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 MinnesotaCurrently, federal bridge performance measures in the United States and measures most commonly used by state transportation agencies for bridge management are based on National Bridge Inventory (NBI) General Condition Ratings that reflect bridge component conditions (deck, superstructure and substructure).
MnDOT also collects bridge element data that provides a more granular, objective and quantitative assessment of condition, and would like to have performance measures and targets based on the bridge element data that guides a data-driven methodology to select cost-effective treatments.
Continue reading New Project: Develop Element Level Bridge Performance Measures and TargetsSeasonal 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 RoadsMnDOT has approved products for blanket and hydromulches. There are many versions of each type of temporary erosion prevention materials, that vary in thickness, composition, and cost.
The two most common stabilization methods to control erosion and establish vegetation used by MnDOT are Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (HECP) and Rolled Erosion Prevention Products (REPP). Specifying the best fitting product for the situation keeps MnDOT in compliance with stormwater permits and is more cost effective.
Continue reading New Project: Development of Erosion Control Product Longevity Test MethodologyRoad 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 BusinessesMnDOT and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board have funded 21 new research projects and are seeking Technical Advisory Panel members to help guide the research. This year’s RFP received over 83 proposals from qualified universities across the country. To receive updates on any of the funded projects, select “subscribe” on the project webpage.
Continue reading MnDOT and the Local Road Research Board Award Funding to New Research
Crossroads 