With winter upon us, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board are shedding light on innovations that could make commutes through snow and ice less treacherous. Their upcoming webinar titled "Advancements in Winter Maintenance" promises a deep dive into cutting-edge research focused on ramping up the efficacy of winter maintenance and traffic safety. Slated for discussion are three projects, each spearheaded by a different expert in the field.
Among the topics is the "Snowplow Driver Assist System Implementation Plan," detailed by Cory J. Johnson, who serves as Administrative Engineer for Intelligent Transportation Systems at MnDOT. An additional highlight will be the "Snowplow Optimization & GPS/AVL on Maintenance Equipment," presented by Joe MacPherson, Anoka County's own Transportation Division Manager/County Engineer. Finally, audience members will be briefed on the "Human-Centered Testing of Rear-Facing Display to Reduce Vehicle Collisions with Snowplows," courtesy of MnDOT's Steven Blaufuss. Their monthly "Research Radar" webinars are free, though seats are limited and registration remains mandatory.
This gathering marks yet another installment in the Research Radar webinar series, where MnDOT and its Local Road Research Board counterpart scan the horizon for transportation research breakthroughs. Like a beacon in the night, these sessions illuminate the path forward in innovation, convening monthly around a thematic core of interest. Previous sessions have revolved around themes such as "Exploring Autonomous Vehicles Innovation," "Sustainable Transportation Solutions," and "Vibrant Communities," details of which can be found on their official webpage.
Whether a professional in the field or simply a citizen interested in how the state is tackling the daunting task of winter road safety, the webinar series appears to be a resource worth tapping into.
