New ICT-IDOT projects
8/14/2026
Illinois Center for Transportation is pleased to announce the start of new Illinois Department of Transportation-sponsored projects, from most recent start date.
R27-291: Unified Distress Severity Framework and Enhanced CRS Calculation Models for Illinois Pavements
Yanfeng Ouyang and Imad Al-Qadi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
John Senger and Travis Lobmaster, Illinois Department of Transportation
The Illinois Department of Transportation uses the Condition Rating Survey to assess the condition of pavement statewide and predict future performance. The rating system helps the agency to plan and manage transportation projects.
IDOT’s CRS currently has differing definitions for pavement distress and varying severity levels. This project aims to better define distress levels used in IDOT’s CRS as well as create a data-driven, standardized framework for the severity and extent of pavement distresses. The research team will redevelop IDOT’s existing calculation and prediction models for CRS and update the agency’s CRS tool.
The updated CRS models will improve the accuracy of condition ratings, which will help IDOT to better select pavement projects and treatments as well as plan the life cycle of pavement.
The project will conclude August 2029.
R27-292: Condition Rating Survey Performance Models for Pavement Treatments and Surface Types
Ramez Hajj, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Laura Heckel and John Senger, Illinois Department of Transportation
This project will update models for Illinois Department of Transportation’s Condition Rating Survey, which is used to manage, plan and prioritize transportation projects, to reflect new pavement technologies and preservation treatments developed over the past 10 years.
The researchers will also develop Illinois-specific performance models for nationwide Federal Highway Administration pavement indices, including International Roughness Index, rutting, faulting, and percent cracking, for all IDOT pavement types. They will also create software that will allow IDOT to model pavement deterioration and update the models as needed.
The updated CRS models will improve the accuracy of IDOT’s CRS calculations that forecast future pavement condition as well as projections of FHWA’s performance metrics for Illinois, which will help to identify gaps in performance and potential funding needed to close those gaps.
The project will conclude August 2028.
R27-295: Assessment Methodology of Post-Relocation Dispersal of Mussels in a Natural River Setting after Construction Projects
Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Tanya Fendler and Charlotte Narr, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Elisabeth Hollinden, GZA GeoEnvironmental
Felecia Hurley, Illinois Department of Transportation
Freshwater mussels are relocated during infrastructure and construction projects to reduce impacts to these species, as constructions projects are subject to state and federal environmental compliance requirements to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to threatened and endangered species. Mussel experts (malacologists) do not currently know where mussels are moving to after mussel relocations occur or why the mussels are moving.
This project’s goal is to develop and validate a way to assess daily mussel movement in large river systems after relocation and during construction. The researchers will identify a technology to monitor mussel movement, quantify movement patterns and identify influencing factors after relocation.
Outcomes of the project include a field-tested protocol for monitoring mussel dispersal, helping to inform future avoidance and minimization options on state transportation projects and the resulting consultation with the resource agencies.
The project will end February 2030.
R27-296: Developing Specifications for Implementing C1157 Hydraulic Cements in Structural Concrete Applications
Nishant Garg, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Matthew Gombeda, Illinois Institute of Technology
James Krstulovich, Illinois Department of Transportation
ASTM International introduced a specification (C1157) for hydraulic cement that allows transportation agencies to use formulations that meet performance criteria, rather than a set chemical composition. Using performance-based cement will allow agencies to explore more environmentally friendly, cost-effective options for cement in concrete while maintaining durability.
The goal of this project is to create a performance-based framework that allows new, sustainable cement formulations in concrete for Illinois infrastructure. The researchers will examine the reactivity, durability and physical performance of ASTM C1157 hydraulic cements as well as prepare draft specifications and guidelines to assist IDOT with implementing promising C1157 mixes.
Using C1157 hydraulic cement will help IDOT support innovative, emerging technologies in cement materials while improving the sustainability, cost-effectiveness and performance of its materials.
The project will end August 2029.
R27-297: Development of a Pavement Friction Management Program for Illinois — Phase II
Yanfeng Ouyang and Ramez Hajj, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Priscilla Tobias, Arora and Associates, PC
Hao Wang, Rutgers University
John Senger, Illinois Department of Transportation
Friction between pavement and vehicles is a key part to highway safety, allowing drivers to change directions safely as well as reducing skidding or hydroplaning.
This effort builds off ICT-IDOT project R27-264, which developed a statewide management program for pavement friction by using statistical modeling to correlate pavement friction and safety analysis. In this project, researchers will use pavement friction data for Illinois’ road network to further enhance the developed program, continue revisions to the friction aggregate mixture policy and conduct pilot implementation in a few IDOT districts.
The enhanced program will allow IDOT to identify areas with elevated safety risks and determine improvements to friction to reduce crashes, increasing safety for roadway users.
The project will conclude August 2030.
R27-298: Field Implementation of Quarry By-Product based Otta Seal for Low-Volume Roads
Erol Tutumluer and Ramez Hajj, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
John Senger and Andrew Stolba, Illinois Department of Transportation
An Otta seal is a cost-effective surface treatment that is formed by adding graded aggregate to a thick application of soft binder. It is worked into the aggregate as traffic rolls over it.
This effort expands on ICT-IDOT project R27-268, which successfully designed and tested Otta seal mixes in the lab using underutilized quarry materials, a leftover material from crushed rock extraction. Researchers will test the lab-developed Otta seal design on a real-world roadway section and assess its performance over time.
Successful use of Otta seal treatments made with underutilized quarry materials will reduce operational costs and maintenance needs on local roads as well as provide environmental benefits from utilizing existing materials.
The project will conclude August 2028.
R27-SP82: Determination of the Surface Oxidation of Pavement Preservation Treatments
Ramez Hajj, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Kelly Senger, Illinois Department of Transportation
Oxidation, a process in which asphalt binder reacts with oxygen, occurs in asphalt pavement, reducing its longevity, durability and performance. The role of oxidation in pavement preservation treatments, however, is little understood.
This project seeks to determine the impact of environmental aging on pavement preservation treatments. Researchers will quantify the extent of aging on asphalt binder used in chip seal and microsurfacing treatments and, if aging is a significant factor, propose ways to mitigate it.
Obtaining data on the role of aging in pavement preservation will allow IDOT to better predict the lifespan of pavement and help to lessen aging, improving the longevity of pavements and minimizing disruption to drivers for maintenance, rehabilitation or reconstruction activities.
The project will conclude May 2027.