Research and Innovation Division
About Us / Contacts
UDOT’s Research and Innovation division mobilizes research studies and employee ingenuity to help drive continuous Department evolution.
Our Research team partners with UDOT experts, Utah universities, and consultants to identify transportation research that meets UDOT’s most important needs. They prioritize these needs in an annual workshop hosted by the division. They manage research projects, promote implementation, share research results, coordinate with national research organizations, field-evaluate products, and provide information services.
Our Innovation team gathers and supports employee ideas, and tracks them through a development process with the goal of implementing the best ideas across UDOT. They head an Innovation Council whose Stewards lead grassroots innovation efforts in their own regions and areas. They also compile the most successful ideas in our annual Innovation and Efficiencies Report which is shared with Utah legislators and the public.
Together with our partners, UDOT’s Research and Innovation division helps keep Utah moving.
RESEARCH EXPLAINER VIDEO
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TEAM
Research and Innovation Network Org Chart and Info Sheets
Cameron Kergaye, PhD, PMP, PE
Director of Research and Innovation
801.633.0359
[email protected]
David Stevens, PE
Research Program Manager
801.589.8340
[email protected]
Winston Inoway
Innovation and Implementation Manager
801.455.3911
[email protected]
Kevin Nichol, PE, MPA
Research Project Manager
801.870.4033
[email protected]
Benjamin Maughan, SE
Research Project Manager
801.800.5087
[email protected]
Quinten Klingonsmith
Innovation and Implementation Coordinator
801.386.0473
[email protected]
Joni DeMille
UDOT Librarian
385.630.0302
[email protected]
Our Mailing Address:
UDOT Research & Innovation Division
PO Box 148410
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-8410
Research & Innovation Calendar of Events & News
Research & Innovation Annual Calendar of Events
March 2025: NEW RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER
Ben Maughan is our new Research Project Manager. Check out the article below to learn more about our newest team member:
New Research Project Manager
January 2025: NEW RESEARCH PROGRAM MANAGER
David Stevens has been promoted to Research Program Manager. This is a new position in the Research & Innovation division. Click on the article linked below to learn more:
New Research Program Manager
August 2023: FINAL RESEARCH PRESENTATION
A recording of the presentation on Intelligent Queue Length Estimation on Ramps Using Computer Vision and Machine Learning , given on August 10 by our research partners from the University of Utah, is linked below. The final research report (UT-23.16) is posted in the Final Research Reports section of our web page under Traffic Management and Traffic Safety.
Intelligent Queue Length Presentation
October 2022: HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Check out R&I’s 2023 Innovation and Efficiencies report to see all the amazing improvements UDOT employees have implemented this year. This annual report is shared with UDOT, the Utah State Legislature, and the public. The great ideas you’ll read about just might spark one of your own!
2023 Innovation and Efficiencies Report
2023 Innovation and Efficiencies HIGHLIGHTS report
September 2022: NEW RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER
Brad Loveless is our new Research Project Manager. Brad started his career with UDOT in 2006 as a Rotational Engineer after graduating from the University of Utah. He spent 1½ years as a Roadway Design Engineer before transferring to the UDOT Willard Construction Crew where he served for over 9 years as a Field Engineer and 2½ years as a Resident Engineer. During his time in construction he has had the opportunity to work on project teams for a variety of projects including using digital delivery.
Outside of work, Brad enjoys spending time traveling with his wife and 3 sons, and is always looking for an opportunity for new experiences. Some of his favorite places that his wanderlust has taken him include the Redwoods, Lava Tubes National Monument, and the Florida Everglades.
His top five Clifton Strengths are Deliberative, Analytical, Discipline, Responsibility, and Harmony.
July 2022: NEW INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR
Quinten Klingonsmith is our new Innovation & Implementation Program Coordinator. He previously worked at the Utah Department of Workforce Services as an instructional designer. Quinten brings a wealth of skills to the Research & Innovation Division including project management, interviewing, writing, and video production. His top five Strengths are: Achiever, Connectedness, Learner, Analytical, Individualization. He earned a masters degree in Public Administration from BYU. Please join us in welcoming him to UDOT.
March 2022: NEW INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER
Winston Inoway has been selected as the Innovation and Implementation Program Manager. Winston was previously the I & I Program Coordinator and producer of the Innovation Station video series. He is excited to advance department opportunities including the annual Innovation & Efficiencies Report, STIC Incentive Grants, EDC-7 Innovations, and the UDOT Innovation of the Year Award. For more information about any of these opportunities or to become a member of the statewide Innovation Council, contact Winston at [email protected].
January 2022: NEW SPACE HERE FOR RESEARCH PERFORMED BY OTHER UDOT DIVISIONS
Following the Final Research Reports section below, a new space has been added for research done by other UDOT divisions. Project team members with UDOT’s Traffic and Safety division recently completed their work with NCHRP 22-33. Results and methods described in their final report may be of interest nationally. Take a look!
NCHRP Report 22-33 ISPE – Evaluation of Utah Longitudinal Barrier (September 2021)
October 2021: LITTER IN UTAH
Check out the new executive report prepared by UDOT’s Research & Innovation team that includes an overview of UDOT’s current state of practice for statewide litter mitigation, a national snapshot of mitigation investment, recommendations, and much more.
Highway Litter Mitigation
UDOT Digital Library (Employees Only)
INNOVATION PROGRAM
UDOT’s Innovation Program supports leaders and employees to improve safety, reduce costs, increase efficiency, and ‘Keep Utah Moving.’
We invite the public to visit our Innovation at UDOT page to learn more about our program and see a catalog of recently implemented innovations.
Employees should go to the Employee Resources web page (UDOT login required), click on the blue Employees tile at the top of the page, and scroll down to Employee Innovation Station.
RESEARCH PROGRAM
UDOT's Research Prioritization Process (Annual Research Workshop)
UDOT’s Research & Innovation Division holds a research prioritization workshop (aka “UTRAC”) every spring to help determine how the Department allocates a portion of its state planning and research (SPR) funds for new research projects. Participants include professionals from UDOT, FHWA, local governments, MPOs, transit agencies, universities, and the private sector. Together, they work to shape a leaner, smarter, and safer transportation network.
The 2026 Research Workshop sessions will be held mainly in person in April 2026 for only invited UDOT/UTA evaluation teams, UDOT/UTA problem statement champions, and UDOT research staff to discuss and prioritize the research problem statements. The submitted problem statements and workshop process information are posted below.
In preparation for the workshop, we held the Research Ideas Open House on February 5, 2026, at the UDOT Calvin Rampton Complex. This was an opportunity for UDOT/UTA subject leaders to discuss their research needs, meet new researchers, and learn about their ideas.
UTRAC TRAILBLAZER AWARD
The Trailblazer Award (1994-2025) was given annually to a UDOT employee or external research partner who made notable contributions toward excellence in the field of transportation research and had a significant history of collaboration with us.
Research Dashboard
Active Research
Final Research Reports / Final Presentation Recordings
Our most recent and frequently requested reports and presentations are posted under the gray drop-down bars below. Older reports can be accessed from these two links:
Index of R&I Final Research Reports (by year)
Archived R&I Reports (by subject)
Advanced search options are available using TRID:
Search our reports by keyword, report number, or an associated person’s name. Click on the links below to start a search, or get instructions on using the TRID database to find one of our reports.
Aeronautics
UT-25.18: Development of an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Program for the Utah Department of Transportation
UT-25.10: Vertiport Systems Integration and Location Assessment
UT-25.03: Feasibility of Vertiport Siting and Land Use Planning: A Guide for the Process of Planning UAV/UAM Vertiport Locations
UT-25.01: Statewide Drone Registration Rule Development
UT-23.14: Dashcam-Enabled Deep Learning Applications for Airport Runway Pavement Distress Detection
Asset Management and Data Analytics
UT-26.03: Benchmarking Computer Vision-Based Approaches to Derive Engineering-Oriented Condition from Existing UDOT Assets Data
UT-25.12: Asset Condition Assessment Using AI and Computer Vision
UT-06.15a: Good Roads Cost Less Executive Summary (2006 Study Update)
UT-06.15: Good Roads Cost Less (2006 Study Update)
Geotechnical
UT-22.02: CPTLIQ User’s Manual, Version 1.42
UT-21.21: Simplified Cone Penetration Test Performance-Based Assessment of Liquefaction and Effects: Phase 2, Tasks 5-10
UT-21.20: Simplified Cone Penetration Test Performance-Based Assessment of Liquefaction and Effects, Phase 1, Tasks 1-4
UT-21.18: Influence of Wingwall Geometry and Skew Angle on Passive Force Behavior of Bridge Abutments from Large-Scale Testing
UT-18.10: SPLIQ User’s Manual, Version 1.41
Maintenance and Stormwater
UT-25.20: Automated Interpretation of Culvert Inspection Videos Using AI and Computer Vision
UT-25.20: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-25.08: Mobile-Phone-Based Artificial Intelligence Package Development and Validation in Large Scale for Maintenance Asset Management
UT-25.06: Developing Snow Performance Measures for Public Information
UT-25.05: Volumetric Measurement of Salt Piles Using Photogrammetry, LiDAR, and Depth Cameras
UT-25.02: Snow Plow Performance Measures in Non-RWIS Locations
UT-24.21: Utah Roadside Litter Solutions
UT-24.14: Evaluation of Methods for UDOT Brine Tank Condition Assessment
UT-24.06: Culvert/Storm Drain Evaluation Technologies
UT-23.12: Pilot Pollinator Habitat at UDOT Rest Area in Perry, Utah
UT-23.02: Developing a Culvert Inspection Manual and Estimating Culverts’ Deterioration Curve, Inspection Frequency and Service Life for UDOT
UT-23.02: PROJECT BRIEF
UT-23.02: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
Materials and Pavements
UT-25.23: Developing and Characterizing Self-Healing Concrete for Bridge Decks
UT-25.19: Modeling the Dynamic Modulus of Asphalt Mixtures Using Single-Value Test Results, Phase III: Development of Low-Temperature, High-Frequency Relations
UT-25.07: Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Chloride Resistance of Bridge Decks
UT-24.17: Maturity Measurements in Rapid-Setting Concretes
UT-24.04: Hydrated Lime and Liquid Anti-Strip Additives: Moisture-Induced Damage Resistance Study
UT-24.02: Modeling the Dynamic Modulus of Asphalt Mixtures Using Single-Value Test Results, Phase II: Relation Between E* Parameters and CT Index
UT-23.17: Validating AASHTO PP-84 Paste Volume Limits for Shrinkage Mitigation in UDOT Concrete Mixes
Planning and Project Prioritization
UT-25.14: Geospatial Toolkit for Rapid Assessment of Post-Wildfire Sedimentation Risks to Infrastructure
UT-25.13: Proactive Planning Tool to Reduce Wildfire Sedimentation Risks
UT-24.24: Utah Travel Models Free-Flow Speed Research
UT-24.16: Activity-Based Model Implementation and Analysis Considerations
UT-24.11: A Data-Driven Analysis of Transportation Infrastructure Equity in Utah
UT-24.07: Socioeconomic Data Development Methods for Travel Demand Model Inputs: An Assessment of Socioeconomic Data Development Methods for Travel Demand Modeling Input Preparation
UT-23.23: Equitable Access to Nutrition in Utah
Public Transportation
UT-25.17: Project Governance & Best Practices for When State DOTs Deliver Transit Projects
UT-25.04: Five County Association of Governments Regional Mobility Study
UT-24.10: Increasing Public Transportation Ridership by Integrated Transportation Planning with Micromobility Services in the State of Utah
UT-24.10: PROJECT BRIEF
UT-24.09: Identifying Transit Corridors with Greatest Potential to Benefit from Transit Signal Priority
UT-23.01: Identifying Microtransit Services through Microsimulation
Research
UT-25.21: Annual UDOT Workshop on Transportation Research Needs: 2025 Proceedings
UT-24.22: Annual UDOT Workshop on Transportation Research Needs: 2024 Proceedings
UT-23.08: Annual UDOT Workshop on Transportation Research Needs: 2023 Proceedings
UT-23.07: Measuring Transportation Research Benefits in Utah
UT-23.07: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
Traffic Management and Traffic Safety
UT-26.01: Implementing the Safe System Approach for Speed Management in Utah
UT-25.22: Identifying Near-Misses (Including Red-Light Running) and Reducing Conflict Through D-FYA at Signalized Intersections Using LiDAR Sensors
UT-25.16: Identifying Safety Hot Spots in Close Proximity to K-12 Schools
UT-25.15: Effectiveness of Wildlife Fencing at Reducing Crashes
UT-25.09: Evaluation of One-Way Flagging Operations
UT-24.20: Using Unmanned Aerial Systems to Facilitate Traffic Incident Management
UT-24.20: FINAL PRESENTATION RECORDING
UT-24.19: Predicting Lane Utilization at Signalized Intersections in Advance of Arterial Lane Drops
UT-24.18: Implementing the Safe System Approach at Intersections in Utah
UT-24.15: Measuring the Impact of Roadside Features on Road-Departure Crashes and Prioritizing Safety Improvement Projects
UT-24.13: Validating the Collection of Skid Data by Assessing Correlation with Crash Data
UT-24.12: Effect of Roadway Lighting on Safety
UT-24.08: Construction Work Zone Safety: Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Construction Work Zone Crashes
UT-24.03: Transportation Benefits and Costs of Reducing Lane Widths on Urban and Rural Arterials
UT-24.01: Developing Safety Performance Functions for Utah Roadways and Intersections
Research Performed by Other UDOT Divisions
Other Research & Innovation Links
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD / TRB ANNUAL MEETING
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