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Loehr receiving the Innovative Researcher Achievement Award from Mara Campbell, MoDOT's organizational results director.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. — University of Missouri Professor Erik Loehr, Ph.D., is the recipient of the Missouri Department of Transportation's 2011 Innovative Researcher Achievement Award. The award recognizes an individual or team that produces exceptional and innovative research to advance transportation in Missouri.

Loehr and his research team worked with MoDOT to develop a practical, less costly approach to designing bridge foundations and earth slopes. By moving away from the one-size-fits-all industry standards, the researchers created new guidelines that allow designers to meet the specific project need. One change in how shafts are drilled is estimated to save MoDOT about $45,000 per bridge project.

Loehr, a registered professional engineer, is the director of research and an associate professor in the civil and environmental engineering department at the University of Missouri. He has performed research for agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration, as well as for a number of private contractors and companies.