Research News

Study Reveals Public Misperceptions About Local Transportation Issues

Aging roads and bridges, increased traffic and persistently constrained revenues put local road systems in peril, but the public is largely unaware of the pressures facing their communities, a Minnesota Local Road Research Board study has found. Read more.
(Posted 7/13/2014)

More news

New Website Engages Public on Transportation Investments

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has launched a new  website called “Get Connected” to answer Minnesotans’ most basic questions about how the state invests its transportation dollars.
(Posted 7/16/2014)

MnPass: Two Systems, Both Work

I-35W’s MnPASS lane, where vehicles can frequently enter and exit the high-occupancy toll lane, is just as safe as the MnPASS lane on I-394, where motorists only have a few shots to enter the system, a new study finds. Researchers at the Minnesota Traffic Observatory undertook the MnDOT-funded research because of objections to open systems.
(Posted 7/07/2014)

What Those Signs Over the Freeway Are Actually Telling You

Although the verdict on I-94 congestion is still pending, a newly released study has found that the Variable Speed Limit system has not made a measurable impact so far on crashes in an accident-prone stretch of freeway in downtown Minneapolis. Read more on our Crossroads blog.
(Posted 7/02/2014)

Rumble Strips vs. Mumble Strips: Noise Comparison (VIDEO)

Minnesota counties are struggling to maintain and rehabilitate aging road systems. A research project sponsored by the Local Road Research Board will help them identify tools and practices to better manage their transportation systems. Read more on our Crossroads blog.
(Posted 6/20/2014)

Peer Exchange: Pavement Researchers Face Similar Issues, Financial Pressures

Soaring construction costs and a rapidly aging infrastructure will require states to revolutionize how they maintain their roadways — but without each other’s help, they won’t be successful. Learn more about how they plan to partner together.
(Posted 06/20/2014)

Back to gravel? As dollars shrink, counties look for solutions

Minnesota counties are struggling to maintain and rehabilitate aging road systems with fewer and fewer dollars. A research project sponsored by the Local Road Research Board will help them identify tools and practices to better manage their transportation systems. Read more on our Crossroads blog.
(Posted 06/10/2014)

What's the life of a sign?

A test deck at MnDOT's MnROAD facility is measuring the life cycle of signs for retroreflectivity and color fade. Read more and watch the video.
(Posted 06/03/2014)

Optimizing traffic counters could net big savings for MnDOT

Researchers are studying how to optimize traffic counting collection methods to improve the quality of data while reducing costs. Read more.
(Posted 5/14/2014)