NS740: Are Current Rigid Pavement Roundabout Designs Working in Minnesota?
Problem
Rigid pavement roundabouts have become a big topic in Minnesota in the last several years, with the number of roundabouts being built ever increasing. Currently, there are many rigid pavement roundabouts around the state, but do we truly understand if the initial designs developed for constructing rigid pavement roundabouts are correct? Rigid pavement roundabout designs were initially designed with the expectation that they will similarly experience distress as that experienced by typical rigid pavements designed and built on motorways. However, distresses will occur differently due to the way traffic loads interact with them, the shape of panels, and drainage. Due to this there is a need to better understand through reviewing what works better.
Objective
Provide guidance documentation for both MnDOT and Local Agencies to improve roundabout designs for better long-term performance and reduced future costs in the maintenance and rehabilitation of these assets.
Expected outcomes
- New or improved technical standard, plan, or specification
- New or improved manual, handbook, guidelines, or training
Expected benefits
The numbers 1 and 2 indicate whether the source of the benefit measurement is from:
- A specific research task in your project that supports measuring this particular benefit, or
- Implementation of the research findings (anticipating positive results)
- Decrease Lifecycle Costs: (2)
- Implementation of this work is expected to contribute to the longevity of pavement systems by investigating the complex nature of geomaterial behavior and integrating it into the design process, thereby increasing sustainability and achieving longevity.
- Increase Lifecycle: (2)
- Measure rigid pavement system performance for various loads, RAB geometries, panel and pavement design, and reinforcement. Implementation of guidance from this work may inform the appropriate pavement system design for these popular intersections
- Operation and Maintenance Saving: (2)
- Through pavement system performance data, identify any design changes that could minimize maintenance. Implementation of guidance from this work may reduce maintenance costs for this often-used intersection design.
Technical advisory panel
- Rob Golish, OMRR
- Tom Burnham, OMRR
- Michael Wallace, OMRR
- District Engineers
- County/City Engineers
- Joseph Podolsky, OMRR