A State Patrol inspector looks over the credentials of a commercial vehicle operator at the Mn/ROAD facility in Albertville on May 22. The inspection was part of a larger effort to ensure that operators who transport hazardous and other cargo are safe, law-abiding and knowledgeable. Photo by Ted Coulianos

For a 48-hour period beginning at 8 a.m. on May 22, commercial vehicles traveling westbound on I-94 were directed to the Minnesota Road Research Facility in Albertville, where law enforcement agencies used new and existing technologies to evaluate commercial driver and vehicle safety.

The saturation effort, coordinated by the Minnesota State Patrol, was the largest commercial vehicle inspection effort to date.

Different types of inspections are conducted as part of saturations. Vehicle inspections determine whether regulations governing weight, equipment, load securement and hazardous materials handling are met. Driver inspections cover use of seat belts, proper documentation, valid driver’s license, drug and alcohol-related impairment, fatigue and knowledge of cargo.

"We want to ensure that the operators who transport hazardous materials and other cargo on our highways are safe, law-abiding and knowledgeable," said Capt. Ken Urquhart, Minnesota State Patrol.

Dennis Creen, a safety inspector with Motor Carrier Services, reports that the system works well. As part of a license check during the saturation, one driver’s commercial driver’s license raised Creen’s suspicions. The license was passed through a portable ion scanner that detects the presence of illegal chemicals. The scanner indicated a cocaine residue on the license. The truck cab was then scanned, indicating a presence of additional drugs. The State Patrol arrested the driver for operating under the influence of a controlled substance and his vehicle was towed from the inspection site.

"This is not the typical driver on the highway," said Creen. "Most commercial drivers are very professional and concerned with security and safety. A small minority disregard roadway safety."

A commercial vehicle inspector checks a fuel tank. In addition to ensuring safety, the overall initiative will provide data for Mn/ROAD’s outdoor pavement laboratory. Photo by Ben Worel

The safety initiative also will provide data for Mn/ROAD’s outdoor pavement laboratory.

"Mn/DOT is pleased to be partnering with the State Patrol by providing the location for this study to take place," said Gerald Rohrbach, Materials and Road Research director. "Increasing safety on our roadways is crucial to Mn/DOT’s Moving Minnesota efforts."

Agencies that participated in the saturation included Mn/DOT, the Minnesota State Patrol; Minnesota Department of Revenue; Wright and Hennepin county sheriff’s offices; Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Edina Elk River and Plymouth police departments; Minnesota National Guard; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Internal Revenue Service, and Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Specific data indicating number of vehicles inspected, violations detected and out-of-service orders issued were not available at press time.

By Mary Meinert

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The Senior Management Team May 21 decided no changes would be made in the Office of Bridges and Structures and the Office of Materials and Road Research as part of the department’s Shaping Our Future-Phase II effort.

Phase I of Shaping Our Future focused on the change management process, which evaluated whether or not to distribute office functions to the districts and Metro Division. Phase II is evaluating the level of service needed to meet the priorities of each office.

The Office of Bridges and Structures was among the first to undergo Phase II evaluation. It was found that the office was meeting demands in all areas with a need to focus more on bridge standards and research policies. SMT directed the office to use consulting firms to supplement staff in order to meet office priorities.

SMT also decided to continue the current level of effort in the Office of Materials and Road Research. As part of the office, Mn/ROAD will continue to focus on cooperative efforts with other agencies while maintaining state and national leadership.

See Mn/DOT’s ihub for more information about the Shaping Our Future effort.

By Daneeka Marshall-Oquendo

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An audit conducted by the Legislative Auditor and released May 28 found that Mn/DOT adhered to all Minnesota statutes in addressing the safety concern at the interchange of Hwy 55 and Hwy 62 in south Minneapolis.

"The audit confirms that hiring Minnesota Transit Constructors to prepare this interchange for winter was the right choice," Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg said.

Last fall, when authorizing Minnesota Transit Constructors to begin work before a contract was approved, Mn/DOT did not follow Department of Administration policy. However, Tinklenberg noted, "While the policies of another state agency were not strictly followed, it is important to note that state law was adhered to.

"We had just six weeks to prepare the interchange for winter. Not acting quickly could have exposed drivers to dangerous conditions and the state to considerable legal risks and potential damages, estimated to approach $750,000, that could be caused by delaying light rail transit construction," he added.

For more information, read the Mn/DOT news release or click here to view what the news media had to say, including:

• Audit: Highway contract was legal (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

• MnDOT no-bid contract didn't break the law (Star Tribune)

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Bridges on Minnesota’s trunk highway system are less likely to fail if struck by a barge as occurred recently in Oklahoma because they are designed to withstand the force created by ice loading pressure during the winter.

The collapse occurred May 26 on an I-40 bridge over the Arkansas River when a barge struck a pier on the 35-year-old bridge, causing a 600-feet long section to fall into the river. Officials report the mishap caused 13 deaths.

Dan Dorgan, state bridge engineer, said state design standards give Minnesota’s bridges an extra margin of safety.

"For the past 10 years, we have designed bridge piers to withstand impacts from barges in accordance with revised codes nationally," he said.

If a barge does strike a bridge, he said, a team of inspectors checks for damage. If there is damage or potential damage, the bridge is immediately closed to protect the public and to give the inspectors extra time to conduct a more thorough examination of the structure.

According to Federal Highway Administration standards, 86 percent of Minnesota’s bridges are rated in good condition compared with 72 percent nationwide.

Mn/DOT inspects bridges yearly except for those meeting certain criteria, which then are checked every two years.

Dorgan adds, however, that the state’s bridges are aging rapidly and experiencing significant increases in traffic and wear that shorten a bridge's service life.

"Without an increase in current funding," he said, "we may not be able to maintain the condition of our bridges."

By Craig Wilkins

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Steve Lund, Rochester assistant district engineer for contract administration

Rochester/District 6 revamped its management structure to increase its responsiveness to current and future challenges.

The district announced that Steve Lund, the Rochester area maintenance engineer, will serve as assistant district engineer for contract administration. His appointment becomes effective June 19.

In his new position, Lund will manage the district’s construction, traffic, materials and survey offices.

In addition, Tony Hames will resume his former responsibilities as ADE for program delivery, managing the design, planning and right-of-way functions.

Until Lund’s appointment, Hames also managed the areas now assigned to Lund.

In the maintenance area, Jeffrey Vlaminck, currently the Willmar regional engineer with Willmar/District 8, will become area maintenance engineer at Owatonna. Vlaminck’s appointment begins June 19. Bernie Arsenau, currently the acting AME at Owatonna, will assume responsibilities as the AME at Rochester also on June 19.

Jeffrey Vlaminck, Owatonna area maintenance engineer

Tony Hames, Rochester assistant district engineer for program delivery

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Safer roads, more affordable homes in some locations, faster right-of-way acquisition and less erosion of streambanks are goals of several research projects recently announced by Mn/DOT’s Office of Research Services and the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies.

Some projects proposed for 2003 have been approved, but others are still in the evaluation stage, according to Adeel Lari, Research Services director.

"This summer, Research Services will be holding focus groups with Mn/DOT leadership to develop a research agenda on policy issues for 2003," he said.

Approved studies include:

Safe use of ATIS with cell phones

This set of studies will look at drivers’ use of Advanced Traveler Information Systems with cell phones. Driving performance and safety indices will be studied as they relate to the complexity of the menu structure and information content of the 511 traveler information service. The study will see how the 511 service affects driving safety and drivers’ ability to respond to driving conditions. Researchers will develop recommendations about access methods for using cell phones.

Guidelines for bioengineering in the Upper Midwest

This study will look at the effectiveness of methods currently used to stabilize streambanks near bridges and roadways.

It will propose research on soil bioengineering techniques to stabilize streambanks near bridges and roadways and suggest areas for further research.

The study will also evaluate potential sites for an outdoor bioengineering research facility. The design aids that are currently available don’t apply well to Minnesota because they use vegetation that can’t thrive in Minnesota’s climate.

Digital parcel maps

This project will modernize Minnesota’s land records by collecting current parcel data and creating digital parcel maps of the state. This could speed up right-of-way acquisitions and simplify recording of documents and plats.

Location efficient mortgages and car sharing

This study, conducted by the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, will evaluate the effectiveness of location efficient mortgages and car sharing programs on land use, the environment, transportation system and housing issues.

Location efficient mortgages have the potential to make it easier for people to buy homes in pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods with good transit. Lenders would calculate mortgages with formulas that account for savings from car sharing and reduced car usage.

For more information about upcoming research, contact Dave Johnson, Research Services assistant director, at dave.johnson@dot.state.mn.us or 651/282-2270.

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