Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota

Abstract submissions are currently open for the 2024 Reconnecting Communities Summit, set for Sept. 11–13 in Saint Paul, MN. The event, hosted by ReConnect Rondo, calls for a national restorative movement to advance policy and investment in revitalizing communities decimated by transportation policy. Learn more and submit an abstract by July 31: https://lnkd.in/ghcPzyvp

Congrats to U of M grad students Nitin Varyani, Jason Carpenter, Steven Sleder, Wei Ye, and Rostand A. K. Fezeu on receiving the Graduate Runner Up Award during the Student Poster Competition at the 2024 Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT) Global Symposium on Mobility Innovation last month! 🎉 Their research, "Impact of Data Compression on AI Perception Tasks for Teleoperated Autonomous Vehicles," was advised by CTS Scholar Zhi-Li Zhang. See their poster: https://lnkd.in/gGJn6JAf

Don't forget to register for our July 9 webinar to learn about new resources for recruiting and retaining transportation maintenance professionals! The webinar will introduce a new website that will offer sharable videos, brochures, a training guide, job board, case studies, and more to promote transportation maintenance careers at local agencies. Register: https://lnkd.in/gqvAaDv6

Public transit systems are instrumental for reducing auto travel and related greenhouse gas emissions, but how much of a reduction depends in part on how transit lines operate. A recent study by researchers at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs examined the influence of four types of right-of-way on transit ridership and emissions: https://lnkd.in/geVRWnKZ #publictransit #emissions #rightofway

The Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Program has announced $1.2 million in grants to eight community demonstration projects across the US that aim to improve people’s mobility and access to daily needs. The selected projects will support groups impacted by transportation insecurity, such as caregivers, low-income families, second- and third-shift workers, older adults, and women. Projects begin in August and run through July 2025. Congratulations to the awardees! 👏 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g5Q9rVM6 Federal Transit Administration Toole Design Group Center for Neighborhood Technology The LOT Project City of Arlington, Dental Health Arlington, Center for Transforming Lives Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Union Capital, The Neighborhood Developers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Action for Children North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc (NECIC) Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice Moving Maine Network, Greater Portland Council of Governments San Joaquin Council of Governments #mati #mobility #transportationinsecurity

Wearable augmented reality technology—such as smart glasses and watches—might help alert roadway workers to danger. But a key question remains: would workers accept it? U researcher Nichole Morris, Ph.D. is part of a team working to find out: https://lnkd.in/gKvuY9Tu #workzonesafety #augmentedreality

CTS is hiring a Program Editor! We're looking for an individual skilled in editing, writing, and project management to join our Communications team. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gemqNWWJ #jobopening

In 2018, researchers at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory discovered that mussel spat rope made of plastic worked well as a low-cost way to help fish pass through culverts. However, long-term testing revealed that the rope leaches microplastics. In new work, researchers led by Jessica K. explored a prototype culvert retrofit using sustainable, non-plastic materials: https://lnkd.in/gX4w2HSe

Congrats to Accessibility Observatory director Eric Lind, who is part of one of this year's successful project teams! He'll be working with others across the U on an effort to map and reform land-use zoning in Minnesota. 👏

For older adults, transportation means freedom and access to vital services. But for those who can’t drive—especially in MN's rural areas—maintaining mobility can be a challenge. CTS and the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation teamed up for a webinar that explored transportation and aging in rural communities: https://lnkd.in/gqZkN6qx #ruraltransportation #olderadults #mobility