Introducing Iowa Highway Research Board

The Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) was established in 1950 to provide guidance and oversight for the use of the Secondary Road Research funds. Fifty-five years later, the IHRB is still fulfilling that role, overseeing about 20 new projects each year involving transportation issues in Iowa. The value earned from this research is continually returned to Iowa taxpayers multifold through cost savings of innovations, improved safety and implementation of pro-active technologies.

Research Ideas, Problem Statements/Proposals

The IHRB encourages submission of research ideas and problem statements. If you have an idea that may merit evaluation for research please contact Mark Dunn. Mark will help you determine the best approach for proceeding under the current business plan. Any problem statements or proposals that are submitted to the IHRB must be prepared according to the problem statement/proposal and guidelines. Note: Starting with the 2001 fiscal year (July 2000), the Iowa Highway Research Board began using a new business plan for selecting research projects. On a semi-annual basis, the board publishes a list of topics and a request for research proposals - the majority of research efforts will be focused on these topics. Proposals that fall outside of these requested areas will be accepted on only a limited, case-by-case basis.

IHRB Meetings

The IHRB holds meetings generally on the last Friday of every month. However, the board does not meet March or August; and the November and December meetings are combined, and take place on the last day of the Iowa County Engineer's conference in the first week or so of December. Minutes from previous meetings are available, once they have been approved. The agenda for each meeting is prepared approximately two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. You can find the dates of meetings for the next four years by clicking here. If you have any questions contact Mark Dunn.