Environment

A person's hand holding up a small snapping turtle with a road in the background

Wildlife crossings may be the key to reducing collisions between cars and animals—and preserving biodiversity

Green turfgrass growing next to a paved road

Researchers recommend updates to MnDOT’s turfgrass seed list, approval process

Green turfgrass growing on a roadside — As climate conditions change, some grass variet

Researchers standing in a rain garden surrounded by green vegetation

Managing stormwater in a changing climate will require updates to Minnesota’s infrastructure

Researchers in a rain garden filled with green vegetation — Rain gardens, or in

Zero-emissions semi trucks parked in a row

Will hydrogen be a carbon-neutral fuel alternative for freight?

Five zero emissions semi trucks parked in a row

Hydrogen is getting a lot of attention in recent years as a potential fuel source in the transportation sector.

Fallen brown leaves gathered around a storm drain

Stormwater research sees practical application in Twin Cities metro, St. Cloud

Fallen leaves around a storm drain on a Minneapolis neighborhood street

A long-running series of U of M research projects aimed at improving stormwater quality are begin

To reduce snowplow fuel consumption, U researchers harness the power of big data

MnDOT employee walking toward a snowplow

Keeping Minnesota’s roads safe and accessible during the winter comes with a hefty price tag: The

Green plant overlayed with a CO2 graphic

Local governments to have new planning tool to reduce GHG emissions

Strategies improve pollinator roadside habitat, reduce costs

Transportation agencies revegetate roadsides after construction projects to provide road stability, stormwater filtration, and visual appe

Study recommends biodiversity when planting roadside vegetation

Turfgrass installation on a roadside — Roadside research site in October 2018.

An array of solar panels in a green field

How will the energy transition impact transportation?

The transition to sustainable energy is underway in Minnesota and across the country, propelled by both a growing need

Researchers collecting a water sample in winter

Potassium acetate more toxic than expected as road salt alternative

Water quality sampling of a Minnesota stormwater pond

Stormwater control strategies help prevent phosphorus pollution of Minnesota’s waterways

Monarch butterfly landing on a purple flower

Roadside habitats for pollinators

Pollinators and insects provide crucial support for 70 percent of our country’s crops and are an important part of our

Firefighters spraying a plane on a runway

AirTAP forum summary explores challenges and mitigation of ‘forever chemicals’

Sayan Biswas crouching in front of a table covered in equipment.

A $10 plasma igniter produces zero emissions and doubles fuel economy

Research helps cities plan street sweeping, reduce stormwater pollution in a changing climate

A tree-lined neighborhood street with bright fall colors — Photo: Shutterstock

Wide stream running through a culvert beneath a roadway

Researchers develop guidance for fish-friendly culverts in a changing climate

A wide stream running through a culvert under a roadway — Photo: Nick Bentelspacher and Kyle

CTS director Kyle Shelton driving the HumanFIRST simulator

From the director: U research labs’ work furthers mobility, strengthens infrastructure, and improves road safety

CTS director Kyle Shelton sitting in the HumanFIRST Lab's driving simulator

Researchers create tools for building better stormwater management facilities

Climate change, safety, and equity are shaping state and federal infrastructure investments

Paved road washed out by severe flooding — Photo: Shutterstock

Intersection of climate change and transportation examined at CTS conference

Electric vehicle charging stations — Photo: Shutterstock

CTS fall research webinars: Recordings now available

CTS’s fall webinars highlighted a wide range of University of Minnesota research. If you were unable to join us for the live events, recordings of all four webinars are now available.

U researchers and Edina snowplow drivers team up to reduce salt in Minnesota’s waters

U of M researchers recently collaborate

‘Green alleys’ offer stormwater and public health benefits

“Green alleys” provide small patches of green space in urban areas. The alleys, which usually incorporate vegetation, can help prevent environmental degradation by controlling stormwater runoff.

Stormwater drain partially covered with fallen leaves

A long-term approach to green stormwater infrastructure

Strategies for managing st

Autonomous vehicles could eliminate need for roadway stormwater systems

The adoption of autonomous vehicles in coming decades is expected to have a major impact on road design and urban infrastructure—and one of the largest changes could mean the end

Researchers in the field holding runoff collection device

Study recommends less expensive ways to control runoff from low-volume roads

Engineers and agency staff from the project’s six counties assisted researchers throughout the st

Transportation and supply chain decisions play a key role in reducing carbon emissions

Reducing carbon emissions has become a growing concern for governments and companies w

Study reveals how Minnesota industries rely on transportation

The oil boom in North Dakota has generated a lot of wealth in a short amount of time, and resort owners in the Brain

Livable, sustainable cities are focus of global research network

The University of Minnesota has received a $12 million award from the National Scien

Method pinpoints ‘hot spots’ for bus emissions

U of M researchers have developed a way to identify the exact location of “hot spots” for a

Rochester's Destination Medical Center plan

How can local cities become the ‘cities of tomorrow’?

Students apply knowledge to real-world projects—and Minnesota communities benefit

Creating the sustainable, livable cities of tomorrow

Reusing wastewater at Minnesota’s truck stations could help conserve state’s water resources

U of M researchers provided a comprehensive and practical evaluation of what the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) would need to do to develop wastewater reuse systems for its truck stations and rest areas. Two MnDOT truck facilities will soon become more eco-friendly as a result of the findings.

Researchers invent process to produce renewable car tires from trees, grass

Engines lab receives $1.4 million to improve delivery vehicle energy efficiency

The University of Minnesota’s Thomas E.

How can Minnesota reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Roadside habitats aid bumble bees

Freight and Logistics Symposium to explore disaster response

Two people standing in front of Saint Anthony Village City Hall and Community Center

Student project helps city plan for electric vehicle infrastructure

Statewide trends indicate enormous growth potential in the market share for electric vehicles (EVs) in the next decade. The city of St. Anthony, which straddles Hennepin and Ramsey counties in the Twin Cities metro, worked with the U of M last semester to gain guidance for mapping its own electric future. The city is one of the 2019–2020 community partners in the U’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP).

Disrupting bacteria’s communication pathways may thwart harbor infrastructure decay

Managing stormwater runoff with local materials shows cost-saving potential

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