About Program Support
What we do
Program Support's primary responsibility is to provide traffic engineering, capacity, and safety analysis for the planning and development of all Metro projects. This includes identifying traffic safety and capacity projects; investigating and responding to all traffic safety concerns or information requests from the public, legislators, media, cities and counties, tort claims, and law suits against MnDOT; perform freeway traffic modeling, conduct speed studies on all roads to determine a safe and reasonable speed limit, review externally submitted documents (permits, layouts, environmental documents, corridor studies, etc.), and assure traffic engineering safety and mobility issues are addressed.
Program Support TSAM Area Contacts (PDF)
Other responsibilities
Before and after studies
Before and after studies evaluate crash occurrence 3 years before and 3 years after a safety project to determine the crash rate reduction and the benefit/cost ratio. This will measure our effectiveness and will guide us in future funding decisions.
- Key contact - Ashley Hansen 651-234-7815
Crash Analysis
Crash data is used in planning, programming, design, and maintenance decisions. Crash data is also used for tort claim investigations, insurance claims, lawsuits, cooperative agreement, HSIP submittals, and to provide information to the media and the general public.
- Key contact - Eric Lauer-Hunt 651-234-7875
Detailed crash analysis information:
- Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) Safety - Provides traffic safety and crash data resources and publications.
- Office of Traffic Safety - Provides yearly reports that summarize a variety of information related to crashes.
Freeway Analysis
Freeway Analysis' primary responsibilities include applying state of the practice solutions, research, and performance measures to freeway mobility and safety problems. This includes reviewing layouts, interstate access modification requests and traffic reports, and developing low-cost high benefit solutions to congested and crash prone areas on the Twin Cities freeways.
- Key contact - Kevin Sommers 651-234-7844
Freeway/Arterial Modeling
Freeway Modeling provides services for evaluation of interchange and mainline design alternatives, reviews Interstate Access Requests statewide, assesses freeway modeling packages, provides training to consultants, and reviews traffic studies.
- Key contact - Kevin Sommers 651-234-7844
Detailed freeway/arterial modeling information:
- MnDOT's Modeling Website - This website outlines the Federal and State modeling requirements and provides access to the following materials: Advanced CORSIM Manual, Data Extraction Cookbook, All Detector Report, Modeling Workshop, Sample Modeling Project, and a list of other modeling resource materials.
- FHWA Traffic Analysis Tools - The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) website houses a variety of software based analytical procedures and methodologies that support different aspects of traffic and transportation analyses.
- Traffic Software Integrated System (TSIS) - Defines the CORSIM Study.
- Handbook for Engineering and Operational Analysis (EAOA) and Interstate Access Requests (PDF) - The MnDOT highway project development process for Interstate Access requests (IAR).
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
This program investigates crash problem locations and determines appropriate remedial measures, develops concept plans, determines cost estimates, and program projects for construction. HSIP evaluates crash data using various prioritized lists to determine safety problems.
- Key contact - Kaare Festvog 651-440-2855
Detailed Highway Safety Improvement Program information:
- Highway Safety Improvement Program - Metro Criteria 2023 (PDF) - This document explains the requirements and gives guidance for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to applicants desiring to obtain federal funds under the Federal MAP-21 legislation. Document includes, introduction, qualifying criteria, prioritization criteria, required material and special instructions, MnDOT contacts, HSIP timeline flowchart, narrow shoulder paving guidelines, HSIP application form, and project information form.
- Metro Council CMF List (All Severity and Property Damage Only Crashes) (PDF) - This list identifies preferred CMFs that should be used when evaluating a project’s safety benefits.
- Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) HSIP - Provides resources and reference material for the HSIP/Safety Program.
Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) reports
The purpose of an Intersection Control Evaluation is to determine the optimum traffic control for an intersection based on an objective analysis.
- Key Contact - Almin Ramic 612-518-2084
Detailed Intersection Control Evaluation information:
- Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) Manual (PDF) - Provides guidelines to objectively analyze and make recommendations for completing an Intersection Control Evaluation.
- Signal Design Manual (PDF) - The purpose of this manual is to present the fundamental concepts and standard practices related to the design of traffic signals systems within the State of Minnesota. This manual is structured to parallel the progression of decisions, activities, and functions related to the design of traffic signal systems.
- Construction Planning and Design Tools - Various design tools for standardizing the plan design and construction process for signals, lighting, signing, markings, work zone control, and other traffic related aspects of roadway design and operation.
- Roundabout Information - Driving tips, animations, benefits, and additional information.
Speed Zoning
Conducts engineering and traffic investigations to determine reasonable and safe speed limits for all roads (state, county, city, and township) within the eight county Metro District; and recommends speed limits for authorization by the State Traffic Engineer.
- Key contact - Kaare Festvog 651-440-2855
Detailed speed zoning information:
- Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) Speed Limits - Provides speed limit resources and publications.
- Minnesota Speed Monitoring Program - Analysis and reporting of roadway speeds on five roadway types throughout Minnesota.
Tort Claims
Deals with civil suits (not criminal) where someone claims damage or injury caused willfully or by our negligence in performing or not performing our duty/work.
- Key Contact - Merlin Kent 651-234-7825
- Key Contact - Almin Ramic 612-518-2084
The criteria for a claim are divided into two definitions:
- Self-Insured - The Department of Administration contracts with a private company to manage all operational claims. Operational claims involve any moving MnDOT vehicle or mobile operation (including snowplows, paint crews, lawnmowers, etc.) that results in property damage.
- Attorney General - The Attorney General Office handles all lawsuits and non-operational claims. Non-operational claims involve property damage caused by potholes, debris, contractors, construction zones, etc.
Detailed tort claims information:
- Attorney General Office
- Tort Claims - How to submit a tort claim.