More than 60% of the world’s turtle species are endangered, including Blanding’s and wood turtles, which are native to Minnesota and may be found in the state’s wetlands, ponds, lakes and streams. To protect these vulnerable populations and their habitats, a cost-effective tool developed in this study will efficiently allow for the early detection of these turtles at transportation project sites.
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Increasing School Bus Stop-Arm Compliance
A significant number of school bus stop-arm violations occur every day throughout the country. In Minnesota, violation and citation data suggests these incidents are grossly underreported and underenforced due to a time-consuming reporting and enforcement process. This project examined current processes and recommended improvements to encourage higher rates of reporting and enforcement.
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Testing Recycled Plastics in Asphalt and Concrete Pavement Mixes
Addressing the increasing need for pavement materials coincides with an increasing supply of plastic waste. Incorporating recycled plastic into aggregate for transportation infrastructure is of growing interest. Testing plastic waste material in both asphalt and concrete pavement mixtures revealed promising results and the need to explore long-term performance and durability.
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Evaluating the Friction of Pavement Markings and Colored Pavement
Pavement markings make travel safer for all road users. However, the material used for retroreflectivity can be slicker than the surrounding pavement. To maximize the safety of bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, MnDOT and local agencies explored the friction values of different marking materials. Project results produced valuable information on relative friction between pavement and marking materials and, importantly, identified effective testing tools to evaluate and compare products.
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Evaluation of Corrugated Pipes Manufactured with Recycled Materials
MnDOT currently requires corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes to be made with 100% virgin materials. However, recent changes to federal standards allow for the use of corrugated HDPE pipes manufactured with more sustainable postconsumer and postindustrial recycled content. This project examined and compared the performance of both types of corrugated pipes to determine the suitability of using HDPE pipes manufactured with recycled materials in Minnesota.
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Strategies for Addressing Deteriorated Concrete Roads
Treating early deterioration in concrete pavement can extend a road’s service life and defer costly replacement. An assessment of different strategies years later demonstrated that over time, asphalt overlays made the roadways smoother for travelers.
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Impacts of Automated Vehicle Feature Integration
Automated vehicle (AV) features such as adaptive cruise control could significantly increase driver safety and mobility. But in some circumstances, these features can alter vehicle movement and spacing, and interfere with traffic flow. This project analyzed the integration of varying levels of AVs with human-driven vehicles (HVs) and the impact on ramp meter operations to measure the effects and identify potential solutions and modifications.
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Incorporating Sustainability into the Procurement Process
The production and use of construction materials for transportation projects have varying impacts on the environment based on factors such as production process, transportation and material inputs. To mitigate negative outcomes, MnDOT sought to incorporate environmental impacts into the procurement process for concrete mixtures and concrete pavement. This project provided a framework for considering environmental impacts and standardizing a reporting system to encourage the use of low-carbon construction materials in infrastructure projects.
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Utilizing Recycled Tires to Treat Stormwater
Repurposing old tires as tire-derived aggregate (TDA) is a stormwater management practice that could retain phosphate in underground treatment systems and prevent it from reaching the soil, surface waters and groundwater. However, chemicals from the TDA may leach into the soil and water sources. This project identifies the environmental impacts and cost-effectiveness of deploying TDA to manage stormwater in Minnesota cities and counties.
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Enhancing Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists at Roundabouts
Compared to traditional intersections, roundabouts have been proven to decrease serious crashes. However, because drivers yield rather than stop upon entering roundabouts and at crosswalks, public concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety remain. Research and field evaluations into driver yielding and speed behaviors generated insights to guide local transportation agencies and MnDOT to further enhance pedestrian safety at roundabouts.
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Crossroads 