TERRA Projects
Initiated Research | Related Research | Potential Project Ideas
TERRA’s research program is built on the principle of collaboration to meet research needs. Research projects and initiatives administered by TERRA include collaborations between industry partners and academic researchers, and a series of pooled-fund projects initiated through the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Pooled Fund program.
Projects and Initiatives are divided into two categories:
- TERRA-Initiated research activities are planned and initiated through the the TERRA Board's committee selection process.
- TERRA-Related research activities are carried out by member and partner organizations and are related to TERRA's Strategic Goals, but are not selected by the TERRA Board.
In addition, TERRA has initiated an annual process for collecting potential project ideas from partners and friends.
Potential Project Ideas
TERRA collects project ideas to facilitate opportunities for research collaboration among those with similar interests, needs, and resources as part of a comprehensive program for addressing pavement, materials, and related transportation engineering challenges. Project ideas are not limited to pavement projects—ideas may include other projects related to road research.
Once introduced, project ideas are honed through a communication process to prioritize objectives according to the needs of each partner involved. Projects typically have evolved from the original idea submitted as the result of discussions and further collaborations. Previous project ideas have led to the initiation of pooled-fund projects as well as public/private partnerships.
Though TERRA members, as a benefit of membership, may propose project ideas anytime, an annual solicitation provides an opportunity for TERRA partners and friends also to introduce their ideas into the process. The annual idea review process is one mechanism for TERRA to build sufficiently funded project partnerships through the combined resources of the participants. In addition to facilitating project funding, the main TERRA goal is to move ahead projects that advance innovations in road engineering and construction.
Please use the form below to share a project idea with the TERRA Board. The deadline for submitting project ideas for consideration during FY2009 is May 16, 2008. For more information or assistance with submissions, please contact Stephanie Malinoff at 612-624-8398 or malinoff@cts.umn.edu.