摘要: |
The Michigan State University (MSU) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) entered into a partnership to establish the Pavement Research Center of Excellence (PRCE) in 1995. At present there are four full time faculty and one specialist in the pavement engineering group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at MSU who are actively involved in MDOT sponsored research. The pavement group brings more than 100 years of research experience collectively. The group has directly benefited from the close partnership between the PRCE and MDOT. In addition to the research faculty a large number of graduate and undergraduate students have actively participated in MDOT sponsored research projects through the PRCE in the last 18 years. A list of current and completed research projects funded by MDOT and other sources is presented in the Activities Section. These projects cover the entire spectrum of highway pavement design, management, materials and preservation. These projects have resulted in a variety of implementable products that the MDOT engineers are using currently or analyzing their potential use in the future. The Center will conduct education, outreach, research, implementation, testing, analytical and field investigative services as described by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Additional specific work tasks may be conducted upon MDOT's request. The main objective of the center is to facilitate research and implementation of results, in support of MDOTs highway pavement design, management, preservation, materials and construction programs as well as implementation of potentially adopted technologies. The primary objective of the PRCE is to assist MDOT with the implementation of its Research Strategic Plan. The PRCE will achieve this primary objective by providing the following services to MDOT: (1) provide technical expertise in areas of core competency to address MDOT's short-‐term and long-term needs; (2) increased focus on implementable products as part of the research projects and to ensure that all research final reports are submitted on time and within budget, and include implementation plans, as part of the final deliverable; (3) disseminate research results and implementable products to MDOT and other agencies through presentations, seminars, short courses and committee meetings; (4) conduct short courses based on MDOT needs; and (5) create a pool of skilled pavement engineers that have the potential to be future MDOT and Michigan transportation industry professionals, through the pavement curriculum at MSU. |