Fall 2004 Technology Exchange
New signs flash when deer are near
In 2002, five people were killed in deer-vehicle crashes in Minnesota,
and more than 5,500 hits were reported. A research report just published
by Mn/DOT describes a promising new approach that one day could
help reduce these numbers.
Learn more at Deer Vehicle Crash Information
Clearinghouse
Learn about the many possibilities for keeping deer off the hood
of your car.
Taconite tailings: a new source of
aggregate for roadway construction
A potential new source of stone aggregate materials for road construction
and maintenance has been identified by researchers from the University
of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth.
Truck-weight training a success; more
classes on tap
The program educates industry freight shippers, carriers, and public
agency personnel on the proper application of Minnesota Commercial
Vehicle Weight Laws and enforcement policies.
An engineer inside you?
To help students choose a college major and career path Celeste
Baine has dedicated herself to creating resources on engineering
careers for students.
County commissioners share views on
transportation
Commissioners from four counties shared their views on transportation
at the September 1 joint luncheon meeting of the North Central Institute
of Transportation Engineers, the Women's Transportation Seminar,
and ITS Minnesota.
Maintenance research
Maintenance research
The Mn/DOT Maintenance Operations Research (MOR) unit fulfills the
important role of researching and testing new and innovative technologies—technologies
that Mn/DOT could potentially use in the near future.
Plow improvements offer many benefits
Early this year, the Mn/DOT Snow Plow Truck Standardization Committee
implemented several changes on the new Mn/DOT class 33 and 35 trucks.
Rear-view cameras improve visibility
Mn/DOT Maintenance Operations Research unit has been working in
cooperation with the Mn/DOT Safety Offices for the past several years to evaluate rear-vision monitor
systems.
Chromatic perception affects snowplow visibility
When plows are operating in blowing snow, their orange color may actually make it harder for other drivers
to judge their movement. University researchers plan to continue their work on chromatic motion perception
in order to improve driving safety.
Lodahl to direct Mn/DOT Research Services
Sue Lodahl, a member of the Minnesota LTAP Steering Committee, has
been named the new director of the Research Services section in
Mn/DOT's Office of Investment Management.
LRRB Update
Report explores causes of top-down
cracking
What causes top-down cracking isn't certain, but research funded
by the Minnesota Local Road Research Board provides some clues.
Taconite may be option for deicing,
pothole patching
David M. Hopstock and Lawrence M. Zanko, University of Minnesota
Duluth
Pavement researchers model cold-weather
cracking
While the effects of low-temperature cracking are obvious, the details
of how asphalt pavements respond to low temperatures have proven
difficult to model accurately.
Safety
Driver error, animal crossing most
common causes of rural crashes
New research sponsored by the LRRB and Mn/DOT indicates that the
most common causes for crashes on rural roads fall into two main
categories: driver error and animal crossings.
FHWA Web site promotes ways to protect
wildlife
A new Web site, designed for the transportation community and for
the traveling public, highlights easy ways of reducing highway impacts
on wildlife.
Innovative ITS technology to promote
rural intersection safety
The Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute is tackling the
problem of rural intersection crashes with its innovative Rural
Intersection Decision Support (IDS) research program.
'Red-red' traffic lights: are they
safer?
All-red clearance intervals, in which all directions of traffic
at an intersection receive a red light for a period ranging from
0.5 to 3.0 seconds, are perceived by many to have a safety benefit.
However, past research studying their effectiveness has been divided.
FHWA offers pedestrian safety guidelines
for intersections
To improve intersection safety for pedestrians safety, the Federal
Highway Administration's Office of Safety created a comprehensive
public awareness campaign targeting both motorists and pedestrians.
Workshops & training
Learn how to control traffic in work
zones—and much more
The Northland Chapter of the American Traffic Safety Services Association
will be holding its 13th annual "How To" training conference March
22–23, 2005, in Fargo.
CTAP to offer work-zone safety training
by Kathy Schaefer
High-quality service is theme of MPWA
Fall Conference
The Minnesota Public Works Association Fall Conference will be held
November 17–19, 2004, in Brooklyn Center.
Public Works Certificate Program offered
The certificate provides education and tools that enable workers
to advance their careers in public works.
Check out Salt Institute's e-newsletter
The Salt Institute, a non-profit association of salt producers,
publishes a quarterly e-newsletter.
Information Services
LTAP Training & Events Calendar
For an up-to-date list of events in Minnesota, please see the LTAP training and events calendar