Bringing a new perspective to transportation planning, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is seeking to integrate arts and culture into project design to improve social outcomes. Recent research has shown that historically disadvantaged communities disproportionally bear the brunt of transportation infrastructure projects. A recommended action from this project is to involve local artists and cultural figures throughout planning, to serve as links between the agency and the community. They can offer creative ideas and ensure the community's voice is heard and its interests are taken into account, as per information obtained by MnDOT.
Another innovative approach is the use of mobile device data to estimate bicyclist and pedestrian traffic, aiming to promote safer road networks. By combining data from platforms such as StreetLight and Strava, MnDOT has begun to roughly estimate traffic in the Twin Cities metro area. Despite limitations like inconsistent geographic coverage and demographic representation, these estimates are expected to eventually help guide infrastructure decisions—though more research is needed to improve their accuracy, according to the same MnDOT bulletin.
Tackling a different kind of road safety issue, MnDOT has identified risk factors for deer-vehicle collisions—a significant cause of both economic and environmental costs. Useful tools and methods have been developed to aid in predicting areas at risk. It was found that out of all accidents, only one in four is reported, which makes understanding the true extent of the problem challenging. A machine-learning model will now help target intervention measures more effectively, with the goal of reducing the incidence of these accidents, as MnDOT's bulletin detailed.
Regarding efficiency and traffic flow, MnDOT compared dynamic and static No Right Turn on Red (NRTOR) signs. Though the signs did not significantly differ in terms of driver compliance, dynamic signs did make pedestrians more visible to drivers. Additionally, NRTOR signs activated by the time of day proved to have a traffic flow advantage, suggesting more nuanced approaches might serve better at intersections, the MnDOT report reflects.
In a push toward sustainable construction, MnDOT explored the performance of road base stabilization additives and cold asphalt recycling technologies. Trials showed these methods could yield stronger, more durable pavements while possibly lowering life cycle costs. This paves the way for new design standards that could embrace a more sustainable approach in road construction, MnDOT's research indicates.
Looking forward, MnDOT is hosting several webinars and conferences to engage and share insights on transportation planning and infrastructure. This includes a case study webinar on urban freeway corridors, a session on stormwater inspection, and the 2024 CTS Transportation Research Conference, the organization’s bulletin concludes with a note on upcoming events.
