Green Initiatives at MnROAD

The transportation network and its supporting infrastructure have significant economic, social, and environmental impacts. Using more sustainable methods to design, construct, and preserve our roads will better protect the environment and meet our ongoing transportation needs. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and our partners in government, industry, and academia have been researching and implementing ways to make our roads greener while maintaining and improving roadway quality. The Minnesota Road Research Facility (MnROAD), an accelerated pavement test facility near St. Paul, MN, is conducting research on several "green" pavement technologies that reduce environmental impacts, reuse roadway materials, or use recycled materials in pavement applications. Green pavement technology should maintain or improve the state of the practice of pavement engineering. This ensures the green product will be market-driven, cost-effective, and sustainable.