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Traffic centers gather information from traffic sensors at regular intervals, but storing the data for future analysis becomes an issue. This report details work to improve the speed and effectiveness of traffic databases. In this project phase, researchers redesigned the data model based on the previous phase's data model and decreased the storage requirements by one-third. Researchers developed a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for users to specify the query of interest; the outcome of the performance tuning gave users reasonable response time. The beneficiaries of this effective database would include the driving public, traffic engineers, and researchers, who are generally not familiar with the query language used in the database management system. This report summarizes the detailed reference, such as benchmark query, sample data, table schema, conversion code, and other information.

Appendix A pertains to TRS 1207, Collecting and Managing Traffic Data on Local Roads. It contains survey responses for the Initial Survey of Statewide Participants in MnDOT's Traffic Data Collection Program.

Appendix B pertains to TRS 1207, Collecting and Managing Traffic Data on Local Roads. It contains survey responses for the Greater Minnesota supplemental survey.

The Minnesota Speed Management Program (MSMP), a cooperative project between the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, was developed within the framework of the Minnesota Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan. The overall goal was to reduce the number of fatal and lifechanging crashes on Minnesota highways. The MSMP involved a speed limit adjustment—on 850 miles of Minnesota’s 55 mph highways the speed limit was increased to 60 mph. It involved increased speed enforcement—by State Patrol, county sheriffs, and local law enforcement—on selected highways. There were four waves of Enhanced Enforcement (one of six weeks, three of eight weeks) each followed by four weeks of Regular Enforcement. The MSMP involved extensive public education, organized by the Office of Traffic Safety, with approximately 10,000 public service messages presented on the radio. Two evaluation efforts were conducted. The University of Minnesota compared travel speed data and crash data obtained during the MSMP with historical data. Throughout the MSMP, there were decreases in the number of drivers traveling at least 10 mph above the speed limits—decreases of -28.7% on 2-Lane/2-Way Highways; -28.7% on 4-Lane Divided Highways; -42.9% on Rural Freeways; and -11.2% mph on Urban Freeways. The University’s evaluation also showed there were reductions in the numbers of fatal and life-changing crashes during the MSMP. MarketLine Research conducted the second evaluation, using telephone surveys, and found nine in ten drivers support the speed limit increase from 55 mph to 60 mph in both Metro and Greater Minnesota. The MSMP, in concert with other efforts that are part of the Minnesota Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan, resulted in reductions in the number of speeders on Minnesota Highways and reductions in the number of fatal and lifechanging crashes—making Minnesota’s roads safer.

The reliability of variables used in the calculation of storm severity indices or winter severity indices (SSIs/WSIs) was evaluated via an expansive literature review, an international survey, and two rounds of interviews with data and device managers. A Recommendations Guide was created to help agencies who want to improve upon or build anew an SSI/WSI; and included a thorough outline of reliable data, data sources, and SSI/WSI calculation methods. A spreadsheet tool was built that guides a user through the process of choosing variables and methods to address their predominant weather concerns.

The appendices for Clear Roads report CR18-03, Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables," published December 2020.

This research brief was created as part of Clear Roads project 18-03, "Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables," published December 2020.

The Transportation Information System was developed as a tool to perform specific tasks relating to transportation data. Since its initial development, TIS has undergone many modifications and additions in order to meet new or changing demands. TIS has succeeded in meeting its original goals and in satisfying many new demands. But as new demands continue to mount, certain deficiencies in TIS are becoming apparent which will cause increasing difficulties in the future. Because system documentation and standards for system maintenance are inadequate, modifications and corrections to the system are time consuming and difficult. Therefore, some users have created their own data files and stand-alone systems, thus duplicating effort and creating data redundancy and inaccuracy. Because of the deficiencies of TIS, a Feasibility Study was initiated to research and analyze various alternative methods of resolving the shortcomings of TIS.

This document represents Mn/DOT's commitment and successes in, the area of automated systems. It will serve as a valuable resource for legislators, state agencies and others as well as for our own use. The continued success of this document depends on the quality of the information it contains. Therefore all of us who are related to these systems in any way should be concerned with the accuracy of the information about the systems we are familiar with. Please browse the document for, inaccuracies and omissions. Changes and suggestions should be reported in the. manner described in the Introduction. Also please take the time just to see what types of data processing projects currently exist in our department. We should take pride in these accomplishments. Thank you in advance for your usual effort and cooperation in making this a success.

The purpose of this document is twofold; To inform transportation oriented readers about existing systems that have been developed in other state agencies that may be of interest to them, and to provide an awareness of the State Information Systems Project (SISP), and encourage everyone to make use of this valuable resource. This directory contains information on many of the systems currently inventoried on the SISP. They were selected somewhat subjectively based on possible interest to users, planners, and systems developers. They are sorted and indexed by system name within agency. A second index in the back is sorted by system name only. Description, sources, produced materials, contact and record number are shown exactly as they appear in the SISP system. The SISP can provide additional information about these and other systems of other state agencies. Subject indexes are available and other methods of selecting and sorting are possible. Information is available in printed form or on floppy disks. All state agencies are required by law to keep their data in the SISP current.