Skip to main content

Current and Completed Research Projects

This is a listing of research projects that are currently underway or projects that have been completed and listed by year of completion.
Skip table of contents

Table of Contents

You skipped the table of contents section.

Current Research Projects

Open PDF file, 909.01 KB,  Fare Payment Compliance on MBTA Buses and Light Rail (English, PDF 909.01 KB)
Open PDF file, 147.49 KB,  Effect of Asphalt Binder Source on Asphalt Mixture Performance (English, PDF 147.49 KB)
Open PDF file, 175.79 KB,  A Pavement Marking Inventory and Retroreflectivity Condition Assessment Method Using Mobile LiDAR – Phase 2 (English, PDF 175.79 KB)
Open PDF file, 920.15 KB,  Accessible Bus Stop Design in the Presense of Bike Lanes (English, PDF 920.15 KB)
Open PDF file, 925.31 KB,  Cross-Modal Impact Assessment for Sustainable Transportation Networks (English, PDF 925.31 KB)
Open PDF file, 81.95 KB,  LIMMS Development Planning (English, PDF 81.95 KB)
Open PDF file, 147.28 KB,  Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic --Empirical Pavement Design Guide (Phase III) (English, PDF 147.28 KB)
Open PDF file, 557.76 KB,  Methods to Identify Problematic Carriers and Prevent Infrastructure Damage (English, PDF 557.76 KB)
Open PDF file, 143.06 KB,  Field Study to Determine Salt Usage Efficiency and Transport to the Surrounding Environment on Two Pavement Types (English, PDF 143.06 KB)
Open PDF file, 761.79 KB,  Effectiveness of Two-stage Turn Queue Boxes in Massachusetts: A Comparison with Bike Boxes (English, PDF 761.79 KB)
Open PDF file, 297.86 KB,  Post-Fire Damage Inspection of Concrete Structures Phase III – In-Situ Experimental Phase Research Need (English, PDF 297.86 KB)
Open PDF file, 140.78 KB,  Development of a Salt Spreader Controller Program Using Machine-Sensed Roadway Weather Parameters (English, PDF 140.78 KB)
Open PDF file, 115.33 KB,  Smart Work Zone Control and Performance Evaluation Based on Trajectory Data (English, PDF 115.33 KB)
Open PDF file, 128.09 KB,  Development of Improved Inspection Techniques using LiDAR for Deteriorated Steel Beam Ends (English, PDF 128.09 KB)
Open PDF file, 124.28 KB,  Tree Preservation and Planting for Complete Streets Development (English, PDF 124.28 KB)
Open PDF file, 140.95 KB,  Feasibility of 3D Printing Applications for Highway Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance - Phase II Research Need (English, PDF 140.95 KB)
Open PDF file, 406.89 KB,  Inspection Procedures for Deteriorated Bridge Beams (English, PDF 406.89 KB)
Open PDF file, 249.69 KB,  Robust Decision-Making Framework for Sustainable Operations and Planning of MBTA Rapid Transit Vehicles (English, PDF 249.69 KB)
Open PDF file, 101.61 KB,  Development of a Visualization, Sharing, and Processing Platform for Large-Scale Highway Point Cloud Data (English, PDF 101.61 KB)
Open PDF file, 205.14 KB,  Evaluating the Effectiveness of Drivers' Education Modules on Safety (English, PDF 205.14 KB)
Open PDF file, 137.65 KB,  3D-Printed Lattice-Based Structures for Next Generation Bridge Bearings and Bridge Isolation Bearings (Phase III) (English, PDF 137.65 KB)
Open PDF file, 129.96 KB,  Measuring Food Access to Improve Public Health Phase II (English, PDF 129.96 KB)
Open PDF file, 913.45 KB,  Data-Driven Approaches for Transit Capital Planning (English, PDF 913.45 KB)
Open PDF file, 95.75 KB,  Speed Management and Emergency Response – A Synthesis Study (English, PDF 95.75 KB)

2024 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 705.84 KB,  Using Traffic Signals to Reduce Speeding and Speeding Opportunities on Arterial Roads - Research Summary (English, PDF 705.84 KB)
Open PDF file, 5.79 MB,  Using Traffic Signals to Reduce Speeding and Speeding Opportunities on Arterial Roads - Final Report (English, PDF 5.79 MB)

2023 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 1.78 MB,  High Performance Asphalt Overlay (HPOL) Mixtures (English, PDF 1.78 MB)
Open PDF file, 197.41 KB,  Developing Massachusetts-Specific Trip Generation Models for Land Use Projects - Research Summary (English, PDF 197.41 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.48 MB,  Developing Massachusetts-Specific Trip Generation Models for Land Use Projects - Final Report (English, PDF 3.48 MB)
Open PDF file, 221.9 KB,  Outdoor Information Panels to Convey Real-Time Travel Information for Ridership Recovery (English, PDF 221.9 KB)
Open PDF file, 698.61 KB,  Uncovering the Root Causes to Truck Rollover Crashes on Ramps - Research Summary (English, PDF 698.61 KB)
Open PDF file, 9 MB,  Massachusetts Depth to Bedrock- Final Report (English, PDF 9 MB)
Open PDF file, 8.67 MB,  Measuring Food Access to Improve Public Health (English, PDF 8.67 MB)
Open PDF file, 9.04 MB,  Post-Fire Damage Inspection of Concrete Structures Phase II - Final Report (English, PDF 9.04 MB)
Open PDF file, 5.24 MB,  Construction and Materials Best Practices for Concrete Sidewalks: Phase II – Long-Term Performance and Hot-Weather Placement Effects - Final Report (English, PDF 5.24 MB)
Open PDF file, 366.49 KB,  Construction and Materials Best Practices for Concrete Sidewalks: Phase II – Long-Term Performance and Hot-Weather Placement Effects (English, PDF 366.49 KB)
Open PDF file, 210.17 KB,  Evaluating the Safety Impacts of Flashing Yellow Permissive Left-Turn Indications in Massachusetts: Approach Level Analysis (English, PDF 210.17 KB)
Open PDF file, 2.7 MB,  Evaluating the Safety Impacts of Flashing Yellow Permissive Left-Turn Indications in Massachusetts: Approach-Level Analysis - Final Report (English, PDF 2.7 MB)
Open PDF file, 621.24 KB,  Using Mycofiltration Treatment for Stormwater Management - Research Summary (English, PDF 621.24 KB)
Open PDF file, 16.5 MB,  Uncovering the Root Causes to Truck Rollover Crashes on Ramps - Final Report (English, PDF 16.5 MB)
Open PDF file, 9.19 MB,  Multisource Data Fusion for Real-Time and Accurate Traffic Incident Detection via Predictive Analytics - Final Report (English, PDF 9.19 MB)
Open PDF file, 972.36 KB,  Multisource Data Fusion for Real-Time and Accurate Traffic Incident Detection via Predictive Analytics - Research Summary (English, PDF 972.36 KB)
Open PDF file, 559.37 KB,  Post-Fire Damage Inspection of Concrete Structures Phase II - Experimental Phase - Research Summary (English, PDF 559.37 KB)
Open PDF file, 939.3 KB,  Massachusetts Depth to Bedrock Project (English, PDF 939.3 KB)
Open PDF file, 500.96 KB,  Measuring Food Access to Improve Public Health (English, PDF 500.96 KB)
Open PDF file, 2.24 MB,  BIM for Transit Infrastructure: A Feasibility and Gap Assessment with Current Practices and Systems at the MBTA (English, PDF 2.24 MB)
Open PDF file, 9.51 MB,  Using Mycofiltration Treatment for Stormwater Management - Final Report (English, PDF 9.51 MB)
Open PDF file, 489.59 KB,  Optimizing of MassDOT’s High Performance Asphalt Overlay (HPOL) Mixtures - Research Summary (English, PDF 489.59 KB)
Open PDF file, 19.31 MB,  Revised Load Rating Procedures for Deteriorated Prestressed Concrete Beams - Final Report (English, PDF 19.31 MB)
Open PDF file, 313.42 KB,  Revised Load Rating Procedures for Deteriorated Prestressed Concrete Beams - Research Summary (English, PDF 313.42 KB)
Open PDF file, 11.95 MB,  Ultra-High Performance Concrete Reinforced with Multi-Scale Hybrid Fibers and Its Durability-Related Properties - Final Report (English, PDF 11.95 MB)
Open PDF file, 342.05 KB,  Ultra-High Performance Concrete Reinforced with Multi-Scale Hybrid Fibers and Its Durability-Related Properties - Research Summary (English, PDF 342.05 KB)
Open PDF file, 2.82 MB,  Artificial Intelligence Framework for Crosswalk Detection Across Massachusetts - Final Report (English, PDF 2.82 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.01 MB,  Artificial Intelligence Framework for Crosswalk Detection Across Massachusetts - Research Summary (English, PDF 1.01 MB)

2022 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 248.95 KB,  Understanding Asset Management Systems Utilized by Municipalities in Massachusetts – Research Summary (English, PDF 248.95 KB)
Open PDF file, 11.34 MB,  Improving the Long-Term Condition of Pavements in Massachusetts and Determining Return on Investment: Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide—PHASE II (English, PDF 11.34 MB)
Open PDF file, 819.41 KB,  Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (Phase II) - Research Summary (English, PDF 819.41 KB)
Open PDF file, 4.86 MB,  Understanding Asset Management Systems Utilized by Municipalities in Massachusetts - Final Report (English, PDF 4.86 MB)
Open PDF file, 6.01 MB,  Development of Comprehensive Inspection Protocols for Deteriorated Steel Beam Ends - Final Report (English, PDF 6.01 MB)
Open PDF file, 98.99 KB,  Development of Comprehensive Inspection Protocols for Deteriorated Steel Beam Ends - Research Summary (English, PDF 98.99 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.38 MB,  Use of UAS For Surface Transportation Emergency Response - Final Report (English, PDF 3.38 MB)
Open PDF file, 476.72 KB,  Use of UAS For Surface Transportation Emergency Response - Research Summary (English, PDF 476.72 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.96 MB,  Impact of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on Road Safety and Implications for Education, Licensing, Registration, and Enforcement - Final Report (English, PDF 3.96 MB)
Open PDF file, 310.62 KB,  Impact of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on Road Safety and Implications for Education, Licensing, Registration, and Enforcement - Project Summary (English, PDF 310.62 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.79 MB,  A Pavement Marking Inventory and Retroreflectivity Condition Assessment Method Using Mobile LiDAR - Final Report (English, PDF 3.79 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.05 MB,  A Pavement Marking Inventory and Retroreflectivity Condition Assessment Method Using Mobile LiDAR - Research Summary (English, PDF 1.05 MB)
Open PDF file, 428.94 KB,  Automated Guardrail Inventory and Condition Evaluation - Research Summary (English, PDF 428.94 KB)
Open PDF file, 4.45 MB,  Exploring Short-Sea Shipping as an Alternative to Non-Bulk Freight Trucking in Southeastern MA - Final Report (English, PDF 4.45 MB)
Open PDF file, 3.52 MB,  Automated Guardrail Inventory and Condition Evaluation - Final Report (English, PDF 3.52 MB)
Open PDF file, 352.87 KB,  Detecting Subsurface Voids in Roadways using UAS with Infrared Thermal Imaging - Research Summary (English, PDF 352.87 KB)
Open PDF file, 4.6 MB,  Detecting Subsurface Voids in Roadways using UAS with Infrared Thermal Imaging - Final Report (English, PDF 4.6 MB)
Open PDF file, 4.96 MB,  Feasibility of 3D Printing Applications for Highway Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance - Final Report (English, PDF 4.96 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.02 MB,  Feasibility of 3D Printing Applications for Highway Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance - Research Summary (English, PDF 1.02 MB)

2021 Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 1.45 MB,  Best Practices for Cost Recovery - Final Report (English, PDF 1.45 MB)
Open PDF file, 111.45 KB,  Best Practices for Cost Recovery - Research Summary (English, PDF 111.45 KB)
Open PDF file, 4.22 MB,  Tracking the Energy and Emissions of MBTA Rapid Transit Vehicles - Final Report (English, PDF 4.22 MB)
Open PDF file, 12.94 MB,  Improved Load Rating Procedures for Deteriorated Steel Beam Ends with Deteriorated Stiffener - Final Report (English, PDF 12.94 MB)
Open PDF file, 196.52 KB,  Improved Load Rating Procedures for Deteriorated Steel Beam Ends with Deteriorated Stiffeners - Research Summary (English, PDF 196.52 KB)
Open PDF file, 2.86 MB,  Improving Future of the Commonwealth's Curb- Final Report (English, PDF 2.86 MB)
Open PDF file, 9.77 MB,  PERCEPT Indoor Navigation System for Visually Impaired: Beta Study - Final Report (English, PDF 9.77 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.58 MB,  Flexible Transit Service - Final Report (English, PDF 2.58 MB)
Open PDF file, 232.1 KB,  Tracking the Energy and Emissions of MBTA Rapid Transit Vehicles (TREEM) - Research Summary (English, PDF 232.1 KB)
Open PDF file, 10.71 MB,  Effectiveness of Bike Boxes in Massachusetts - Final Report (English, PDF 10.71 MB)
Open PDF file, 566.18 KB,  Effectiveness of Bike Boxes in Massachusetts - Research Summary (English, PDF 566.18 KB)
Open PDF file, 345.99 KB,  Improving Future of the Commonwealth's Curb - Research Summary (English, PDF 345.99 KB)
Open PDF file, 246.54 KB,  Flexible Transit Services - Research Summary (English, PDF 246.54 KB)
Open PDF file, 4.7 MB,  Improving the Long-Term Condition of Pavements in Massachusetts and Determining Return on Investment: Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (PHASE 1) - Final Report (English, PDF 4.7 MB)
Open PDF file, 396.61 KB,  Improving the Long-Term Condition of Pavements in Massachusetts and Determining Return on Investment: Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (PHASE 1) - Research Summary (English, PDF 396.61 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.83 MB,  Translating Data Generated by the Transit App into Insights on Transportation Use in Greater Boston - Final Report (English, PDF 3.83 MB)
Open PDF file, 187.53 KB,  Translating Data Generated by the Transit App into Insights on Transportation Use in Greater Boston - Research Summary (English, PDF 187.53 KB)
Open PDF file, 6.12 MB,  Evaluating the Safety Impacts of Flashing Yellow Permissive Left-Turn Indications in Massachusetts - Final Report (English, PDF 6.12 MB)
Open PDF file, 192.91 KB,  Evaluating the Safety Impacts of Flashing Yellow Permissive Left-Turn Indications in Massachusetts - Research Summary (English, PDF 192.91 KB)
Open PDF file, 5.21 MB,  Construction and Materials Best Practice for Concrete Sidewalks - Final Report (English, PDF 5.21 MB)
Open PDF file, 539.62 KB,  Construction and Materials Best Practice for Concrete Sidewalks - Research Summary (English, PDF 539.62 KB)
Open PDF file, 14.62 MB,  Post-Fire Damage Inspection of Concrete Structures - Final Report (English, PDF 14.62 MB)
Open PDF file, 483.18 KB,  Post-Fire Damage Inspection of Concrete Structures - Research Summary (English, PDF 483.18 KB)

2020 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 241.31 KB,  Characterization of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement for HMA Surface Courses in Massachusetts - Summary (English, PDF 241.31 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.8 MB,  Characterization of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement for HMA Surface Courses in Massachusetts - Report (English, PDF 3.8 MB)
Open PDF file, 585.2 KB,  Compost Blankets for Erosion Control and Vegetation Establishment - Research Summary (English, PDF 585.2 KB)
Open PDF file, 12.73 MB,  Compost Blankets for Erosion Control and Vegetation Establishment - Final Report (English, PDF 12.73 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.68 MB,  Public Health Assessment for Transportation Projects (English, PDF 1.68 MB)

2019 - Completed Projects

The Application of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Surface Transportation Report 
Open PDF file, 26.6 MB,  Development of Load Rating Procedures for Deteriorated Steel Beam End (English, PDF 26.6 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.18 MB,  Improving Pedestrian Infrastructure Inventory in Massachusetts Using Mobile LiDAR (English, PDF 2.18 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.32 MB,  Optimizing ADA Paratransit Operations with Taxi and Ride Share Programs (English, PDF 2.32 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.72 MB,  Traffic Flow Improvements: Quantifying the Influential Regions and Long-Term Benefits (English, PDF 1.72 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.48 MB,  Evaluation and Enhancement of MassDOT Traveler Information Programs (English, PDF 1.48 MB)
Open PDF file, 3.8 MB,  Risk Factors for Older Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities in Massachusetts (English, PDF 3.8 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.06 MB,  Estimating Future Changes in 100-year Floods on the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers (English, PDF 2.06 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.81 MB,  Commuter Bus Demand, Incentives for Modal Shift, and Impact on GHG Emissions (Part II) (English, PDF 2.81 MB)

2018 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 2.85 MB,  Strategic Planning for Connected and Automated Vehicles in Massachusetts (English, PDF 2.85 MB)
Open PDF file, 8.54 MB,  The Role of Street Trees for Pedestrian Safety (English, PDF 8.54 MB)
Open PDF file, 3.62 MB,  Measuring Left-Behinds on Subway (English, PDF 3.62 MB)
Open PDF file, 3.6 MB,  Commuter Bus Demand, Incentives for Modal Shift, and Impact on GHG (English, PDF 3.6 MB)

2017 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 479.75 KB,  Electric Vehicle: Impacts on Transportation Infrastructure – A Review of Other States (English, PDF 479.75 KB)
Open PDF file, 1.51 MB,  Zero-Emission Transit Bus and Refueling Technologies and Deployment Status (English, PDF 1.51 MB)
Open PDF file, 7.11 MB,  Performance of Adhesive and Cementitious Anchoring Systems (English, PDF 7.11 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.78 MB,  Field Monitoring of Experimental Hot Mix Asphalt Projects Placed in Massachusetts (English, PDF 2.78 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.02 MB,  Developing a Metric for the Cost of Green House Gas Abatement (English, PDF 1.02 MB)

2016 - Completed Projects

Open PDF file, 334.78 KB,  The State of the Practice of UAS Systems in Transportation (English, PDF 334.78 KB)
Open PDF file, 864.57 KB,  Current Counter-Drone Technology Solutions to Shield Airports and Approach and Departure Corridors (English, PDF 864.57 KB)
Open PDF file, 3.51 MB,  Evaluation of Portable Road Weather Information Systems (English, PDF 3.51 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.4 MB,  Mitigation Techniques to Modify Driver Performance to Improve Fuel Economy, Reduce Emissions and Improve Safety (English, PDF 1.4 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.14 MB,  Determination of the Binder Grade and Performance of High Percentage RAP-HMA Mixes (English, PDF 2.14 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.34 MB,  Calibration of Safety Performance Functions for Massachusetts Urban and Suburban Intersections (English, PDF 2.34 MB)
Open PDF file, 3.07 MB,  Evaluating the Effect of Advance Yield Marking and Symbolic Signs on Vehicle-Pedestrian Conflicts at Marked Midblock Crosswalks across Multilane Roads (English, PDF 3.07 MB)
Open PDF file, 3.91 MB,  Automated Detection and Counting of Pedestrians and Bicyclists Along an Urban Roadway (English, PDF 3.91 MB)
Open PDF file, 4.56 MB,  Better Bridge Joint Technology (English, PDF 4.56 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.54 MB,  Evaluation of Specialized Hot Mix Asphalt Mixes for Massachusetts (English, PDF 1.54 MB)
Open PDF file, 7.73 MB,  Coping with the Aging Driving Population (English, PDF 7.73 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.22 MB,  Improved Highway Lane Reflectorized Markers (English, PDF 2.22 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.14 MB,  Tunnel and Fencing Options for Reducing Road Mortalities of Freshwater Turtles (English, PDF 1.14 MB)

Transportation pooled funds

Transportation Pooled Fund Program 

The Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Program allows federal, state, and local agencies and other organizations to combine resources to support transportation research studies. Click the link tolearn more about TPF and search for pooled fund studies MassDOT has led or participated in.

Compost Blankets for Erosion Control and Vegetation Establishment

Research Summary 
Final Report 

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback