You're invited: pilot webinar on road departure crashes and safety countermeasures
By: Girma Feyissa, State Aid Traffic Safety Engineer
MnDOT State Aid and the Office of Traffic Engineering are excited to announce the launch of a new webinar focused on road departure crashes and safety countermeasures. The webinar will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
This event is the first in a planned series of targeted webinars designed to support professionals involved in the design, operation, and maintenance of roadways. The initiative responds directly to feedback from last year’s Local Roads Traffic Safety Workshops, where participants expressed strong interest in ongoing learning opportunities—particularly on common roadway safety challenges.
To meet this demand, MnDOT is introducing a more focused and flexible webinar format, allowing agencies to engage with timely safety content from any location.
Why focus on road departure?
Road departure crashes—where a vehicle crosses an edge line, centerline, or otherwise leaves their travel lane—remain a leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries on Minnesota roads. These incidents often occur on rural two-lane roads, which make up a large portion of our local road network.
This webinar will highlight proven infrastructure-based countermeasures that reduce the likelihood and severity of road departure crashes and debunk some of the common myths around these countermeasures. From rumble strips and enhanced signage to clear zones and high-friction surface treatments, attendees will learn what’s working across Minnesota and beyond.
Who should attend
This event is designed specifically for professionals who influence traffic safety decisions on local roads, including:
- County and city engineers and planners
- MnDOT district staff
- Traffic safety and public works personnel
- Transportation consultants
- Anyone working on local road infrastructure or safety initiatives
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning to engage with traffic safety strategy, this webinar offers valuable insights and tools that can support your work.
What to expect
Participants will gain:
- A better understanding of road departure crash trends and contributing factors
- Practical, cost-effective countermeasures that can be applied locally
- Real-world project examples from Minnesota implemented by local transportation agencies
- Contacts and resources to help plan and implement safety improvements
The webinar will also include a live Q&A session, giving attendees the chance to ask questions and share ideas with subject matter experts.
Registration and questions
To secure your spot, simply fill out this form and a calendar invite will be sent to you. A Microsoft Teams link will be included for easy access on the day of the event.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Girma Feyissa, State Aid Traffic Safety Engineer, at girma.feyissa@state.mn.us.
Let’s work together to reduce crashes, prevent fatalities, and make our roads safer for all who use them!