ISU College of Engineering receives $183,000 transportation grant

The Idaho State University civil engineering department will conduct a yearlong assessment aimed at improving the quality of Idaho’s roads while cutting construction costs after receiving a grant of $183,000 from the Idaho Transportation Department.

By compiling information on existing pavement projects in Idaho and conducting experimental studies based on materials used in Idaho road projects, the research team will be able to provide recommendations which could save the state millions of dollars.

Habib Sadid, PhD, ISU civil engineering professor, is the principal investigator for the research team. He will work with two graduate and two undergraduate students as well as highway engineers from each of the Idaho Transportation Districts to conduct the study. 

“This study will investigate the most cost effective way of building highways by cost/benefit analysis and finding a better technique to improve the life cycle for pavement,” Sadid said. “In addition, this project will offer hands-on scientific and research experience in highway engineering to students.”

The physical experiments will be conducted in the ISU College of Engineering Concrete Laboratory.

The proposed project will commence Sept. 1 and will be completed by Aug. 31, 2008.

Media Contact: Dr. Habib Sadid, Idaho State University, Department of Civil Engineering, (208-282-4186, sadihabi@isu.edu