The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

New ICT-IDOT reports

11/15/2025 McCall Macomber

Illinois Center for Transportation is pleased to announce the publication of reports from the following Illinois Department of Transportation-sponsored projects, in order of publication.

R27-254: Development of Equipment Rental Schedule for Illinois
Zheyong Bian and Sasha Dong, University of Houston
Ziteng Wang, Northern Illinois University
Douglas Dirks and Tim Peters, Illinois Department of Transportation

During highway construction, contractors may need to perform “extra” work not considered during the design phase to successfully complete a project. When this takes place, the contractor is paid for their labor, material and equipment costs. Contractors receive reimbursement for owned equipment per EquipmentWatch’s subscription-based Rental Rate Blue Book, and local agencies can seek reimbursement for use of equipment on Motor Fuel Tax eligible projects.

This project developed and implemented a web-based rate schedule tool that is user-friendly and accurately reflects ownership and operating costs for various categories of heavy, medium and light construction equipment typically used on road and bridge construction projects. The project ensured that rates provided for contractor-owned equipment reimbursement more accurately reflect the true ownership and operating costs of said equipment in Illinois as well as provide small businesses with a way to do business with IDOT without incurring a large cost for service.

R27-248: Investigation of Dolomite Aggregate Long-Term Cementation and Its Potential Advantage for Building Roads
Erol Tutumluer and Nishant Garg, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Andrew Stolba and Tim Peters, Illinois Department of Transportation

Dolomite and limestone are two of the most commonly available quarried materials in the state of Illinois. Dolomite, which was recently named Illinois’ state rock in June 2022, is composed of calcium magnesium carbonate and is known for its durability.
Dolomite and limestone are two of the most commonly available quarried materials in the state of Illinois. Dolomite, which was recently named Illinois’ state rock in June 2022, is composed of calcium magnesium carbonate and is known for its durability.

This project aimed to improve the durability and stability of roads in Illinois by using waste materials from quarries. The researchers investigated dolomite, a mineral commonly found in Illinois, to determine its effectiveness in improving the quality of gravel roads and road construction.

Finding effective uses for by-products that will increase road durability will not only help reduce waste, but also reduce the cost of building and maintaining roadways.

R27-SP68: Development of Recommended Best Management Practices for IDOT Related to the Rusty Patched Bumblebee
Jason Robinson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Kimberly Burkwald, Illinois Department of Transportation

The rusty patched bumblebee has been listed as federally endangered since 2017.
The rusty patched bumblebee has been listed as federally endangered since 2017.

This project examined avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures for the rusty patched bumblebee in IDOT roadway maintenance and construction projects. Researchers will provide recommended best management practices as well as avoidance, minimization or mitigation measures for IDOT to adopt.

Taking proactive steps related to best management practices for the rusty patched bumblebee will streamline project coordination with resource agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources as well as environmental compliance needs.