Realistic traffic simulation is crucial to the validity of athletic field research. Previously developed athletic field traffic simulators contain studded drums that turn at different speeds, creating shear forces at the playing surface. The Cady Traffic Simulator (CTS) (a modified walk‐behind core cultivation unit) was developed at Michigan State University in 2000. The objective of this study was to compare the magnitude and direction of the forces produced by two traffic simulators: the Brinkman Traffic Simulator (BTS), a pull‐behind unit, and the CTS. Both simulators were operated over an in‐ground force plate, which measured the forces in three directions: front to back, side to side, and vertical. The CTS produced a higher compressive stress and net shear stress when operated in either direction than the BTS. The average peak compressive stress produced by the feet of the CTS when operated in the forward direction was approximately 30 times higher than the combined compressive stresses of both BTS drums. The average peak net shear stress produced by the feet of the CTS when operated in the forward direction was approximately 15 times higher than the combined net shear stresses of both BTS drums. Operating in the reverse direction, the average peak compressive stress produced by the feet of the CTS was greater than five times the compressive stresses of both BTS drums combined. The average peak net shear stress produced by the feet of the CTS was approximately four times higher than the combined net shear stresses of both BTS drums.

The Brinkman Traffic Simulator (BTS) has been a useful tool to simulate sports field traffic. However, rate of traffic stress produced by the BTS, a pull‐behind unit with two differentially connected studded rollers, has been questioned. The Cady Traffic Simulator (CTS), a modified walk‐behind core cultivation unit, was developed and tested to potentially produce more aggressive traffic stress. A comparison study was initiated between the BTS and CTS to evaluate these simulators on a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand. Playing surface data collected were surface hardness, traction, soil moisture, bulk density, porosity, and plant counts. Higher surface hardness, lower traction, and lower plant count values resulted when the CTS applied 10 passes per week (PPW) compared with other treatments. Surface hardness, traction, and bulk density values were statistically similar when the CTS applied 2 PPW, and BTS applied 10 PPW.

The turfgrass program at Michigan State University has recently dedicated and focused its research on sports turf management. There are three major areas of research: (1) the indoor turfgrass project, (2) the use of crumb rubber from used tires, and (3) management of high sand-based root zone athletic fields. The indoor turf project stemmed from the 1994 World Cup Soccer Matches involving the installation and maintenance of a portable turfgrass system in the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The majority of the research for this project was completed in a 600-m2 dome constructed on the Michigan State University campus specifically for this project. The crumb rubber project was initiated in 1990 and nine experiments were used to investigate the incorporation of crumb rubber from used tires into the soil profile and at the turf-soil interface of turf systems to improve turfgrass wear tolerance and reduce soil compaction. The sand-based root zone turf project was initiated in 1992 to investigate establishment and management scenarios specific to these areas. A 334-m2 field was constructed to investigate these practices. Initial studies dealt with the establishment of either Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with different fertilizer management regimes.

Little information exists for sports field managers on optimal ways to re‐establish trafficked areas on a sports field during a 70‐day window. A 2002 Michigan Rotational Survey reported two cultural practices sports field managers performed most consistently, regardless of maintenance level, were mowing and fertility. A study was conducted at Michigan State University in 2002 and 2003. Objectives were to (i) clarify the impact of best management practices in regards to mowing height and fertilization on re‐establishment of sports field turf during a 70‐day window, and (ii) quantify these effects during and after a 25‐day simulated traffic period. Data collected were turfgrass cover percent ratings, traction, and peak deceleration. The gradually reducing mowing height treatment was significantly higher for turfgrass cover percent ratings only at the end of the 70‐day window for both years. Fertilization, the more dominant factor, was applied at the start of the experiment (1 June) whereas mowing was not begun until four to five weeks later. Resin coated urea at 147 kg of N per ha, with a 6% Reactive Layer Coating, was most effective in providing the strongest and most uniform surface throughout the study according to playing surface measurement.