Featured Studies

• SMART-Signals
• Rural Unsignalized Intersections
• Teen Drivers
• Motorcycle Riding and BAC Impairment
• Ramp Metering
• Transit Signal Priority (MTO)
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Systems
• Driver Assistive Technologies
• Security Applications

Home > Research

Research at the ITS Institute focus on the development of tools and technologies to improve the safety and mobility of all forms of private and public transportation. These research activities span multiple disciplines, ranging from engineering and computer science to psychology and public policy.

Research spotlight

U of M, Mn/DOT develop new snowplow

Rajesh Rajamani

KSTP - TV, October 14, 2009

A smart new snowplow under development by the University of Minnesota and Mn/DOT may make roads safer while using less salt, which saves money and in turn helps the environment. U of M mechanical engineering professor Rajesh Rajamani, the developer of the plow, says the plow's sensor technology allows for a more targeted attack on snow and ice.

Read full article

Rural Unsignalized Intersections

The Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute is working with several state departments of transportation to improve the safety of rural highway intersections through the application of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the causes of crashes at rural intersections, this study aims to develop a deployable system to improve driver safety without obstructing the movement of highway traffic. Project Web site

Programs and Labs

• The Minnesota Traffic Observatory (MTO) is a transportation laboratory focusing on testing and evaluation of new transportation management and operational strategies and traveler information technologies.
• The HumanFIRST Program is the Institute’s primary human factors research laboratory, employing the tools and methods of psychology and human factors engineering to improve the understanding of driver behavior.
• The Intelligent Vehicles Laboratory develops and tests innovative technologies that reduce driver error, integrating sensor networks, vehicle control systems, navigation systems, and specially designed human interface components.
• Policy & Planning for ITS is a federally funded research program designed to equip transportation and infrastructure professionals with the technological tools to address congestion and other system challenges in the coming years.
• The Northland Advanced Transportation Systems Research Laboratories (NATSRL) on the Duluth campus carries out a range of research including sensing, transportation data management, and management of transportation infrastructure.

Recently published research reports

• Development of Data Warehouse and Applications for Continuous Vehicle Class and Weigh-in-Motion Data
  October 2009 Report no. Mn/DOT 2009-33
• Data Mining of Traffic Video Sequences
  September 2009 Report no. CTS 09-25
• Development and Evaluation of a Cellular Phone Based Teen Driver Support System
  September 2009 Report no. CTS 09-22
• Social Networks and ICT in Location Choice
  August 2009 Report no. CTS 09-19
• Access to Destinations: Application of Accessibility Measures for Non-Auto Travel Modes
  July 2009 Report no. Mn/DOT 2009-24 1381

More research reports

Key research partners

• U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Research and Technology Innovation Administration (RITA)
  • Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
  Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Research Services Section
  • Materials and Road Research
• Minnesota Local Road Research Board

View complete listing of research sponsors