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Transportation Research Update

New research projects aim to address critical transportation issues

Bike volumes from mobile-sourced data has created new opportunities to assess the benefits of bike lanes. A newly funded project will evaluate bike infrastructure to improve equitable access for all bike users.

MnDOT and the Local Road Research Board have funded 27 new research projects out of 82 proposals submitted this year. Every MnDOT and LRRB project is guided by a Technical Advisory Panel, with each member serving an important role in the success of the project. MnDOT and LRRB are actively seeking volunteers to serve as Technical Advisory Panel members. TAP members will help with guiding research and reviewing final project deliverables.

Researchers are addressing transportation challenges, such as:

• Incorporation of Soil Health Engineered Measures on MnDOT Construction Projects and Resilient Stormwater Management
• Utilizing Hydrogen Fuel Technology for a Greener Fleet
• Leveraging Transportation Investments for Economic Development and Wealth Building
• Feasibility of InSAR for Continuous Monitoring of Ground Deformation and Performance Tracking of Geotechnical Assets
• Feasibility of LED Solar Street Lighting

“This year’s research submissions highlighted several transportation research needs in the State of Minnesota,” said Brent Rusco, Program Manager, MnDOT Office of Research & Innovation. “These funding decisions align with the goals of each of the research programs including the MnDOT Research Strategic Vision for a people-centered transportation system that provides safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation for all through purpose-driven research and innovation and the LRRB vision as the nationally recognized model for a practitioner-driven research organization focused on developing and implementing solutions for the local transportation system. We appreciate all of our contributors involved in this process including university researchers, subject matter experts representing MnDOT, city, and county needs, the Research Steering Committee, and the Local Road Research Board.”

Each spring, the MnDOT Research Steering Committee and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board solicit research ideas from transportation practitioners and later request proposals from universities. In December, the research governing boards meet to hear these proposals and select projects for funding. To receive updates on any of the funded projects, select “subscribe” on the project webpage. To volunteer for a project advisory team, contact David Glyer.

Have an idea for MnDOT's next funding cycle? Ideas are due April 1, 2025 for next year's projects. Visit IdeaScale to submit your idea.

If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or documents in an alternative format please contact Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 (711 or 1-800-627-3529 for MN Relay). If you need any other reasonable accommodation to participate, please email your request to ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us.