Research News
New Project: Phase 3 of Drone Bridge Inspection Research Focuses on Confined Spaces
“Phase 3 will allow us to utilize a new drone specific to confined space inspections,” said Wells, MnDOT maintenance bridge engineer. “This new drone is meant to reach places the prior drones could not, which will supplement our efforts nicely. Also, Phase 3 will include more bridge inspections to get a more comprehensive feel for cost and time savings.” (Posted 8/24/2017)
MnDOT Improves on Award-Winning Use of Drones for Bridge Inspection
Phase 1 of this research project demonstrated that drones can reduce safety risks and inconvenience to bridge inspectors and the traveling public. Phase 2 shows that new drones, designed with vertical and horizontal camera and sensor capabilities for structure inspections, give bridge inspectors safe access to under-deck areas that were previously difficult or impossible to reach. The new drones cost even less than the unit tested in Phase 1. (Posted 8/24/2017)
Building More Accurate Traffic Modeling for Twin Cities Construction Projects
Researchers interviewed MnDOT and vendor stakeholders to identify needs for a mesoscopic-scale dynamic traffic assignment model for the Twin Cities. They also evaluated the capabilities of currently available simulation software packages to meet these needs. (Posted 8/21/2017)
New Project: Creating a Tool to Estimate Bridge Construction Time and Costs
The research project, titled “Bridge Construction Time and Costs,”will help the State of Minnesota’s Bridge Office develop a guidance document and a tool for bridge construction time estimation to be used by MnDOT District project managers and construction staff. The tool will provide a range of production rates based on specific design criteria, being more concise based on the level of information available and will aid in evaluating the potential benefit for accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques. (Posted 8/10/2017)
Using SMART-Signal Data to Predict Red Light Running at Intersections
This project developed a methodology using traffic data collected by the SMART-Signal system to identify intersections prone to red light running and, therefore, serious crashes. This methodology could help MnDOT prioritize intersections for safety improvements. (Posted 8/9/2017)
AVL Technology Enables Smarter, More Efficient Mowing Operations
A pilot project was begun to study the use of AVL technology in mowing operations. Potential benefits include improved mowing efficiency, improved reporting and ease of supervision, reduced paperwork and reduced spread of noxious weeds. (Posted 8/7/2017)
Choosing Effective Speed Reduction Strategies for Roundabouts
Using survey results and prior research, this project developed a new resource to enable Minnesota local road engineers to select appropriate speed reduction measures for roundabouts. Further research is needed to determine the relative effectiveness of different measures alone and in combination. (Posted 8/2/2017)
Self-Propelled Auto-Flagger Keeps Workers Out of Traffic
Working with a Minnesota manufacturer, researchers developed a moving automated flagger assistance device (AFAD) that signals traffic at work zones. The AFAD is operated remotely by a worker who can stand off the roadway out of traffic. (Posted 7/26/2017)
New Manual Helps Agencies Count Bike, Pedestrian Traffic
As part of an ongoing effort to institutionalize bicycle and pedestrian counting in Minnesota, MnDOT has published a new manual designed to help city, county, state, and other transportation practitioners in their counting efforts. (Posted 6/30/2017)
Gauging safety of heavy vehicles on older concrete bridges
A new study evaluates whether current guidelines regarding shear forces may be overly conservative for older concrete bridges that are in good condition. (Posted 6/2/2017)
Seven Pilot Projects to Change Transportation Practice in Minnesota
Roadside fencing that protects endangered turtles, a toolkit for identifying potentially acid-producing rock and a device that could save MnDOT $200 million a year in pavement damage are just a few of the advancements that MnDOT hopes to make in the near future, thanks to seven recently funded research implementation projects. (Posted 5/31/ 2017)
Reducing speeds to improve safety for work-zone flaggers
University of Minnesota researchers have identified and tested new work-zone warning elements to more effectively capture and sustain driver attention. The project was funded by MnDOT and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board. (Posted 5/31/2017)
New work-zone warning app featured on KARE 11
A new app that sends warning messages to drivers as they approach work zones was featured on KARE 11 News on Thursday. The app was developed by U of M researchers in a project sponsored by MnDOT. (Posted 6/26/2017)
NRRA Pavement Conference Set for May 24
Formerly known as TERRA, the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) will continue the tradition of presenting sessions about current practices that implement new pavement research and technology with its Pavement Conference at the University of Minnesota's Continuing Education and Conference Center on May 24. (Visit the Pavement Conference website) (Posted 4/24/2017)
A Look at Local Bridge Removal Practices and Policies
To identify possible changes to how redundant and low-use bridges are identified and removed in Minnesota, the Local Road Research Board conducted a transportation research synthesis, “Local Bridge Removal Policies and Programs,” that explores how other states make bridge removal decisions. (Posted 4/19/ 2017)
I-35W 'Smart Bridge' Test Site Uses Vibration Data to Detect Bridge Defects
By analyzing vibration data from the I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge, MnDOT is working to develop monitoring systems that could detect structural defects early on and ultimately allow engineers to improve bridge designs. (Read the full blog post) (Posted 3/19/2017)