External Partnerships

MDOT logo of Michigan with a road feature

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for Michigan’s nearly 10,000-mile state highway system, comprised of all M, I, and US-routes. It is the backbone of Michigan’s 120,000-mile highway, road and street network.


MnDOT Local Road Research Board logo

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)

Local Road Research Board (LRRB)

Established in 1959 through state legislation, the Local Road Research Board (LRRB) has sponsored more than 200 individual research projects over the last 15 years. Current LRRB-funded research falls primarily into the following categories: design, construction, maintenance/operations, environmental compatibility, administration and implementation.


National Road Research Alliance with member states marked on a US map.

National Road Research Alliance (NRRA)

The National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) is a Pooled Fund with the goal to improve the future sustainability of our roads through research and a commitment to cooperative implementation. The alliance sponsors research at the MnROAD test track, one of the most sophisticated cold-weather pavement facilities in existence, as well as other locations.


NURail center for excellence.

National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE)

The National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE) is a nine-university consortium led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and is the first academic research and education center to be supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration


“The $15 million center will advance research solutions to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail. The NURail Center is a nine-university consortium led by RailTEC at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The center includes The University of Illinois Chicago, University of Delaware, Kansas State University, Michigan Technological University, Morgan State University, Rutgers University, University of Texas at Austin, and Tuskegee University.”Trains