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Large truck driving in an open pit mine

Iron range grit, Minnesota grip: A homegrown solution for roadway safety

The extra grip on roadways provided by high-friction surface treatments improves safety, but the industry-standard aggregate is often imported and expensive. A recent project led by UMN researchers found that locally sourced taconite could be a durable, cost-effective alternative.

Read more about the study 

Dedicated right-turn lane at a signalized intersection
Seeking a balance of traffic efficiency and pedestrian safety at dedicated right-turn lanes
Dashboard-mounted phone showing a mapping app
Reducing emissions and increasing efficiency through vehicle design, connectivity, and routing
Caterpillar on roadside vegetation
Research weighs risk of microplastic pollutants to roadside pollinator habitats
More news

CTS in the Media

  • April showers bring May flowers, and pollutant stormwater runoff
  • Minnesota’s electric vehicle sales declined in 2025 after years of record growth
  • America’s long-haul truckers were already struggling. Then came $5 diesel
  • Delayed Southwest light rail rolls toward opening as Twin Cities transit use lags
  • Then they came for the immigrant truckers
More CTS in the media

Featured Events

April 14, 2026 In‑person
MN Automated Vehicle Day at the Capitol
1:00pm - 4:30pm
St Paul, MN
April 21, 2026 Virtual
CTS Webinar: Infrastructure Materials and Performance
12:00pm - 1:30pm
April 22, 2026 Virtual
CTS Webinar: Species from Feces—A New Tool to Identify Bats in Culverts and on Bridges
12:00pm - 1:30pm
More events
MnCAV automated vehicle driving on a paved road

Research

Browse all transportation-related research projects at the University of Minnesota. 

CTS at 40: Driving Innovation, Accelerating Discovery, Fueling Talent

CTS at 40

Learn about CTS's 2026 annual theme, "CTS at 40: Driving Innovation, Accelerating Discovery, Fueling Talent."

2024 conference attendees watching a keynote presentation

Annual Conference

Submit a presentation idea for the 2026 CTS Transportation Research Conference, set for November 5 in Minneapolis. Submissions are due April 24.

Interested in CTS's latest news and events?

Sign up for our Catalyst newsletter and event announcements

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Minneapolis, MN 55414

Phone: 612-626-1077
Email: [email protected]

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  • Research
    • Search Research
    • Featured Research
      • CTS at 40
      • Unpacking Freight
      • Rural Needs, Statewide Answers
      • Archives
    • Library Services
    • For CTS Researchers
  • Events & Training
    • Events Calendar
    • Research Conference
    • Seminars and Webinars
    • Freight and Logistics Symposium
    • Professional Ethics Training
    • Technical and Customized Training
    • Past Events
  • Education
    • Student Awards
    • Internship Programs
    • Scholarships & Fellowships
    • Student Organizations
    • K-12 Educational Activities
  • News & Publications
    • CTS News (Catalyst)
    • CTS in the Media
    • Annual Reports and Performance Measures
    • Briefs and Summaries
    • Journal of Transport and Land Use
    • Subscribe
  • Programs & People
    • Programs
    • Staff
    • Faculty & Research Scholars
    • Executive Committee
    • Councils
  • About
    • About CTS
    • Location & Contact Information
    • Job Openings and Vendor Opportunities
    • CTS Awards
    • Equity Statement
    • Land Acknowledgement