Project Summary: Drive MN

Automated vehicles (AVs) rely heavily on roadway infrastructure to function. This project used technology-equipped research vehicles to drive over 1,000 miles of Minnesota roadways to gain a better understanding of potential infrastructure issues that would inhibit the operations of AVs. The outcomes of this project were intended to be used by transportation professionals to make improvements to allow for the operation of automated driving and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Data was gathered with vehicle technology and sensors to collect radar, LiDAR, and video data which was post-processed to identify problematic areas and place issues into the following buckets:

• Freeway ramps and turn lanes.
• Poor lane line condition and visibility.
• Construction and maintenance activities.
• Poor contrast.
• Tight curvature.
• Environmental issues.
• Dynamic lanes.

Along the drive, the team hosted live events in every MnDOT district to provide information about Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), the state of the industry and vehicle technology, as well as observations made along the drive.