MnDOT Research & Innovation

🛣️ Can centerlines lower vehicle speeds and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other nonmotorized road users? 🚙 Vehicle speed is a major factor in crash severity, especially for vulnerable road users. In a new MnDOT and LRRB funded project, researchers are determining if there is a relationship between centerlines and traffic speeds on low-speed, two-lane, and two-way urban streets. Insights into using centerlines can help enhance safety for all road users. "This research is needed to understand the potential of centerlines as a tool to encourage slower speeds," said Ken Johnson, assistant state traffic engineer, MnDOT Office of Traffic Engineering. "Results will help MnDOT and local agencies ensure urban roads are safe and accommodate the needs of all users." This project is led by Timothy Gates, Peter Savolainen, and Kakan Dey with Michigan State University and Ken Johnson with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gpM7hnmg

Bigger trucks, fewer trips? 🚚🏞️ Trucks emit over one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. Bigger trucks could mean moving more freight at once and reducing the number of trips taken. In a new LRRB-funded project, researchers are developing a tool to analyze truck weights and assess the impacts on road, pavement surfaces, and bridge capacities. “The research is needed to fill a void in tools to support the freight community in reducing VMT,” said Duane Hill, district engineer, MnDOT District 1. “MnDOT will be informed of potential infrastructure impacts before supporting changes to allowable truck sizes or weights.” This project is led by Alireza Khani with the University of Minnesota, and Duane Hill and Laura Roads with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/guNwyBat

❄️ 🚙 You still can register for tomorrow's webinar, Research Radar: Advancements in Winter Maintenance. We'll be discussing new research and technologies that have the potential to enhance winter maintenance capabilities and improve traffic safety. Join us at 10 AM, Dec. 19!

❄️ 🚙 Join us Dec. 19, 10-11 am for the webinar, Research Radar: Advancements in Winter Maintenance. Learn about new research and technologies that have the potential to enhance winter maintenance capabilities and improve traffic safety. Free to attend. Register today! The projects featured include: Snowplow Driver Assist System Implementation Plan led by Brian Davis with the University of Minnesota and Cory Johnson with Minnesota Department of Transportation (speaker) Snowplow Optimization & GPS/AVL on Maintenance Equipment led by Susan Miller with SRF Consulting Group and Joe MacPherson with Anoka County (speaker) Human-Centered Testing of Rear-Facing Display to Reduce Vehicle Collisions with Snowplows led by Nichole Morris, Ph.D. with University of Minnesota and Steve Blaufuss with Minnesota Department of Transportation (speaker)

J-turn intersection designs have many safety benefits by reducing potential conflict points. Stop sign and stop bar placements can also encourage safer driving behaviors. A new-LRRB funded study is analyzing driver reactions to J-turns in rural areas to understand the effect of different design features on driver decision-making. "The research will suggest how drivers react to J-turns in different scenarios and the impact of the distance between a stop bar and a stop sign," said Vic Lund, traffic engineer, St. Louis County. "Understanding what encourages safe driving behavior will help us design and maintain our rural intersections." This project is led by Nichole Morris, Ph.D. and Katelyn S. with the University of Minnesota and Victor Lund with St. Louis County, MN. https://lnkd.in/gNeqwXXF

Webinar tomorrow! Learn about this resource to help you staff up your transportation maintenance workforce.

Alternative deicers perform better due to its unique composition compared to melting salt alone. Current winter maintenance operators rely on past experience or vendor recommendations to choose an alternative deicer and timing of application. A new LRRB-funded research study will analyze different alternative deicer mixtures and quantify its benefits in different winter road conditions. “This research will enhance MnDOT’s ability to provide winter roadway safety while minimizing the environmental impact,” said Thomas Peters, research engineer, MnDOT Office of Maintenance. “In addition to reductions in chloride use, winter road maintenance in extra cold conditions will be improved.” This project is led by Stephen Druschel with the Minnesota State University, Mankato and Mr. Thomas Peters with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gyr6EreV

❄️🚘 Sure, winter in Minnesota is inevitable but the methods for maintaining our roads continue to evolve and improve. Attend our webinar, Research Radar: Advancements in Winter Maintenance, on Dec. 19, 10-11 am, to learn about new research and technologies that have the potential to enhance winter maintenance capabilities and improve traffic safety. Free to attend. Register today! The projects featured include: Snowplow Driver Assist System Implementation Plan led by Brian Davis with the University of Minnesota and Cory Johnson with Minnesota Department of Transportation (speaker) Snowplow Optimization & GPS/AVL on Maintenance Equipment led by Susan Miller with SRF Consulting Group and Joe MacPherson with Anoka County (speaker) Human-Centered Testing of Rear-Facing Display to Reduce Vehicle Collisions with Snowplows led by Nichole Morris, Ph.D. with University of Minnesota and Steve Blaufuss with Minnesota Department of Transportation (speaker)

Geotextiles and geogrids are pavement applications that reinforce the soil base for roads. The geosynthetic material offers many functions including moisture reduction, stabilizing base materials and improving load bearing capacity. A new MnDOT-funded study is analyzing the pavement benefits of geotextiles and the best way to apply them in different road conditions. “The research will help MnDOT modernize how we use geotextile and geogrid materials to enhance our pavement design and construction approaches,” said Terry Beaudry, grading and base engineer, MnDOT Office of Materials and Road Research. This project is led by Erol Tutumluer and Issam Qamhia with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Halil Ceylan with ISU Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Sunghwan kim with Iowa State University, and Terry Beaudry with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gkj4T7bd

Join the Minnesota Local Road Research Board tomorrow! Thursday, Nov. 14, Noon - 1 p.m. webinar, Stay in Your Lane: App to Warn Drivers of Unintentional Lane Departures. 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. Free to attend. Register today!