CAV in MN

Variable Pedestrian Clearance Interval (VPCI)

The Variable Pedestrian Clearance Interval (VPCI) Project consisted of deploying, testing, and analyzing the results of installing video at an intersection to extend the Flashing Don't Walk (FDW) interval as needed when pedestrians were still located within the crosswalk. Project completion date: May 2018

MnDOT Autonomous Bus Pilot

The MnDOT Autonomous Bus Pilot project consisted of deploying a Level 4 shuttle provided by EasyMile on the MnROAD facility. Project completion date: May 2018

Rochester Automated Shuttle Pilot: Med City Mover

The Rochester Automated Shuttle Pilot was a research project that included the 12-month demonstration (August 2021 - August 2022) of two highly automated and electric vehicles to over 3,000 passengers along a fixed route downtown in the City of Rochester. Project completion date: February 2023

White Bear Lake Automated Shuttle Pilot: Bear Tracks

The Bear Tracks Automated Shuttle Pilot was a research project that included the 12-month operation (August 2022-July 2023) of a Level 3 Automated Vehicle (AV) Shuttle along a 1.5-mile-long route in the city of White Bear Lake. Project completion date: March 2024

Passive Pedestrian Detection Analysis

The Passive Pedestrian Detection Analysis project reviewed a variety of commercially available passive detection systems. Project completion date: January 2023

Grand Rapids Automated Shuttle Pilot: goMARTI

The goMARTI self-driving shuttle pilot was a research project in Grand Rapids, Minnesota that included the 27-month on demand, point-to-point deployment (October 2022 – December 2024) of five highly automated vehicles, carrying over 18,000 passengers. Project completion date: December 2024

Active Transportation and Traveler Information

The Active Transportation and Traveler Information project explored how MnDOT’s 511 system can be enhanced to better serve walking and biking modes in addition to motor vehicles. It emphasizes the importance of considering active transportation users as equal participants in multimodal travel planning and operations. Project completion date: June 2025

Real-Time Integration of Arrow Board Messages into Traveler Information Systems

The pilot project involved 20 arrow boards equipped with a status monitoring unit to test displaying real-time information to travelers related to stationary and mobile lane closures. Project completion date: March 2019

MnDOT Traffic Camera Maximizer

This project involved the implementation of a Traffic Camera Maximizer (TCM). The Traffic Camera Maximizer was proposed to broaden the reach of MnDOT assets to improve situational awareness of driving conditions across the state. Project completion date: December 2019

Centralized SPaT and MAP Data Sharing

The project assessed MnDOT’s ability to share signal phasing and timing (SPaT) data and intersection geometry (MAP) data to travelers and third-party systems via a centralized process. Project completion date: November 2020

Connected Corridor

The Connected Corridor was a foundational Connected Vehicle (CV) project along TH-55 that included planning, design, deployment, and operation of CV technologies to create a better understanding of what is required for planning and preparing for emerging transportation technologies. Project completion date: August 2020

Automated Waze Imports

The project involved importing all alert types from Waze, determining which events should be documented based on reliability and confidence scores, adding expected delays to 511 events, determining which jams should be eligible for import into 511, and adding directional information to displayed jams. Project completion date: June 2021

Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx): CARS eXchange

The Condition Acquisition and Reporting System (CARS) eXchange project was put in place to support the FHWA’s goal of increasing safety for the traveling public by sharing real-time work zone information between the public and private sectors, under an FHWA grant. Project completion date: July 2022

Assessment of Pedestrian Safety and Driver Behavior Near AVs

Driverless vehicles provide the transportation industry with fiscal and environmental benefits, but concerns remain regarding the interaction between driverless vehicles and drivers of manual vehicles. In Rochester, Minnesota, interactions between a driverless shuttle and other vehicles were observed in a pedestrian-heavy area of the city. Project completion date: February 2024

Connected Vehicle Traveler Alert System

The Connected Vehicle Traveler Alert System project was implemented to increase traveler awareness and subsequently increase safety of the traveling public by notifying them of upcoming maintenance vehicles or snowplows that may not have been in the line of sight. Project Completion Date: December 2023

Cost/Benefit Analysis of Fuel-Efficient Speed Control using SPaT Data

MnDOT's Connected Corridor project in 2020 contributed to progress in the development and deployment of technology for vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. Using signal phasing and timing (SPaT) data from signalized intersections to control driving speed, this project completed a cost benefit analysis for use of SPaT data in connected vehicles (CVs) and its effect on fuel efficiency. Project completion date: March 2023

Dynamic Flashing Yellow Arrow Phase Mode Selection

This project focused on utilizing high-resolution signal data, crash data, and volume data to analyze safety impacts associated with the three left-turn phasing modes that flashing yellow arrows could operate in and determine when the various modes should operate. Project completion date: August 2023

Health Creek Truck Parking

Truck drivers often face challenges finding parking for legally required breaks, creating safety concerns for both drivers and the public. MnDOT tested a detection system at the Heath Creek Rest Area (northbound, M.P. 68.1) to monitor the availability of its 19 truck parking spaces and share real-time data via changeable message signs. Project completion date: June 2025

511Data Snapshot

MnDOT tested how well third-party apps like Google Maps and Waze show real-time road info from its 511 system. To do this safely and without affecting drivers, the team ran a one-day test at the MnROAD research site. Project completion date: March 2024

2025 Statewide CAV Familiarity and Perception Survey.

In 2020, MnDOT completed a statewide baseline survey to better understand Minnesotan’s knowledge and sentiments related to connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology. The 2025 Statewide Survey project replicated the 2020 effort in order to evaluate where current sentiments are and see how they have changed over time. The project also worked to employ a more equitable engagement approach that focused on targeting priority populations to achieve participation that reflects our communities, including conducting a digital discussion board. Project completion date: January 2026

Community Driven CAV

The Community Driven CAV project piloted a process to start with the community to identify transportation challenges and then work together to identify potential CAV solutions to those challenges. This work resulted in potential demonstration concepts for the Creative Enterprise Zone and a Community-Driven Planning Framework, which can be used by others looking to do community led planning. Project completion date: June 2024

Fiber Optic Feasibility and Partnership Study

The Fiber Optic Feasibility and Partnership Study aimed to develop a strategic plan for future fiber connectivity by utilizing public-private partnerships. Project completion date: February 2022

Drive MN

Automated vehicles (AVs) rely heavily on roadway infrastructure to function. This project used technology-equipped research vehicles to drive over 1,000 miles of Minnesota roadways to gain a better understanding of potential infrastructure issues that would inhibit the operations of AVs. Project completion date: January 2023

Mobile Advertisements for Work Zones

MnDOT tested a new way to share construction updates by using digital ads that appear after drivers pass through specific areas. These ads, shown on popular websites and social media, helped reach commuters and local residents—with early warnings about upcoming road work, without interrupting anyone while driving. Project completion date: Fall 2024

Automated Truck Mounted Attenuator

The automated truck mounted attenuator project sought to evaluate and deploy automation technology in support of MnDOT maintenance work zones. The main project goal was to find a solution to improve worker safety by removing the human from the host truck, a position with high exposure to being hit by the traveling public. Project completion date: March 2025

Lane Boundary Guidance System for Snowplow Operations

A new lane boundary guidance system will make plowing easier, safer and more efficient. Researchers developed the system using GPS and navigation technology to locate a truck’s position in the lane and display that information in the truck’s cab. Forward-facing radar can also alert drivers to upcoming obstacles. Project completion date: August 2023

Machine Vision for Asset Management

This project investigated the use of evolving machine vision technologies to improve asset management procedures. The team explored currently available commercial products and open-source academic algorithms and approaches, with a focus on approaches that allow the use of imagery that MnDOT already collects—such as the pavement management VideoLog and snowplow dash cameras. Project completion date: June 2024