University of Minnesota
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Low-Volume & Gravel Roads

Select Publications

Here's a list of select resources compiled by Minnesota LTAP.

Gravel Road Management Tool
Local Road Research Board (LRRB), 2019
The Minnesota LRRB developed a spreadsheet tool to help local agencies manage their gravel road systems, such as tracking maintenance data, construction data, and costs. A User Guide (PDF) provides supplemental guidance.

Optimal RAP Content for Minnesota Gravel Roads
MnDOT/LRRB, 2019
This report concluded that the optimal RAP content for unpaved road surfaces changes according to the properties of the materials used, testing methods, and site conditions.

Investigating the Necessity and Prioritizing Pavement Markings on Low-Volume Roads
MnDOT, 2018
This project developed a prioritization approach and spreadsheet tool to assist local agencies in better understanding the value, cost, and need for markings along their roadways to make the best use of available budgets.

Converting Paved Roads to Unpaved
TRB, 2016
This report, NCHRP Synthesis 485, explores how common and under what conditions paved roads are converted to unpaved.

Gravel Roads Construction and Maintenance Guide (17 MB PDF)
FHWA and South Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program, August 2015
A comprehensive manual that addresses most issues that deal with gravel road maintenance. It is designed for local agency officials, managers, and grader operators who are responsible for designing and maintaining gravel surfaced roads.

Gravel Road Management Tools (417 KB PDF)
MnDOT, June 2014
The Local Road Research Board (LRRB) conducted this study to understand the gravel road management needs of Minnesota local agencies.The report includes a summary of local and national survey findings, a matrix of existing gravel road management tools used in the U.S., and appendices with detailed survey results and interview summaries with software vendors.

Toolbox of Countermeasures for Rural Two-Lane Curves, Final Report (3.7 MB PDF)
Iowa State University, Center for Transportation Research and Education, June 2012
This toolbox is intended to help agencies address crashes at rural curves and to summarize the effectiveness of various known curve countermeasures. For each countermeasure covered, this toolbox includes a description, application, effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages.

To Pave or Not to Pave - Technical Brochure (603 KB PDF)
Minnesota LTAP, 2006
A comprehensive product that includes a technical brochure, research reports, and PowerPoint presentations to help local agencies make policy decisions for maintaining and upgrading gravel roads.

Economics of Upgrading an Aggregate Road (PDF)
Minnesota Local Road Research Board, 2005
This report describes a research project that provides Minnesota counties, and townships with information and procedures to make informed decisions on when it may be advantageous to upgrade and pave gravel roads. It also provides resources to assist in explaining to the public why certain maintenance or construction techniques and policy decisions are made.

Local Road Surfacing Criteria
South Dakota Department of Transportation, SD 2002-10, 2004

Gravel Roads Maintenance and Design Manual
Developed by the South Dakota LTAP Center
A comprehensive manual that addresses most issues that deal with gravel road maintenance. Includes a section on when to pave a gravel road.

Best Practices for the Design and Construction of Low Volume Roads, REVISED
Mn/DOT 2002-17REV, 2003
Provides information on methods for design and construction of hot-mix asphalt pavements in Minnesota.

Videos

Select Websites

Image of low-volume road

These select websites, compiled by Minnesota LTAP, can help you find more information on this topic.

These pre-constructed searches can help you find current resources on this topic.

More Information

The Minnesota LTAP Librarian can help you find and obtain LTAP and CTS publications and research, as well as transportation-related materials from other libraries and databases.

Please call 612-624-3646 or e-mail ctslib@umn.edu.