MnDOT Research & Innovation

The U.S. is aiming for 50% of all new vehicles to be electric by 2030. Converting to electric vehicle fleets comes with new challenges and requires new solutions. Researchers are investigating technical, financial, and logistical needs of local agencies transitioning to EV fleets. “We need this research to answer numerous questions regarding where agencies even begin to consider EV fleet conversions,” said Lyndon Robjent, county engineer, Carver County. “Sharing common needs and challenges, best practices and available resources will be a tremendous support.” This project is led by Alireza Khani with the University of Minnesota, Alyssa Ryan with the University of Arizona, and Lyndon Robjent with Carver County. https://lnkd.in/g3MTCUph

Historic rainfall data and trends are used to help design stormwater management infrastructure, which impact property and human safety. A new MnDOT-funded study is evaluating extreme storm impacts and assessing flood management strategies in different stormwater regions. “MnDOT, along with other agencies, communities and organizations across Minnesota, is striving to increase resilience to flooding,” said Rachel Pichelmann, hydraulic resiliency engineer, MnDOT Hydraulics. “This research will help stakeholders understand the impacts of extreme precipitation on transportation infrastructure and assist in applying strategies to increase flood resilience.” This project is led by Andrew J Erickson, William Herb, John Gulliver and Noah Gallagher with the University of Minnesota – St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, and Rachel Pichelmann with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gdkVnWMG

Guidelines for road feature design and placement have traditionally focused on higher-speed roads. A new LRRB-funded project is identifying the effects of features such as sidewalks, speed limits, and surrounding land use on driving speeds to help enhance design for low and intermediate speed roads. “The research will help MnDOT understand how roadside features such as tress and signs may impact pedestrian and bicyclist safety,” said Hannah Pritchard, pedestrian and bicycle engineer, MnDOT Active Transportation Unit. “Results will help us understand the nuance of multimodal safety on low-and intermediate-speed roads.” This project is led by Kakan Dey, Timothy Gates, and Peter Savolainen with Michigan State University, Subasish Das with Texas State University and Hannah Pritchard, PE, PTOE with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/ghXxrNu8

Join us for the Minnesota Local Road Research Board webinar on Nov. 14, noon to 1 p.m., to learn about a new app developed to warn drivers against unintentional lane departure. Imran Hayee with the University of Minnesota Duluth and Vic Lund with St. Louis County, MN will discuss how this innovative lane departure detection app addresses the limitations of currently available systems and provides real-time warnings to drivers. The webinar is free, Register today! https://lnkd.in/gkSrMw6R

Nonmotorized traffic volume data can help determine areas for better pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure 🚴 🚶. Historically, this has been challenging due to limited monitoring techniques. In a recently completed project, researchers combined mobile and monitoring data to predict traveler route flows. “This project was a great starting point to understand how to use mobile data for estimating bicyclist and pedestrian traffic, including how to combine it with our monitored data to produce more accurate results,” said Suzanne Scotty, pedestrian and bicycle planner, MnDOT Pedestrian and Bicyclist Data Program. This project was led by Raphael Stern, Greg Lindsey, and Michael Levin with the University of Minnesota and Michael Petesch and Suzanne Scotty with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gkEzZwhG

Over 1,200 deer-vehicle crashes were reported between 2016 and 2020 in Minnesota. The financial, social, and environmental costs are extremely high with serious injuries to humans and wildlife. To understand the full extent of deer-vehicle collisions, MnDOT researchers collected information on Minnesota roads such as traffic volume, vehicle speeds, and road types to develop a mapping tool to identify high risk areas. Here’s what you need to know: 📞 Comparing records with the MN Department of Public Safety, an average of 10% of deer-collision crashes are reported. 🚗 Roads with highest reporting levels tend to be highways with high speeds or local roads with speeds under 30mph. 📈 Higher deer densities and wider roads positively correlated to higher crash risk. This project was led by Raphael Stern and Ron Moen with the University of Minnesota and Christopher E. Smith, CWB® with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gFnSn99p

It’s back to school season! 🏫📓🍏 This week MnDOT’s Research & Innovation director, Katie Walker, joined the Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota Scholars on campus to discuss MnDOT’s new research strategic plan and explore creative partnership opportunities. Photo courtesy of CTS.

Roundabouts offer a safer approach to road design by reducing driving speeds and road congestion. While studies showed decreased crashes after roundabout installations, are they a better alternative for heavy commercial vehicles? A MnDOT investigation reviewed 100 roundabouts and discovered the following: 🛣 Wider circulatory lanes offer more space for maneuvering and improves stability 🚩Speeding through roundabouts significantly increases rollover risks 🚚 Educating truck drivers on roundabout navigation techniques and optimal speeds could decrease rollover risk This study was led by Mark Wagner, PE, Eric DeVoe, and Ryan Mwangi with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/ggKDKMtA

Join us for a free webinar Oct. 31 to learn about recent updates to the Stormwater BMP Maintenance Resource Guide! CTS Scholar Andrew J Erickson will discuss revisions and expansions to the guide, which serves as a handy reference tool for practitioners to optimize decisions and increase the cost-effectiveness of stormwater management. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gCkA9Kjp

Road features such as medians, curbs, on-street parking, and bicycle lanes all have an impact on speed limits. The Complete Streets approach to roadway design emphasizes traffic safety using existing road conditions. A field data analysis was conducted to identify whether certain road features cause changes in driving speeds. 📑 Improved traffic safety has been linked to Complete Streets guidelines 🚗 Drivers demonstrated measurable changes in speed when approaching various design features 🛣 Single-lane roundabouts had the largest reduction in average travel speed of 7 mph This study was led by Peter Savolainen with Michigan State University and Duane Hill with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gCMi5XA2