Reprinted from Catalyst, January 23, 2024
Retroreflective pavement markings such as bike lane indicators, crosswalks, and lane lines are designed to increase safety. However, the same retroreflective properties that add nighttime visibility can also make them slippery for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists—especially in wet or icy conditions.
Continue reading Skid-resistant pavement markings could help stop slipsPermissive left turns, where a driver does not have a green arrow and must wait for a gap in oncoming traffic before turning, can be indicated by different traffic signal configurations. Flashing yellow arrows are becoming a preferred signal type in Minnesota and across the nation. New research provides traffic engineers with confidence that drivers understand the meaning of the signal, even without an accompanying Left Turn Yield sign.
Continue reading Drivers Correctly Interpret Flashing Yellow Arrows for Left TurnsIncreased regulation and rising levels of precipitation have made stormwater management a more routine and time-consuming issue than in previous decades. A new resource provides guidance and best practices that will help city and county engineers, local officials and private property owners navigate the complex, often public-facing issues related to recurring drainage problems and stormwater management.
Continue reading Drainage 101: Understanding and Managing Drainage IssuesA recent legislative change has given Minnesota cities greater authority to set lower speed limits on streets in their jurisdiction—a decision that could potentially have positive impacts on public safety, especially pedestrian and bicycle traffic. A recent analysis of speed-setting practices and the effectiveness of speed limit changes resulted in a decision-making process for changing speed limits and alternative strategies to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Continue reading Reevaluating City Speed Limits with Public Safety in MindOriginally published in Catalyst, January 16, 2024
The COVID-19 pandemic took a major toll on public transit and shared transportation services in Minnesota, causing ridership and revenues to plummet. And it wasn’t just an urban problem: Smaller rural agencies and services saw sharp declines, too.
Continue reading Safety measures, service improvements key to increasing post-pandemic transit use in Greater MinnesotaSeasonal and daily temperature variations, freeze-thaw cycles and other environmental factors lead to pavement distress on low-volume rural roads. Modifying asphalt mixtures could improve pavement resistance to these environmentally driven distresses. A comparison of the mechanical properties and performances of selected asphalt mixtures identified a mixture and method that hold considerable promise for improving performance and longevity on low-volume roads.
Continue reading Adapting Asphalt Mixtures for Tougher Rural RoadsRoad projects can increase access to surrounding businesses but may also negatively impact some establishments. New analyses and tools will help MnDOT when planning and implementing highway improvement projects to target assistance to local stores, restaurants and other firms to help mitigate adverse effects from road construction.
Continue reading Impacts of Highway Improvements on Adjacent BusinessesSnowplows use substantial amounts of fuel to keep Minnesota’s winter roads safe and accessible. Reducing the fuel consumed by MnDOT’s snowplows will help the agency meet its sustainability goals and lower operating costs. In a recent study, data collected from onboard vehicle technology showed the impacts of idling and snowfall on fuel efficiency to inform the management of the agency’s snowplow fleet.
Continue reading Advanced Data Analytics Inform Reduction of Snowplow Fuel UseAssessing the return on investment in transportation research is crucial to ensuring program goals are met, knowledge and technology are shared broadly, and future investigations are prioritized. A recent effort leveraged existing MnDOT and LRRB tools and processes to evaluate and communicate the value of innovation and research. A new benefit monitoring and communication framework, which can be tailored to individual projects, allows agencies to reassess a project and its benefits throughout the research life cycle.
Continue reading Evaluating and Communicating the Benefits of Transportation ResearchSystemic inequities exist in the transportation network as decisions and services have traditionally been based on a limited perspective of community needs. Understanding the range of public uses and preferences in a multicultural society to advance an equitable transportation system requires an exploration of the lived experiences of marginalized communities. This project identified common themes and unique needs of 10 distinct Minnesota communities to support MnDOT in advancing equity.
Continue reading Understanding the Transportation Experience of Underserved Communities
