Research reports

Learn about applied transportation research conducted by WSDOT. Find information on current research projects, access research reports, watch our webinars and contact our research coordinators.

Why we conduct research

Research impacts all aspects of work at WSDOT, from road materials to the natural environment. We conduct research and development projects to understand why problems occur and how to prevent or correct them through improved information, technology or processes. We use systematic inquiry to improve our ability to deliver transportation projects and operate a safe and efficient transportation system.

Areas of research

Engineering - Construction, Materials, Pavement, Geotechnical, Water Resources, Design Safety, Geometrics, Bridge Engineering

Operations - Emergency Management, Finance, Freight Mobility, ITS/Congestion, Maintenance Operations, NCHRP Review, Passenger Rail, Public Private Partnerships, Security, Snow & Ice Removal, Tolling, Traffic Operations

Multimodal - Air Quality, Aviation, Bicycle/Pedestrian, Biology, Environment, Noise, Public Transportation, Student Studies, Sustainability, Washington State Ferries, Wildlife Passage

2025-2027 WSDOT research program

Applied

Speed Reduction Treatments in Transition Zones
Pavement Design Guidance for Extreme Events
Seismic Collapse Prevention for WSDOT Bridges
Shore Power Partnerships for eMobility at Terminals
Enhancing Active Transportation User Safety through I2X Technology
Low Impact Development Practices to Reduce Stormwater Runoff

Innovative

Benefits of Drone Use in Traffic Management
Remote Sensing for Early Slope Hazard Detection and Management
Reducing Curing Duration and Early Age Cracking in Washington Concrete Bridge Decks
Identifying and Addressing Active Transportation Gaps in Satellite Communities
Laser Scanner Data Collection to Refine Chip Seal Construction Specification
Continual Learning for Predicting Truck Parking Availability

Research reports

Read published research reports that describe the results of our research projects. You can search and browse reports in the Washington State Library catalog. Catalog records include abstracts and full text reports.

Searching reports in the library catalog

To find a specific report, use a keyword search (i.e. "WA-RD 256.1") or access the associated drop-down menu to search by author or title.
To search by subject, use the advanced search with "WA-RD*" entered in the first Search Words box. Enter a subject term (i.e. ferries) in the second Search Words box with Subject selected from the Search Type drop-down menu.
To browse reports, view a list of WA-RD reports by number and use the Previous button to navigate to older reports.

Webinars

Our bi-monthly webinars showcase WSDOT's research projects. Since 2017, our series has covered a wide range of transportation research topics from engineering to the environment, construction to maintenance, and policy to pica conservation. Recordings of past webinars are available for viewing.