Newsletter - Research & Innovation

Transportation Research & Innovation newsletter

Transportation Research Update is a monthly email newsletter sharing MnDOT’s new and completed research projects.

MnDOT Library Director Sheila Hatchell Receives Professional Achievement Award
High Value Research Awards
Minnesota Association of Government Communicators Northern Lights Awards
Clear Roads Winter Maintenance Research Receives Transportation Pooled Fund Excellence Award
Research Partnership Award Honors Pedestrian Safety Studies

May 2024
Understanding factors that influence driver yielding to pedestrians; evaluation of: pedestrians and bicyclists at rectangular rapid flashing beacons and pedestrian hybrid beacons, traffic safety for heavy commercial vehicles at roundabouts, traffic safety benefits of j-turns in Minnesota; enhancing public transit with autonomous mobility service to cover the “last mile”; finding high-performing aggregate bases for long-lasting pavement; solutions to mitigate dowel/tie-bar propagated cracking; development of mix designs and matrix of materials for MnROAD low carbon concrete test site; paying for roads; administrative rules and structures of speed safety camera systems
April 2024
Traffic safety of lane constrictor intersections, J-turns, and retroreflective signal backplates; using GPS to track snowplows, alerting the public about local road closures, measuring liveability
February 2024
The benefits of transportation research, smart signs for work zones, flashing yellow arrows for left turns, making tougher rural roads, new guidebook on ride quality of asphalt pavements
January 2024
Transportation equity, evaluation of speed limit changes, managing drainage issues, making sustainable centerline joints

November 2023
Increasing support for innovative traffic solutions, improving driver yielding to pedestrians at intersections, impact of speed limit changes on driving speeds, impacts of highway improvements on adjacent businesses
September 2023
Optimizing charging infrastructure for electric trucks, strengthening communities with innovative right of way projects, evaluating new slurry and plow equipment
August 2023
Reducing snowplow fuel consumption, enhancing managed lane equity analysis, urban stormwater infrastructure for climate change, influence of autonomous vehicles on Minnesota roads, assessing stormwater ponds for phosphorus retention
June 2023
Improving queue warning system, GFRP-reinforced bridge decks, pedestrian safety systems and winter maintenance, evaluating Minnesota turfgrass list
May 2023
Studies on equity and shared mobility in transportation, possible solar partnership with Red Lake Nation
April 2023
Rural transportation issues, signal timing to save fuel, road diets and pavement rehabilitation
March 2023
Pedestrian experience at roundabouts, roadside turfgrass mixtures, placement of cable median barriers

December 2022
Estimating corrosion in concrete bridges, improving pollinator habitats, and economic effects of Complete Streets projects
October 2022
Improving asphalt performance, reality modeling, and road salt alternatives
August 2022
Pandemic impacts on transportation: relieving traffic congestion and the future of WFH
May 2022
New technology and existing equipment improves statewide vehicle classification counting process, assessing culvert designs, more.
February 2022
MnDOT Announces 2022 Research Projects

December 2021
Using solar panels on noise barriers and snow fencing to capture solar energy, effects of COVID-19 on driver safety, bioslope monitoring, more
July 2021
Drones for bridge inspection, designing for bikes, evaluating pavement with ground-penetrating radar, more
April 2021
Future vehicle-to-vehicle data streams, improving winter weather road alerts, test for asphalt-mix quality, effect of rapid transit on nearby roads
March 2021
Assessing bridge barriers, rural pedestrian behavior, stormwater treatment for low-volume roads, local guide for bike facility design, more
January 2021
MnDOT Awards Funding to Innovative Research, academic solicitation process

November 2020
"Sweet streets", stormwater filtration, permeable pavements, hybrid electric utility vehicles for municipal fleets, impacts of teen driver support system, more
September 2020
Pedestrian cross walk treatments, pedestrian-activated crossings, effect of wind on roadside warning sides, whitetopping repair practices, local funding in regional projects
March 2020
Guidance for potential acid-generating materials & the next phase in e-construction
February 2020
Improving pollinator roadside habitat & reusing water at Minnesota truck stations
January - March 2020 (Accelerator)
New projects announced, asphalt and aggregate, cleaning stormwater and wastewater

November 2019
Harnessing renewable energy along Minnesota highways
October - December 2019 (Accelerator)
Solar panels on snow fences and noise walls, improving sight lines at intersections, e‑Design for roads by local agencies
August - September 2019 (Accelerator)
Katie Walker is new director of Research & Innovation, preparing for autonomous vehicles, signal control information, gravel roads
August 2019
The Research Services & Library section consisting of research administration and the state transportation library—is now The Office of Research & Innovation.
April - June 2019 (Accelerator)
A-line a success, protecting rebar from corrosion, turfgrass blends for Minnesota
January - March 2019 (Accelerator)
New projects announced, pavement performance, geogrid, asphalt recycling