With increasing traffic volumes and greater restrictions on placing road tubes to perform vehicle classification counts, it is necessary to find innovative ways to collect vehicle class data on roadways.
Continue reading New Project: Refining Inductive Loop Signature Technology for Statewide Vehicle Classification Counts
New Project: Autonomous Vehicles – What Should Local Agencies Expect?
Connected Automated Vehicles (CAV) are part of tomorrow’s transportation future happening today. The evolution of vehicle technology is shifting how drivers interact with the infrastructure around them. Local agencies are beginning to respond and anticipate these changes, while CAV manufacturers request to test their vehicles on local roadways further pushing the urgency on local agencies.
Continue reading New Project: Autonomous Vehicles – What Should Local Agencies Expect?
New Project: Climate Change Adaptation of Urban Stormwater Infrastructure
Climate change scenarios have been fairly well-tested and vetted. Moore et al. (2015) found that one of the noteworthy impacts on upper Midwest cities is an increase of storm magnitude of 39% (moderate scenario) to 163% (pessimistic scenario). However, the impact of these scenarios on stormwater infrastructure are not well understood and documented. There are some important financial decisions that need to be made for stormwater infrastructure in the present and near-future, requiring demonstration and discussion of the impacts of climate change on stormwater infrastructure.
Continue reading New Project: Climate Change Adaptation of Urban Stormwater Infrastructure
New Project: Impact of Speed Limit Changes on Urban Streets
Speeding is one of the top 5 factors in crashes in Minnesota. Prioritizing the most effective methods to encourage safe speeds is critical to maximizing effort and funding to reach zero deaths on our roadways.
In 2019, legislation passed to allow Minnesota cities to establish speed limits for city streets under the city’s jurisdiction without conducting an engineering or traffic investigation.
Continue reading New Project: Impact of Speed Limit Changes on Urban Streets
New Project: Driver Comprehension of Flashing Yellow Arrows
Flashing yellow arrow indicators have been deployed at many signalized intersections in recent years to control left-turn movements and improve traffic flow.
When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows waiting motorists to make a left-hand turn after yielding to oncoming traffic.
The Federal Highway Administration considers flashing yellow arrows to be a significant safety improvement over traditional yield-on-green indicators, which are believed to be less intuitive. However, motorist complaints and some high-profile crashes indicate that there is still some level of driver confusion.
Continue reading New Project: Driver Comprehension of Flashing Yellow Arrows
New Project: Benefit/Cost of Applying a Higher Asphalt Film Thickness vs. Doing a Chip Seal at One Year
In Minnesota, reducing the effects of oxidation is a continuous challenge.
In a new study, funded by the Local Road Research Board, researchers will compare the effectiveness of two different methods: applying a surface treatment (typically a fog or chip seal) and increasing the asphalt film thickness during original construction.
Continue reading New Project: Benefit/Cost of Applying a Higher Asphalt Film Thickness vs. Doing a Chip Seal at One Year
New Project: Assessing the Economic Effects of Context Sensitive Main Street Highways in Small Cities
Complete Streets is a transportation policy and design approach that requires streets to be planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation.
Continue reading New Project: Assessing the Economic Effects of Context Sensitive Main Street Highways in Small Cities
Cooperative Agreements Bring Benefits and Risks for Local Governments
This article was originally published in Catalyst, July 2020.
Local government contributions for Minnesota’s roadway system have increased in recent years. This includes local spending on trunk highways—the roads under MnDOT’s jurisdiction—that are part of local transportation systems.
Continue reading Cooperative Agreements Bring Benefits and Risks for Local Governments
Student Project Analyzes Road-Funding Tools for Small Suburban Cities
This article was originally published in Catalyst, July 2020.
The City of Ramsey is wearing down its roads faster than it can fund their maintenance and construction. In light of this, the city is investigating ways to fund road projects sustainably, and it partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) to advance the investigation.
Continue reading Student Project Analyzes Road-Funding Tools for Small Suburban Cities
Transitway Investment Leads to Higher Regional GDP, Job Growth, and Accessibility
This article was originally published in Catalyst, July 2020.
A new study from researchers in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs found that transitway investment adds considerable economic value to metropolitan regions, including the Twin Cities area, and it increases access to the places people need to reach to prepare for, get, and keep a good job.
Continue reading Transitway Investment Leads to Higher Regional GDP, Job Growth, and Accessibility
Crossroads 