Laurie McGinnis named CTS acting director

Laurie McGinnis has been appointed acting director of CTS by University officials. McGinnis, CTS associate director since 2001, has worked closely with stakeholders, faculty and staff, funding organizations, and the Center’s advisory committees. Former CTS director Robert Johns left last month to become director of the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Boston.

Middle schoolers prepare for transportation-themed robotics competition on campus

More than 250 young science enthusiasts from across Minnesota converged on the University of Minnesota campus October 15 for a morning of educational workshops and tours of research facilities. The event, hosted by the Institute of Technology, CTS, and educational nonprofit organization High Tech Kids, was planned to help the students prepare for "Smart Move," the 2009 FIRST LEGO League robotics competition. ITS Institute director Max Donath highlighted the Teen Driver Support System (TDSS) and driver-assistive technology that allows snowplow operators to stay on the road in low-visibility conditions.

View video recording of the keynote presentation

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.

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Sabo Lecture on Nov. 23 to discuss new vision for U.S. transportation policy

A free public forum discussing the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project (NTPP) recommendations contained in its report Performance Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy will be held November 23 at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in conjunction with the Martin Olav Sabo Lecture Series. Former Congressman Sabo, NTPP co-chair, will speak at the event.

More about the Martin Olav Sabo Lecture

Fall 2009 CTS Luncheon: Why Electric Cars?

Dan Davids, president of Plug In America, explained at the CTS Fall Luncheon on Nov. 10 how electric vehicles (EVs) will be a major force in reducing our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improving the global environment. The technology is ready, the market is ready, and the infrastructure—the electric grid—is already in place. Davids also provided a brief history of electric cars in America and discussed vehicles coming to the marketplace.

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More about the CTS Fall Luncheon

Webinar: Non-Intrusive Detection of Driver Drowsiness

Advanced Transportation Technologies Seminar, November 19, 2009
Xun Yu, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth

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Cellular Phone-Based Teen Driving Support System aims to help young drivers stay safe

Janet Creaser

University of Minnesota researchers are using “smart” cell phones to help teen drivers keep out of trouble behind the wheel. The design and evaluation of a Teen Driver Support System (TDSS) is documented in a report authored by HumanFIRST Program research fellow Janet Creaser, program director Mike Manser, graduate student Richard Hoglund, and ITS Institute director Max Donath.

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Technology enables nationwide implementation of a system to measure mileage for road user fees

ITS Institute researchers have proposed a system for charging mileage-based road user fees. The system, designed to be deployed in the near-term and without GPS, uses a plug-in device in vehicles and builds on existing technology. Communication is available wherever cellular service is accessible, meaning no new wireless infrastructure is needed. The proposed system was featured recently in the newsletters TollRoads News, Surface Transportation Innovations, and AASHTO Journal.

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