Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology has the potential to significantly increase work zone safety. Each day, MnDOT maintenance employees and contractors are at risk of being involved in crashes when performing road work. To mitigate this risk, MnDOT uses truck mounted attenuators – or crash cushions – to help protect roadside workers)
As directed by Minnesota Laws 2024 Chapter 127, Article 3, Sec. 130, the Minnesota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety conducted a joint study on the current state of Minnesota’s commercial driver workforce.
Commercial drivers play an important role in our state and in our country; they support Minnesotans and our economy by connecting people to jobs, healthcare, education, and helping facilitate the movement of goods and freight. To support this industry, the Commercial Driver Workforce Study Group has developed eight recommendations for the Legislature to consider. This report details the study group’s process and how these recommendations emerged.
Last year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation conducted a study on dynamic transportation options in Greater Minnesota. This report fulfils the requirements laid out under 2024 Laws of Minn., Ch. 127, Art. 3, Sec. 124 providing an overview of the existing conditions in non-metropolitan areas and recommendations for a pilot program.
The transportation system in Minnesota plays an important role in supporting our state’s economy and connecting our communities to each other. Whether it’s access to work, school, shopping, getting medical care, or socializing with friends and family, everyone needs to be able to use and have access to our transportation system.
The Legislature formed the Minnesota Council on Transportation Access (referred to as MCOTA) under Minn. Stat. 174.285 in 2010 to “study, evaluate, oversee and make recommendations to improve the coordination, availability, accessibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety of transportation services provided to the transit public.” Since then, MCOTA has worked to improve mobility options for those who live and visit our state.
MCOTA is led by staff from the Department of Transportation who work with partner agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to continue to reduce barriers in the transportation system. This includes working with Transit Assistance Coordination Projects (TCAPs) in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and Regional Transportation Coordinating Councils (RTCCs) in Greater Minnesota to connect users to services throughout the state and recruit new providers, as per the 2020-2024 MCOTA Strategic Plan. MCOTA also works with partners to identify issues that can be improved upon through the legislative process, and endorsing and supporting legislation that improves access and mobility options. MCOTA members connect with existing and potential stakeholders and share educational and networking opportunities.
This research summary is part of the final deliverable for Report 2025-19, "Assessing the Deterioration of Pedestrian Assets," published in February 2025,
This research summary is part of the final deliverable for Report 2025-01, "Value of Dedicated Right-of-Way: Transit Service Reliability and User Impacts," published in February 2025.
Information and data for this study were gathered from Mn/DOT's Aeronautics Division and Maintenance Office. Also consulted were individuals involved with travel coordination and policy from Iowa and South Dakota government agencies.
This study focuses on two primary recommendations for improving Mn/DOT's travel procedures. The first involves greatly increasing trip consolidation and coordination. This would be pursued through establishment of a travel coordinator position, development of computerized support, and the institution of "core days" for travel. A successful travel coordination program could affect reductions in travel mileage and fuel consumption that would add up to a substantial dollar savings for the Department.
The second thrust of the study revolves around increasing the utilization of Mn/DOT's aircraft, making them a primary mode of travel for outstate trips. This would be highly desirable in terms of savings in productive time on the part of the travelers.
(The dollar value of this time savings is computed by multiplying hours saved by an average salary figure.) However, it should be noted that the actual dollar cost of flying nearly always exceeds that of driving, often by a substantial amount.
This report presents the findings of a six-part study of the informational needs of Minnesota tourists and travelers conducted for the Minnesota Department of Transportation during the second half of 1978.
The project was undertaken with the overall purpose of recommending alternative strategies for providing information to tourists about how to locate Minnesota facilities and places of interest.
This research study has attempted both to identify alternative methods of providing information to motorists and to evaluate the recommended alternatives.
The study was instigated to assess the impact of the Federal Highway Beautification Act, which calls for removal of non-conforming billboards on state and interstate roads. Many of the billboards that have been taken down advertised tourist facilities and additionally provided information on how to locate them. The premise for this study was that other means of supplying information to tourists may have been inadequate and are now perhaps even more necessary in the absence of highway billboard advertising.
The Program Evaluation Division was established by the Legislature in 1975 as a center for management and policy research within the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The division's mission, as set forth in statute, is to determine the degree to which activities and programs entered into or funded by the state are accomplishing their goals and objectives and utilizing resources efficiently. Reports published by the division describe state programs, analyze management problems, evaluate outcomes, and recommend alternative means of reaching program goals. A list of past reports appears at the end of this document.
Topics for study are approved by the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC), a 16- member bipartisan oversight committee. The division's reports, however, are solely the responsibility of the Legislative Auditor and his staff. Findings, conclusions, and recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of the LAC or any of its members.
