MnDOT Research

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…

04/15/2026

High-speed driving in work zones puts both workers and drivers at risk. A completed LRRB-funded study tested a compact device designed to warn drivers through audio and visual alerts as they approach a work zone. Results showed a positive effect on reducing driver speeds.

Motorists driving dangerously in work zones present a safety risk to workers and themselves. Alerting these drivers about their driving behavior before they reach the work zone could reduce the num…

04/14/2026

A recent MnDOT-funded study found that culvert joint separations happen most often in areas with frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Installing pipe ties and properly compacting backfills can help prevent separations.

Culverts are essential components of urban and rural infrastructure that guide and channel water under roads and embankments. The most common failure affecting culverts is joint separation between …

04/08/2026

Join us for this month's Research Radar: Savings by Design!
Discover practical strategies and real examples of how thoughtful design choices can reduce costs and improve project outcomes.

💰 Research Radar: Savings by Design
📅 Thursday, April 16th | 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CDT
✅ Free to attend | Registration required

REGISTER HERE: d678610d-4cb8-4f4c-bc27-f97bdfb69d8d@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/d678610d-4cb8-4f4c-bc27-f97bdfb69d8d@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c

04/07/2026

Big shoutout to our new honorary Minnesotan from Utah Department of Transportation, Luke Ulstad PE MPA!

Thanks for stopping by our booth at the MN Transportation Conference & Expo! We appreciate the great energy and conversation you brought. We had to give you the full Minnesota experience (Photoshop edition😊).

Do we like to connect with our fellow DOTs? You betcha!