As we wrap up our three-part series on the "E3 mindset" - Experimentation, Empathy, and Empowerment - it's my pleasure to share some thoughts on the importance of empowerment and our commitment to fostering an innovative culture here at MnDOT.

Empowerment is all about providing the necessary support and tools to enable each one of you to excel in your roles and contribute to our collective success. Our journey to becoming a more innovative organization hinges on this core principle of empowerment.

When employees feel empowered, they are more engaged, motivated and committed to their work, which ultimately leads to higher productivity, improved performance and better organizational outcomes.

Our MnDOT Innovation Program is dedicated to making this a reality. We are here to assist you in nurturing your innovative ideas, to highlight the great innovations already happening within our department, and to provide you with the resources and training necessary to thrive in an environment of constant improvement.

We are introducing a short form to collect information on both new and existing innovations. Completing this form is a straightforward process that should only take 5-10 minutes of your time.

Once you submit your innovation, you can expect to hear from our Innovation Program. The follow-up might entail a short consultation to map out your next steps, brainstorming sessions to explore funding possibilities, or even connecting you with a colleague who is working towards a similar goal. The aim is to provide you with the support and tools you need to bring your innovations to life.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and enthusiasm for innovation.

Computer Science and Engineering Professor, Shashi Shekhar, has partnered with the Center for Transportation Studies since the 1990s to research transportation topics. He applies spatial, vehicle, and traffic data to identify linear “hot spots” in traffic behavior beyond a single point or intersection—which can be used to reduce emissions and energy use. Shekhar also directs the UMN’s new
AI Climate Institute, leveraging novel AI methods to revolutionize the agriculture and forestry industries, prioritizing climate-smart practices that will sequester carbon and boost their respective economies.

Mechanical Engineering Professor and Director of the Thomas E Murphy Engine Lab, Will Northrop, is a self-proclaimed “gearhead” focused on telematics related to emissions, vehicle performance, and alternative fuels. He takes a multi-disciplinary approach to his work and credits colleagues in Computer Science, like Shekhar and others, with data analytics expertise to help solve real-world problems in transportation. In the recently completed, MnDOT-funded study, “Using Advanced Data Analytics to Reduce Snowplow Fuel Consumption,” he used a tremendous amount of data from MnDOT snow maintenance operations over several winters to learn about granular fuel use during snow events, and developed algorithms to process it.

Shekhar and Northrop agree there is far more data available than we currently use. They reminded me that data collection and algorithms are not new, but our computing capacity has grown as processing speed and storage continues to decrease in cost. This has opened the door for machine learning models to learn from data—sometimes abundant, non-linear, and complex data! This then led to recent significant advances with AI and machine learning including ChatGPT and deep learning. These machine-generated models are not without problems, however. “We can do better than one size fits all, data-based information. AI has not figured this out yet,” says Shekhar.

Northrop says, “Machine learning can sometimes be a black box. Every vehicle manufacturer right now records thousands of parameters on passenger cars and trucks every day.” He says this can be a useful tool but it is very important that all factors are considered in the model when we explain what contributes to the results. For example, speed and emissions can vary among individual drivers, and vehicle types and sizes, but other factors like infrastructure geometry, mode use, and road and weather conditions contribute as well.

Expertise adds value to an abundance of data

We are seeing terminology like “physics informed” and “knowledge guided” machine learning in recent research approaches. Experts like Shekhar and Northrop can apply their knowledge and experience to constrain the machine-generated models. For example, researchers can alter a model to isolate emissions data from an idling bus versus that from traffic queues during a back-up, which could be an important distinction for design. Shekhar calls this step “guardrails and seatbelts”, involving post-processing of data to check errors and fix models, especially when there is high risk with any errors such as in transportation. Safety risks are also addressed in human factors applications and simulations.

The future of machine learning and transportation

While industry has historically been on the leading edge of this technology, the Obama Administration’s Big Data Research and Development Initiative committed $200M in 2012 to federal agencies for research, technology, education and training. This support and public demand continue to bolster and uncover the need for more work in this area from everyone—including public agencies.

Both professors see a wide range of applications for the future of machine learning in transportation:

• Preparing for connected and automated vehicles, including onboard vehicle data connected to infrastructure.
• Planning for electric vehicles, including where to place charging stations, range anxiety, and route selection.
• Improving health and safety related to vehicle emissions, roadways, work zones, and intersections.

Northrop acknowledges the challenges that accompany the use of data, considering privacy, politics, ethics, behavior, and enforcement. “Understanding how these tools work, keeping on top of trends, and having the capability to continue doing research in this area is important,” he said.

FHWA’s AID Program is designed to accelerate the implementation and adoption of innovation in highway transportation. There are 127 AID demonstration projects across the nation. MnDOT’s St. Paul project and its selection process  could serve as a model for road diets elsewhere in the state, demonstrating a low-cost way to improve safety and quality of life.

Governor Tim Walz today announced that three State of Minnesota projects won top honors at the 2023 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) State IT Recognition Awards. Minnesota’s Frontline Worker Pay Program, drone bridge inspections, and a driver and vehicle services’ virtual chatbot were honored from a list of 31 finalists nationwide across 10 categories, ranging from cybersecurity and business-process innovation to digital services and innovation.

“We are so proud to be recognized as a national leader in how we use technology to improve the lives, safety, and experiences of Minnesotans,” said Governor Tim Walz. “We’re committed to building new, creative ways to use technology to deliver the best services to Minnesotans.”

MnDOT’s drone inspection multi-year project received the Emerging and Innovative Technologies State IT Recognition Award. The drone bridge inspections take advantage of 3D modeling to provide better quality data and asset management, improve safety for bridge inspectors and the public, and reduce traffic delays.

“Our bridge inspectors and crews work hard to ensure that Minnesota bridges are safe for the thousands of motorists and pedestrians who cross them daily,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “Through the use of technology—such as drones, 3D digital models and augmented reality—we have been able to improve the quality of Minnesota bridge inspections and help reduce safety risks, traffic disruptions and costs.”

Access the press release from NASCIO’s website announcing the full list of award recipients.

Two Minnesota projects received regional 2023 America’s Transportation Awards from the Mid-America Association of Transportation Officials at a ceremony on Aug. 16.

The two projects, selected from a total of 23 nominees from nine states, were the Tribal Employment Rights and On-the-Job Training Partnership and the Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Access design-build project, also known as the Willmar Wye.

The America’s Transportation Awards program starts at the regional level, including the awards administered by MAASTO. The top three winners from the region will be announced soon and will move on to the national level of AASHTO.