Improving Transportation Across Minnesota: 2024 Impacts Report

Performance Measures: Strengthen Research Expertise and Knowledge Development

CTS annually gathers performance measures data to quantify our impacts in effecting changes that improve transportation. Below, key measures from FY24 showcase our work related to one of CTS's three Areas of Excellence: Strengthen Research Expertise and Knowledge Development.

Research Funding

The University received $12.5 million in transportation research funding in FY24, which is a 27.5 percent increase over FY23. This is the first time since FY19 that research funding has totaled over $10 million and the first time since FY16 that the total has passed $12 million. Funding levels naturally fluctuate over time as major projects are secured or completed and with variations in funding awarded from MnDOT and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board. This year's significant increase is due to new programs funded by federal, state, and local sources.

FY24 Analysis

The University's transportation research enterprise remains extremely strong. We surpassed our FY26 target two years early, generating nearly $12.6 million in research funding this year. This was mainly due to the deployment of several new research programs, including the Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) program, Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program, and a new partnership with University of Michigan's Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT). We also granted nearly $300,000 in CTS seed funding to four researchers, helping position them for future funding while allowing them to explore new topics in their fields.

FY25 Outlook

Funding for research in FY25 continues to look positive. Several new programs will begin, including a partnership with MnDOT on the Applied Research in Transportation (ART) program, which aims to get research off the ground quickly. In addition, we will continue to build on current programming—for example, an additional $1.25 million in MATI funding will be provided by the Federal Transit Administration for work with rural communities.

CTS will work with internal partners, such as the Research and Innovation Office and other U of M colleges, to identify and pursue larger, cross-system efforts in areas of University research strength. Center leadership will also continue to explore collaborations with peer institutions to build national relationships with a goal of securing additional funding. Lastly, we expect that researchers will continue to respond to other funding opportunities from federal sources, and CTS will continue to assist them in pursuing new funds at the local, state, and national level.

Featured Measures

The number of research funding sources remains steady, showing our continued effort to diversify the reach and funding stream of the University’s transportation research enterprise. In addition to federal and Minnesota-based funding sources, researchers continue to pursue partnerships and opportunities with other state DOTs.

The number of faculty and staff with active research projects remains steady, showing a strong commitment by University researchers to take advantage of funding opportunities. Researchers from engineering and public affairs disciplines continue to serve as a strong base of faculty and staff engaging in transportation research. In addition, FY24 saw participation from new researchers from the Center for Spirituality and Healing and the College of Education and Human Development.