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In 2003, the State and Local Policy Program (SLPP) at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs began research into how Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies can be used to deliver transportation services to an increasingly diverse population in Minnesota. The research objective was to identify the nature of the gap between the emerging needs and existing services, and to propose ways of using technology to bridge the gap, both in terms of providing better transportation options and in reducing the cost of these options. Using the information obtained from emerging demographic data, the 2003 study focused on identifying transportation challenges and opportunities for several different populations, with a particular focus on those that do not or cannot drive. This project continues this general theme through a series of analyses of ITS applications that appear most promising to improve mobility and access for Minnesota's increasingly diverse population. These applications include technologically advanced Community-Based Transit, Car Sharing, use of ITS to implement Value Pricing through conversion of an HOV lane to a High-Occupancy/Toll (HOT) lane, and evaluation of web-based Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS).

Minnesota’s Office of Civil Rights at the Minnesota Department of Transportation administers the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. The DBE program is intended to remedy past and current discrimination against disadvantaged business enterprises, ensure a level playing field and foster equal opportunity in DOT-assisted contracts, improve the flexibility and efficiency of the DBE program, and reduce burdens on small businesses. The last Needs Assessment of The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Office of Civil Rights Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and On-the-Job Training/Supportive Services (OJT/SS) programs was conducted in 2020. With the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, MnDOT’s Office of Civil Rights partnered with The Improve Group, a research and evaluation firm, to develop and conduct an analysis on the impact of COVID-19 on disadvantaged business enterprises in Minnesota engaged in highway heavy construction and providing professional and technical services. In assessing this impact, The Improve Group utilized both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to outline the effects of COVID-19 on business stability, support received from MnDOT to alleviate impact, and generate recommendations for MnDOT to consider for use in the future.

There is strong evidence to support incorporating arts, culture, and creative placemaking into transportation practices to improve engagement outcomes, mitigate impacts to communities, and build trust between communities and institutions. However, general confusion around the role arts and culture can and should play in transportation planning, plus limited experience with this type of approach, have constrained integration and, in some cases, also hindered implementation success. The case studies in this report overwhelmingly demonstrate the value of incorporating arts and culture practices through increases in participation and public trust, especially among underrepresented groups. Yet the lack of evaluations of the successful programs or projects, documentation of processes, and comprehension of the relevant funding options and collaborative partnership opportunities stalls replication. Furthermore, the lack of clear policy goals and staff training and support means these successful interventions are not sustainable within DOT culture and practice. Shifting the focus away from outdated arguments about the role of art, culture, and creative placemaking in transportation planning and toward a focus on what is relevant to community identity and intentional engagement will enable DOTs to capitalize on a cost-saving and trust-building suite of creative placemaking engagement tools. It will also begin to help make up for past decisions that have harmed unrepresented communities

This Research Summay accompanies Report 2024-12, "Utilizing Arts and Culture to Mitigate the Negative Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure on Communities," published in June 2024.