MnDOT Research & Innovation

Chip seal enhances the life performance of road surfaces. A LRRB research project is testing different pavement sections of chip sealed surfaces to understand the long-term performance of chip seals and identify the ideal circumstances for its application. “This research will provide needed information regarding the ideal conditions for chip seal application to result in the best performance,” said Joel Ulring, pavement preservation engineer, MnDOT Office of Materials & Road Research. “Knowing the best time for chip seal treatment application supports our goals for better quality and longer-lasting pavement.” This project is led by Raquel Moraes and Adriana Vargas-Nordcbeck with Auburn University and Ulring Joel with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gzBMyKdC

MnDOT is launching a new research project to detect bat species in culverts and bridges. The project will sample and collect bat guano on test sites to help develop protocols for identifying bat presence before maintenance starts. “This research will help streamline Endangered Species Act project reviews and avoid costly avoidance requirements such as seasonal work restrictions,” said Christopher Smith, protected species program coordinator, MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship. This project is led by Ron Moen, Raphael Stern, and Jessica Sieber with the University of Minnesota and Christopher Smith with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gBTHxeyR

MnDOT traffic engineers are increasingly installing J-turns at high-speed multilane roads in an effort to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes at intersections. A study compared J-turn intersections to traditional intersections and discovered that J-turns had fewer rear, angle, and intersection-related crashes. “Given the number of J-turns in Minnesota, these results revealing significant benefits are what we want to see. Also, we hope other states can benefit from these findings,” said Maxwell Moreland, traffic safety crash data engineer, MnDOT Office of Traffic Engineering. This project was led by Maxwell Moreland, Derek Leuer, PE, and Ian Saari with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/g3vs-tQq

A recent CTS webinar highlighted two new projects that are using autonomous technology to make MN's roads better and safer. The first uses robots to conduct pavement density testing, and the second is developing self-driving trucks equipped with mounted attenuators to protect workers in short-term work zones. https://lnkd.in/eS9cfWfA #autonomoustechnology #pavement #workzonesafety

On June 4, representatives from CTS and MnDOT Library met to celebrate 30 years of partnership! 🎊 CTS and MnDOT collaborate on the Minnesota Transportation Libraries program. The effort aims to make the world's transportation-related resources readily accessible throughout Minnesota, including providing support to the Minnesota Local Road Research Board. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gvUUg6pq

To identify factors that influence driver yielding rates to pedestrians, real-world observational data was collected at 18 intersections in the Twin Cities and Northfield. The study found that: 🛑 Speeds over 25mph correlated to decreased yielding rates 🚶♂️ Crossing signs were the most influential site feature 🏬 Areas with restaurants and parking lots correlated to higher yielding rates “These results confirmed that there are steps we can take to increase the likelihood that drivers will yield to pedestrians – a measure we use as a proxy for safety. The most effective interventions likely involve a combination of factors.” – Hannah Pritchard, Principal Pedestrian and Bicycle Engineer, MnDOT Office of Transit and Active Transportation. By understanding site and event-specific factors at intersections, transportation agencies can use the data to guide intersection and road designs to increase driver yielding rate. This project was led by Raphael Stern with the University of Minnesota and Hannah Pritchard, PE, PTOE with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://lnkd.in/gjbpj4Pq

🎉 Congratulations to all of the 2024 recipients of the Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota Awards. On Monday, Jim Foldesi, Public Works Director, St. Louis County, MN and former Minnesota Local Road Research Board Chair was awarded the Richard P. Braun Distinguished Service Award. Gloria Jeff, Livability Director at the Minnesota Department of Transportation was awarded the Ray L. Lappegaard Distinguished Service Award. Congrats on their achievements and more to come!

An LRRB-funded research team simulated combining autonomous vehicles with public transit to help people reach their destinations on suburban and rural areas, where the distance from transit to their final destination can be lengthy or involve unsafe walking conditions. The simulation found that larger fleet services resulted in more efficient delivery services. “Effective public transit is challenging in areas of car-oriented land use and development. But with further testing and support, an autonomous mobility-on-demand system could be one solution,” said Chris Belden, planning and grants director, Duluth Transit Authority. This project was led by Alireza Khani with the University of Minnesota and Christopher Belden, AICP with the Duluth Transit Authority. https://lnkd.in/dvGTqVxE

Results from over two decades of monitoring pavement test sections found: 👷♂️ A larger gradation aggregate base showed superior performance over the pavement life cycle when compared with the standard aggregate base. 🚧 Sections constructed without transverse joints to allow natural thermal cracking outperformed sections with sawn and sealed joints. “This project concluded more than 20 years of monitoring the long-term performance of different aggregate base types. More in-depth evaluations in this phase validated ling-term data, pointing to the highest-performing pavement options,” said Kyle Hoegh, research engineer, MnDOT Office of Materials and Road Research. This project was led by Kyle Hoegh and Shongtao Dai with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Kaye Bieniek with Olmsted County Minnesota. https://lnkd.in/dVyceu82

Effective reporting of local road closures can help drivers reach their destinations sooner. However, inconsistencies in reports and ineffective dissemination of information to navigation apps makes it difficult to properly inform drivers. A Local Road Research project explored ways to best inform drivers of road closures using third-party navigation apps. “This research provides guidance for integrating local road closure information into commercial navigation apps and investigates possible collaborations with the goal of better serving the traveling public,” Perry Clark, asset manager, Carver County Public Works. This project was led by Dean Deeter with Athey Creek Consultants and Perry Clark with Carver County Public Works. https://lnkd.in/gafiqPBJ