Director’s Message

Kyle Shelton

Measuring and broadening impact is a critical goal of any institution. The University of Minnesota System is committed to this goal through its MPact 2025 plan. Via this effort, the University is working to ensure that all research, outreach, and service work undertaken improves the quality of life for Minnesotans and that we share insights created at the U with the world.

At CTS, we wholly embrace the MPact commitment and work every day with our partners to ensure that each project is directly addressing critical transportation issues. Our impacts take multiple forms, and these are visible in the projects highlighted throughout this report.

You’ll see examples of researchers working with agencies to improve services and reduce environmental impacts and others sharing research insights directly with Minnesota legislators. There are also examples of University researchers learning with and from communities about pressing transportation priorities and providing ideas that help address them, such as the work of Greg Lindsey and John Hourdos with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

And, you’ll find examples of CTS education and engagement efforts, such as those in the MnCAV Ecosystem work, preparing current and future transportation-sector workers to respond to changing trends and technologies.

Crucially, CTS’s work addresses challenges that are both short and long term. Much of it deals with immediate, pressing needs, and our outputs contribute directly to implementation projects. Other efforts are foundational research projects that provide platforms from which to launch broader, forward-looking initiatives that will help prepare Minnesota for future transportation challenges and opportunities. The ability of CTS and our partners to address transportation needs in both the present and future is a unique strength of university-based research, one we intend to build up in the years to come.

My thanks to all our partners and the CTS team for contributing to another successful year of impactful work, especially given the tumultuous and trying times we all confront. We are glad to share this small view of our impact with you and look forward to working together toward more in the years ahead.

— Kyle Shelton, CTS Director