News Release

ST. PAUL, Minn.— Mn/DOT will begin testing a new system next week that shows travel times on freeway changeable message signs (CMS) during the rush hour.

This new service will provide drivers the travel time in minutes from the sign location to a significant point on the road ahead. That point might be the intersection with another highway, a bridge, or a terrain feature such as a river. It will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 21, and will run from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Hwy 77 only, Monday through Friday.

“It gives the traveling public the chance to make a choice about their route of travel,” said Nick Thompson, manager of operations at Mn/DOT’s Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC). “If the road ahead is very congested, then a driver can decide to take a different route that might not be as busy.”

The first CMS to provide this information is on northbound Hwy 77 in Apple Valley, prior to the roadway’s intersection with I-35E. It will give travel times to the Minnesota River and to westbound Hwy 62 (Crosstown) during the morning rush hour only.

The system uses traffic detection devices, known as loop detectors, that are installed throughout the metro highway system. The loop detectors keep track of how many cars are on the roadway and how quickly they are moving.

The travel time system bases the displayed time on the posted speed limit. The computerized system takes readings from the loop detectors along designated routes and updates the time every 30 seconds.

Other information regarding road conditions, such as crashes, stalls or other problems, will pre-empt the the travel time message until the condition clears, Thompson said.

“This kind of service has proven popular in other cities, such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Atlanta”, he added. “Commuters really want to know how long it will take them to reach their destinations,” Thompson said.

Thompson said the tests will last 30 days. There are more than 30 signs on the metro highway system that could provide this information. Based on the success of the test, Thompson said the travel time service may be expanded in the coming year and become another tool to help manage congestion.

Thompson added that Mn/DOT is also testing a method of providing travel time along I-94 in Minneapolis and St. Paul using portable signs. He said this system also uses the loop detector systems to predict travel times. But at this time, it is not tied into the RTMC, and cannot factor in crashes and incidents. Tests on this system have been going on for about two weeks.

Mn/DOT is interested in motorist feedback about the Travel Time Test on Highway 77 as well as on I-94. Motorists are encouraged to submit their comments to rtmc@dot.state.mn.us

Traveler information, including incident reports, is available by calling 511 or logging on to www.511mn.org. Know the Road. Dial up or log on.

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