The annual base budget committed to maintenance operations research is $750,000. Additional funding is periodically received for specific research projects from other research bodies such as the FHWA and Minnesota LRRB. A breakdown of Maintenance Operations Research Program funding for fiscal year 1995 (July 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995) by program category is shown in Figure 3.
The program involves large research projects which may have funding approved for over two or more fiscal years, as well as spontaneous "skunkworks" type projects costing less than $12,000. Research proposals with funding request of more than $12,000 are considered for approval by the Area Maintenance Engineers' New Technology Research and Equipment Committee (NTREC), whereas the Maintenance Operations Research Engineer has authority to approve projects costing up to $12,000. The NTREC Committee typically meets quarterly to consider the larger project proposals submitted to the Maintenance Operations Research Engineer.
To help manage the Maintenance Operations Research Program's annual budget, funding approvals, and actual payments, as well as other data related to individual research projects, a project tracking system has been designed and is in place. The project tracking system provides easy access to Mn/DOT users who are able to view summary research information on ongoing and historical projects, as well as to print out completed field test reports. The application is programmed on Paradox 5.0 for Windows and is part of a statewide effort of linking various research databases together in order for Minnesota to be able to provide a better and more up-to-date service to transportation research professionals.