New Technologies for Detecting and Mapping Passages Beneath Missouri Highways

Details

• Creators:
  Ducey, Luke ; Capes, Andrew ; Grote, Katherine ; Maurer, Jeremy
• Corporate Creators:
  Missouri University of Science and Technology ; WSP USA Inc.
• Corporate Contributors:
  Missouri. Department of Transportation. Construction and Materials Division ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Abandoned Mine Workings Electrical Resistivity Geophysical Methods Geophysics Ground Penetrating Radar Highway Infrastructure Highway Planning Infrastructure Karst Karst Terrain Mines Non-intrusive Investigations Risk Risk-based Investigation Framework Seismicity Seismic Methods Subsurface Drainage Subsurface Void Detection Tomography Transportation Corridors

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  CMR 26-008
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Missouri
• Edition:
  Final Report (August 2025 - May 2026)
• Corporate Publisher:
  Missouri. Department of Transportation. Construction and Materials Division
• Abstract:
  The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) commissioned WSP USA Inc., in collaboration with the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), to evaluate advanced, nonintrusive geophysical and remote sensing technologies for detecting and mapping subsurface passages beneath Missouri highways. Subsurface features such as karst voids, caves, sinkholes, and abandoned mine workings present ongoing risks to roadway safety, structural performance, and long-term maintenance, particularly in regions underlain by karst terrain and historic mining activity. This study was conducted to provide MoDOT with a practical, implementation-focused assessment of available subsurface investigation methods and to develop a risk-based framework for their application beneath active transportation corridors. Following a comprehensive literature review, technical evaluation, and review of practices employed by other state departments of transportation, a suite of geophysical and remote sensing methods was assessed. Evaluated technologies included Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), seismic refraction, and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), microgravity, magnetometry, transient electromagnetic (TEM)surveying, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), muography, and selected borehole geophysical methods. Each method was evaluated based on depth of investigation, sensitivity to voids and weak zones, logistical constraints, suitability beneath paved roadways, and applicability to Missouri's geologic conditions. Results indicate that no single method is universally effective; however, ERT consistently provides the most reliable primary subsurface imaging for void detection in karst and mining-prone settings. Based on these findings, a phased, multi-method investigation framework is recommended to support proactive risk management, targeted verification, and informed decision-making for MoDOT's transportation infrastructure.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  TR202603
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e12f5041a2665dc6844a5dc70283d1a1de60fef8efb0097ffcf2263a6f814d159b0829c75162941a705e15332a76a2613cd7ceb9da40f006de3cf4bfd1e67d20
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93016/dot_93016_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.08 MB ]