** Full Solicitation is attached in the Documents - Shortened to fit the pooledfund website ** The need for the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) has grown over the last several years. It is based on a number of successful efforts the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has achieved utilizing the MnROAD research facility. These efforts include a number of local and national research studies, pool fund research projects, local-national-international partnerships, academic and industry involvement, Transportation Engineering and Road Research Alliance (TERRA) pooled fund, and MnROAD’s 2014 Peer exchange. Historically funding for MnROAD has been provided by MnDOT and Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) since it opened in 1994. Over the last nine years more partnerships and outside funding have been developed to assist with the construction, research and operations. The partnerships and outside funding helped cover 23% of the funding required and MnDOT and the LRRB funded the rest of the 77% of the $2.75 million/year budget. The outside funding was primarily provided by national pooled fund efforts mainly from other states, industry, and FHWA. Transportation Engineering and Road research Alliance (TERRA) was formed in 2004 by a task force of government, industry, and academic representatives. TERRA’s mission was to develop, sustain, and communicate a comprehensive research program pavement, materials, and related transportation engineering challenges, including issues related to cold climates. However, it has now apparent that for MnROAD to become truly a “national” cold-regions, full-scale, accelerated pavement testing facility a national collaborative effort is required. Supporters are looking for a mechanism that is flexible and allows the pooled fund members to collaborate with other regional/national efforts focusing on research that can be implemented by various agencies. That intensified the search for a well-funded, research-oriented, and implementation-driven partnership commensurate with MnROAD facility and current regional and national research needs. Partnerships with industry and academia have always been a critical part of MnROAD and will continue to be with the new NRRA pooled fund to help develop, conduct, and implement research. One example is the current partnership with the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT). That partnership currently uses the Alabama Department of Transportation as the lead state but future extensions will likely be a part of this proposed pooled fund effort. MnDOT views this pooled fund as an important step to fostering effective partnerships. Agencies previously involved with TERRA (Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota Local Road Research Board [MNLRRB]) support the Alabama-led pooled fund solicitation. In 2014 nine State and Provincial transportation agencies (included TERRA members), Minnesota LRRB, and FHWA attended a National Peer Exchange (final report - see attachments) in Minnesota. Attendees provided input and recommendations on how to best utilize MnROAD to achieve implementable research through new partnerships and future pooled funds. Those recommendations helped form the basis for this new NRRA pooled fund solicitation/posting. The three key recommendations that formed the basis of this solicitation. In June 2015, TERRA members agreed to discontinue TERRA and create a new pooled fund project called National Road Research Alliance (NRRA). The NRRA brings together governmental agencies, academia, and industry from around North America and possibly internationally to drive innovation in primarily the field of pavement research with a heavy focus on implementation. By evaluating designs, materials, equipment and processes collectively in real-world conditions, NRRA will be able to foster the most effective techniques and technologies to save agencies money, improve safety and increase efficiency.

Primary objectives of the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) are: • Conduct structured construction, field testing and evaluation using the MnROAD cold weather facility; • Evaluate 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; • Through the pooled fund members provide funding for high priority, readily implementable research projects; • Participate in the planning of the reconstruction of MnROAD test sections in 2017 based on the established research needs developed; MnDOT will provide $2.5 million of funding support to assist in the effort; • 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; • Membership in the Technology Transfer and Communication Teams; • NRRA members support committees that meet periodically throughout the year to determine priorities, develop strategies to address the priorities, and execute action plans; • Sponsor students to work on specific prioritized research needs through academic contracts/grants.

The NRRA organizational structure will comprise of a executive committees as well as participation from associate and academic members. This structure, designed to foster innovation and develop implementable products for road owners, ensures high quality, relevant products based on the latest technology. The initial posting is for three years. • The Executive Committee sets the research objectives, goals and project selection. It is made up of agencies who participate in the pooled fund at the $150K/year. • The Associate Members primary role is to be advisors and provide technical support vital to investments and implementation. This group provides $2,000/year. • The Academia Members provide both long-term vision and technical expertise. NRRA may fund student workers, sabbaticals, and full research projects.This group is made of members who provide $2,000/year. The following project teams will be established: • Research Project Team will be developed and chaired by an executive committee member. It will be comprised of NRRA members working to develop test sections based on the prioritized research needs. $2.5 million MnDOT construction funding will be available. • Technology Transfer Team will be developed and chaired by an executive committee member. It will be comprised of NRRA members to assist in the transfer of knowledge through webinars, training, implementation series, and the pavement conference. • Communication Team will be developed and chaired by an executive committee member. It will be comprised of NRRA members working to best communicate the NRRA activities taking place. Activities expected include newsletters, NRRA web site, and outreach activities.