MnDOT Research

06/24/2026

Can enhancing color on dynamic message signs improve clarity and safety on the road? In a new MnDOT-funded project, researchers are studying how colors on dynamic message signs affect driver perception and information comprehension. A pilot study will help identify which color options improve visibility, reduce distraction, and support safer travel.

The majority of MnDOT’s dynamic message signs (DMS) are equipped to produce full color/full matrix messaging. Current signage regulations refer to retroreflective colors for static signs, but MnDOT…

06/23/2026

When temperatures fall below 15°F, regular road salt loses effectiveness. To keep roads safe during extreme cold conditions, transportation agencies often use an alternative deicer to treat roads. In a completed LRRB-study, researchers evaluated the performance of alternative deicers on Minnesota roads. Results show that a mixture of salt brine and alternative deicer can help winter maintenance crews manage snow and ice when road salt alone is not enough.

When temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit (F), salt loses its effectiveness at melting snow on roads. To accommodate lower temperatures, transportation agencies often combine an alternativ…

06/10/2026

Minimum parking requirements continue to impact how communities grow and travel. Reducing these requirements can remove excess parking supply and decrease vehicle miles traveled (VMT), which can support increased accessibility and reduced traffic congestion.

In a new LRRB-funded study, researchers are exploring how parking policies affect VMT and how updated policies could support local economic development, encourage alternative travel methods, and reduce environmental impact.

Minimum parking requirements were established in the mid-20th century to mitigate increased motor vehicle congestion but have the potential to contribute to urban sprawl, hinder development, and cu…

06/09/2026

Join us for this month's Research Radar: Low Density, High Impact: Research Topics for Rural Mobility.

This month's webinar highlights transportation research that supports improved mobility, safety, and access in rural Minnesota communities.

Research Radar: Low Density, High Impact: Research Topics for Rural Mobility
📅 Thursday, June 18 | ⏰10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CDT
✅ Free to attend | Registration Required

REGISTER HERE: 0219cac5-997a-4449-a75a-eff5d71995fd@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0219cac5-997a-4449-a75a-eff5d71995fd@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c

05/27/2026

This week is Wildlife Casualty Count Week of Action in Minnesota, highlighting wildlife losses caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions. Learn how to support awareness efforts and explore how MnDOT research integrates wildlife protection and habitat conservation into transportation planning and construction. Read the full story below:

This week is Wildlife Casualty Count Week of Action in Minnesota. It highlights the impacts transportation systems have on wildlife and raises awareness of wildlife deaths resulting from vehicle co…

05/20/2026

In a new MnDOT-funded study, researchers are using high-resolution InSAR data and remote sensing tools to detect and monitor ground deformations near Minnesota highways. Early detection can improve safety, reduce costs of emergency repairs, and support the state's geotechnical asset management program.

Geohazards generated by ground movements (e.g., landslides, subsidence, sink holes, etc.) cause substantial damage and interruptions to Minnesota’s highway network. Reactive monitoring approaches a…

05/07/2026

Join us and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board for this month's Research Radar: Steer, Step, and Cycle - Safer by the Mile!

Learn how researchers and transportation partners are improving safety for people who drive, walk, and bike.

🚶‍♀️‍➡ Research Radar: Steer, Step, and Cycle - Safer by the Mile
📅 Thursday, May 21 | ⏰ 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CDT
✅ Free to attend | Registration Required

REGISTER HERE: 11d837f4-cce1-47b8-9625-eb2f3a1fa109@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/11d837f4-cce1-47b8-9625-eb2f3a1fa109@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c

04/29/2026

Minnesota agencies are working to bring more electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleets. A recently completed LRRB-funded study reviewed staff feedback and analyzed long-term costs to determine best EV adoption strategies. The study shows light-duty EVs offer the best long-term value and sharing charging stations can help reduce costs.

While electric vehicles (EVs) provide benefits over traditional gas-powered vehicles, they also come with challenges. Investigators surveyed and interviewed staff, analyzed costs and developed an o…

04/22/2026

Celebrate Earth Day with Minnesota-grown innovation 🌎

Every day, our team and partners work to make Minnesota's transportation system safer, more resilient, and more sustainable. This Earth Day, we're highlighting the ways research helps us protect our environment and support healthier communities!

- Engineering Post-Construction Soil Composition to Support Resilient Stormwater Management: https://bit.ly/4dXEatH
- Assessing Recycled Pavement for Use in Road Design: https://bit.ly/41TdyCS
- Transitioning to EV Fleets: Best Practices and a Decision Tool: https://bit.ly/41TdEue

04/21/2026

Road salt runoff can harm local streams and watersheds. A recently completed MnDOT-funded study tested how well different salt capture materials allow water to pass through and evaluated their performance in real-world conditions. The findings provided useful guidance on material sourcing, bag design, and placement for future research.

Treating roads with deicers during winter storms is essential for ensuring the safety of the traveling public. However, salt runoff can negatively impact the environment. In-ditch salt capture tech…