This report summarizes the approach, findings, and recommendations of the Minnesota Truck Size and Weight (TS&W) Project led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) in cooperation with other public and private stakeholders. The purpose of the project is to assess changes to Minnesota's TS&W laws that would benefit the Minnesota economy while protecting roadway infrastructure and safety.
In 2006, the Minnesota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety partnered with the Wright County Highway Department and the Safe Communities Coalition of Wright County to pilot a Tailgating Treatment Program similar to a Pennsylvania project honored with a 2001 National Highway Safety Award. The Minnesota project was viewed as a tool to educate motorists on how to identify and maintain a minimum safe following distance, and ultimately to reduce rear end crashes.
The purpose of this maintenance and operation plan is to assure that the 1-394 Third Avenue North Distributor (TAD) Garage A (7th Street North), Garage B (5th Street North) and Garage C (4th Street North), hereafter referred to as the TAD Garages, are maintained and operated safely, efficiently, in support of the I-394 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) incentive programs, and in support of the goals and objectives of the 1-394 Transportation System Management Plan (TSM) . The purpose of this maintenance and operation plan is also to assure that the TAD Garages are maintained and operated in accordance with 23 USC 137, Fringe and Corridor Parking Facilities (see Appendix B-l), Section 127 (a) of the 1982 Surface Transportation Assistance Act (see Appendix B-2) , and Minnesota Statute 161.1231 (see Appendix B-6).
This cell phone study is an internal, statewide study at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT). The Senior Management Team is seeking recommendations for cost-effective measures regarding cell phone use. The question that originally triggered the study was whether Mn/DOT could save costs by pooling cell phone minutes. It is the conclusion of the study that pooling is just one of many cost-saving strategies, and that there is a need in Mn/DOT for a better overall process for managing cell phones.
The 87 Minnesota counties have developed differing ordinances regarding the mining and taxing of gravel deposits. The Geotechnical Section - Aggregate Unit of Construction and Materials Engineering saw the need for a database to store data on county conditional use permits, gravel taxes, county contact offices, phone and fax numbers, and pertinent comments.
The intent of the Minnesota Airport Development Guide is to promote a statewide system of airports by providing a framework for meeting the short, intermediate, and long range needs for airport and air navigation facilities in the State of Minnesota.
General supervision over aeronautics within the State is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Transportation. It is his responsibility to encourage, foster, and assist aeronautics development and to encourage the establishment of airports and air navigation facilities.
Minnesota Statutes 360 establishes a State Airport Fund consisting of aviation user (aircraft registration, aviation fuel, and airline flight property) taxes collected by the State. Monies are appropriated by the State Legislature from this fund to the Department of Transportation. These monies are used to assist airport sponsors to acquire, construct, improve, maintain, and operate airports and air navigation facilities. The monies are to be expended upon projects included in the State airport system established by the Commissioner, These airports or air navigation facilities are owned, controlled, or operated or are to be owned, controlled, or operated by political subdivisions of the State of Minnesota.
The Airport Development Guide identifies the State airport system and attempts to coordinate long-range development of airports and air navigation facilities. It is a document for use at the local level as a framework for aviation needs, but public airport sponsors have the ultimate responsibility to determine the extent and timing of actual airport projects.
The intent of the Minnesota Airport Development Guide is to promote a statewide system of airports by providing a framework for meeting the short, intermediate, and long range needs for airport and air navigation facilities in the State of Minnesota.
General supervision over aeronautics within the State is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Transportation. It is his responsibility to encourage, foster, and assist aeronautics development and to encourage the establishment of airports and air navigation facilities.
Minnesota Statutes 360 establishes a State Airport Fund consisting of aviation user (aircraft registration, aviation fuel, and airline flight property) taxes collected by the State. Monies are appropriated by the State Legislature from this fund to the Department of Transportation. These monies are used to assist airport sponsors to acquire, construct, improve, maintain, and operate airports and air navigation facilities. The monies are to be expended upon projects included in the State airport system established by the Commissioner, These airports or air navigation facilities are owned, controlled, or operated or are to be owned, controlled, or operated by political subdivisions of the State of Minnesota.
The Airport Development Guide identifies the State airport system and attempts to coordinate long-range development of airports and air navigation facilities. It is a document for use at the local level as a framework for aviation needs, but public airport sponsors have the ultimate responsibility to determine the extent and timing of actual airport projects.
Over the last several years shipping costs and efficiencies have led to the emergence of larger trucks with increased load capacity. Many of Minnesota's state and county highways were built many years ago and were not designed to withstand the weights of todays larger trucks. Many roads continue to be restricted to heavy vehicles, particularly in the spring when thawing conditions make roadways especially vulnerable to weight related damage.
In response to this situation, legislation was enacted in 1985 requiring the preparation of a market artery study to identify the routes, costs and priorities for upgrading the load capacity of the highways which are important to Minnesota shipping.
This report documents the first phase of the market artery study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT). Market arteries have been identified based on input from counties, cities. Regional Development Commissions and the public. In addition, upgrading needs and costs have been estimated and Mn/DOT District priorities for accommodating 80,000 pound vehicles on identified market artery routes have been determined.
Usability testing was conducted on the LRRB Web site from March 24 to April 7, 2004, with the participation of ten Minnesota transportation engineers. Testing was performed at the worksites of five county and five city transportation engineers throughout the state. The purpose of the testing was to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of the site for its target audience, local transportation practitioners.
On May 7, 1975, one of the main girders of the Lafayette Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota, was discovered to be cracked.
Subsequently, on May 18, 1975, Dr. J. W. Fisher visited the site for a visual examination of the cracked girder. An agreement was made with the Department of Highways to investigate the cracked girder in order to ascertain the causes of the cracking and provide recommendations for corrective action-as may be deemed necessary for other details that may need attention.
