Welcome to TERRA
Partnering for Roadway Innovation

The Transportation Engineering and Road Research Alliance is a research governance structure formed in 2004 to foster a comprehensive road research program. TERRA brings together government, industry, and academia in a dynamic partnership to advance innovations in road engineering and construction. TERRA's partnering efforts reach beyond Minnesota to include transportation organizations in other states and in Europe.

TERRA’s mission is to develop, sustain, and communicate a comprehensive program of research on pavement, materials, and related transportation engineering challenges, including issues related to cold climates.

One of TERRA's main focus areas is to expand the utilization of the MnROAD test facility—a comprehensive outdoor pavement research facility, distinguished by its network of electronic sensors embedded in six miles of test pavements. MnROAD features two distinct sections: the mainline section consists of 3.5 miles of working interstate freeway carrying more than 26,000 vehicles every day; the low-volume roadway is a 2.5-mile closed loop where controlled weight and traffic volumes simulate rural road conditions.

In addition to MnROAD, TERRA works with researchers and facilities at the University of Minnesota and across the world.