects are shown on the NRRA team page – https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/nrra/structure-teams/geotechnical/index.html 

Preventive Maintenance Team (Chair – Tyler Hunt/Michigan DOT)

The preventive maintenance team is comprised of technical experts in the area maintenance of concrete and asphalt roadways.  Completed projects are shown on the NRRA team page – https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/nrra/structure-teams/preventive-maintenance/index.html 

Primary objectives of the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA Phase-3) are:

• Implementation and technology transfer of NRRA Phase-I research efforts and other common interests.
• Continue to fund and support research and implementation efforts of common interest.
• Continue the communication with both its government agencies along with its associate members (industry, associations, consultants, academia);
• Continued utilization of MNROAD to conduct structured const1 and 2 construction, field testing and evaluation of pavement materials, equipment and methods under real-world conditions.
• Establish industry standards and develop performance measure for improving pavement performance.
• Develop and/or revise specifications and recommendations.
• Studying and promoting innovative techniques and technologies that will save agencies money, improve safety and increase efficiency.
• Supporting technology transfer by developing practical field guides, best practices, and training curriculum to promote the results of research projects.
• Conduct cost-benefit analysis to ensure that new technologies, materials or methods contribute to operational efficiencies.
• Support the exchange of information and ideas through collaborative research efforts that provide opportunities for public agencies to share experiences.
• Identify and prioritize common road related research needs to address regional and national issues that are built on existing efforts such as FHWA’s PCC and HMA Roadmaps as well as the Foundation for Pavement Preservation Roadmap.
• Fund high priority, readily implementable research projects though research contracts and university partnerships.
• Leverage knowledge, skills, and resources from participating partners to advances pavement research and implementation efforts while developing the workforce of the future.
• Support technology transfer that highlights the implementation of research results and the associated benefits.

The scope of work for this pooled fund project is:

• Members provide the prioritized research needs, project development and design by way of the research project teams.
• Members provide funding for high priority, readily implementable research projects.
• Members receive timely results on NRRA research projects through communication products that emphasize lessons learned and implementation.
• Assistance in putting research results into practice through technology transfer events.
• NRRA members support committees that meet periodically throughout the year to determine priorities, develop strategies to address the priorities, and execute action plans.

NRRA members help shape research and MnROAD research program by guiding the selection of research projects, disseminating research results, and helping agencies implement results. NRRA will be also incorporating the Veta pooled fund as shown in the three memberships available:

Government Agency (Full Membership) 

Members have a seat of the executive committee and all research teams. The executive committee executes decision-making about MnROAD construction and research objectives, determine budgets and timelines, and select and participate in project teams. Membership includes travel funding for NRRA meetings and conferences at 4 trips/year per agency with basic membership in NRRA.

·         Agencies with SPR larger than MN ($150k/yr)

·         Agencies with SPR smaller than MN ($75k/yr)

Full Members also have the opportunity to provide extra funding above the basic membership (75K/150K)

• (new) Additional NRRA Travel Option ($10K/yr – (4 additional trips per year @ $2,500/trip for every 10K added)
• (new) Additional NRRA implementation ($30K/yr) – Executive team will determine the use of this funding to promote implementation among the members.   Could include contracted written summaries/implementation plans from current completed NRRA projects to providing funding for specific state to state implementation of new technology.   Examples might be equipment/staff visits to assist in implantation of research in other states.
• NRRA will also be open to accept additional funding for other above and beyond opportunities from any of the other teams.   Examples from phase-2 included Missouri funding the additive study in Missouri and FHWA funding ICT and Rigid Carbon Cure studies.  NRRA members also could contribute extra funds for construction on the Mainline or LVR based on member's interest.

Requesting Funding - Future NRRA#3 (this solicitation) – FY26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (5 years)

Government Agency (ICT Team Only Membership) (30K/yr)

Members have a seat on the ICT technical team and the funding provided will be directed to that effort. Agencies don’t have to be full members to be a part of this NRRA option.  Agencies who participate in this option do not have members on the executive committee.

Requesting Funding - Future NRRA#3 (this solicitation) – FY26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (5 years)

Associate Membership ($2k/yr)

Provide expertise throughout the research process by giving input on long-term technology trends, identifying innovative solutions to research problems, and determining the viability of research results by actively participating in projects. Members also have an opportunity to provide materials for testing and to propose design approaches based on field experience. Academia benefits include research and data analysis opportunities to support faculty sabbaticals and student projects.

Please visit the project page at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnroad/partners/index.html  for additional information.