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The collection consists of prints and negatives, black and white, as well as color transparencies taken by Highway Department / Department of Transportation photographers from 1958 to 1998. The images originated with the Department of Highways, Highways Division, Photo Section Unit (1958-1965) which includes original negatives and proofs. Included as well, are images related to the Historical Society, and some images of various public officials. The images capture highway construction and planning, traffic accidents, public events, Montana's Centennial celebrations and activities, Montana governors and their activities, Highway department personnel and workplaces, effects of natural disasters on highway systems, as well as equipment and other Highways related material and affairs.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) conducts research to discover, develop, or extend knowledge needed to operate, maintain, and improve the statewide multimodal transportation system. Specific goals include: evaluation and advancement of new technologies, materials and methods; development of design and analysis techniques; and study of current transportation challenges. The purpose of this report is to give an overall description of research, development, and technology transfer activities for federal fiscal year 2005 within the Research Programs of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). Through these activities the Research Programs enhances MDT's ability to deliver efficient and effective transportation services. MDT's mission is to serve the public by providing a transportation system and services that emphasize quality, safety, cost effectiveness, economic vitality and sensitivity to the environment. MDT'S Research Programs impacts each and every part of MDT's mission. Research projects completed in FFY 2005 yielded results that when fully implemented will improve: MDT efficiency and effectiveness, including costeffectiveness, of MDT operations and technology transfer; increase sensitivity to the environment, including decreasing the release of pollutants to Montana's air and water from vehicle emissions, improving consideration of the health and survival of wildlife species during inspection and construction, and decreasingvehicle-wildlife collisions; improve safety by decreasing roadside hazards and through training and technology transfer; increase Montana's economic development and vitality through transportation projects and the encouragement of the development of Montana products; and improve the quality of what we do andhow we do it, including bridge design and inspection, and materials testing and acceptance.

This report has been prepared in response to the Governor's request of the Montana Highway Commission to investigate the feasibility of creating a Department of Transportation. Forty-five states have already formed DOTs incorporating a wide range of transportation activities. Appendix A includes a chart showing this diversity. Highway departments and related activities are a common thread in all DOTS. However, in Montana many transportation functions are spread among many state agencies. This report is the result of a cooperative effort of the Department of Highways and the other state agencies. The report is organized into sections corresponding to each agency unit which was studied and considered for incorporation into a DOT. Each section contains a synopsis of the units' functions, activities, size, financial data and any advantages, disadvantages or issues which were identified regarding the units' inclusion in a DOT.