Newsletters
Video and News Releases
U of M startup uses mobile app to monitor and coach teen driving skills
UMNews, January 12, 2012
Using research from the University of Minnesota, the company Drive Power, LLC, aims to change grim statistics for teen drivers involved in crashes by introducing DriveScribe, a revolutionary mobile app that encourages safe driving habits and provides real-time coaching to novice drivers. The technology was developed by University mechanical engineering department researchers through research funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the ITS Institute.
Teen Driver Support System (TDSS)
August 6, 2010
The ITS Institute has developed a new version of the Teen Driver Support System (TDSS), a GPS-enabled smart phone mounted on the dashboard to provide the driver real-time visual and audio feedback about driving performance.
Americans take more risks when they drive the nation's rural highways, new University of Minnesota study says
UMNews, August 4, 2010
While Americans are much more likely to die on rural highways than urban freeways, a new survey released today found that they feel much more relaxed and prone to risk-taking on rural highways.
Survey finds drivers mistakenly believe winter is most dangerous travel time
UMNews, June 30, 2010
The vast majority of Americans interviewed in a new national poll believe winter is the most dangerous time for driving, but the truth is this coming Fourth of July weekend often is the deadliest time.
'Gridlock Buster' gives kids a chance to play traffic manager
August 21, 2009
The ITS Institute and Web Courseworks have developed a new traffic control online game for high school students that lets them try their hand at working in the engineering and transportation field.
CTS releases study on use of 'value capture' for financing transportation projects
UMN News, July 7, 2009
CTS was commissioned by the state legislature in 2008 to conduct this first-of-its-kind research to look at value capture as a potential finance mechanism for future infrastructure investments in Minnesota. Value capture is a type of infrastructure financing in which increases in private land values generated by public investment are in part “captured” through a variety of approaches to help pay for infrastructure projects.
Transforming communities with transportation
UMNews, March 12, 2009
With nearly $48 billion in federal stimulus money dedicated to transportation, repairing and rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure is a key priority of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. While the goal of the act is to create jobs and improve infrastructure, the recent interdisciplinary research study “Moving Communities Forward” conducted by CTS for Congress found that well-designed transportation projects have the ability to transform communities.
U of M research finds road salt is making the state's lakes and rivers saltier
UMNews, February 10, 2009
Better training of snow plow drivers and more judicious use of road salt could help lessen the impact on aquatic life and drinking water and save the state money.
U of M I-35W bridge study results parallel last week's NTSB report
UMNews, November 20, 2008
Preliminary results of the University of Minnesota's independent academic study of the I-35W bridge collapse suggest that lack of robustness in the bridge's original design, additional load from bridge improvements over the years, weight from construction materials and stresses induced by temperature changes contributed to the collapse of the I-35W bridge on Aug. 1, 2007.
U of M maps out America's deadliest roads
UMNews, July 23, 2008
To reach greenhouse gas goals, U of M researchers say action must start now
UMNews, July 22, 2008
University of Minnesota undergrad builds I-35W bridge model for NTSB
UMNews, February 19, 2008
University of Minnesota junior Rachel Gaulke has built a replica model of the collapsed I-35W bridge to be presented to the National Transportation Safety Board for further investigation.
- Watch video (1:40)
Virtual driving maps out the newest in road research
UMNews, December 18, 2007
University of Minnesota researcher Mick Rakauskas has surveyed drivers in Minnesota and discovered that rural drivers are practicing as many common safety precautions on the road as their urban counterparts.
- Watch video (2:05)
I-35W Class at the U of M
UMNews, September 2007
A new class at the University of Minnesota takes a look at the I-35W tragedy from all angles.
- Watch video (2:08)