About Program Support
Program Support's primary responsibility is to provide traffic engineering, capacity, and safety analysis for the planning and development of all Metro projects. This includes identifying traffic safety and capacity projects; investigating and responding to all traffic safety concerns or information requests from the public, legislators, media, cities and counties; tort claims, and lawsuits against MnDOT; performing freeway traffic modeling; conducting speed studies on all roads to determine a safe and reasonable speed limit; reviewing externally submitted documents (permits, layouts, environmental documents, corridor studies, etc.); and ensure traffic engineering safety and mobility issues are addressed.
Program Support TSAM Area contacts (PDF)
Other responsibilities
Before and after studies
Before and after studies evaluate crash occurrence 3 years before and 3 years after a safety project to determine the crash rate reduction and the benefit/cost ratio. This will measure our effectiveness and guide us in future funding decisions.
- Key contact - Rabi Pariyar 651-234-7815
Crash Analysis
Crash data is used in planning, programming, design, and maintenance decisions. Crash data is also used for tort claim investigations, insurance claims, lawsuits, cooperative agreements, HSIP submittals, and to provide information to the media and general public.
- Key contact - Eric Lauer-Hunt 651-234-7875
Detailed crash analysis information:
- Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) Safety - Provides traffic safety and crash data resources and publications.
- Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts Reports - The Office of Traffic Safety provides yearly reports that summarize a variety of information related to crashes.
Freeway Analysis
Freeway Analysis' primary responsibilities include applying state of the practice solutions, research, and performance measures to freeway mobility and safety problems. This includes reviewing layouts, interstate access modification requests and traffic reports, and developing low-cost high benefit solutions to congested and crash-prone areas on Twin Cities freeways.
- Key contact - Kevin Sommers 651-234-7844
Freeway/Arterial Modeling
Freeway Modeling provides services for evaluation of interchange and mainline design alternatives, reviews Interstate Access Requests (IAR) statewide, assesses freeway modeling packages, provides training to consultants, and reviews traffic studies.
- Key contact - Kevin Sommers 651-234-7844
Detailed freeway/arterial modeling information:
- FHWA Traffic Analysis Tools - The Federal Highway Administration's website houses a variety of software based analytical procedures and methodologies that support different aspects of traffic and transportation analyses.
- Traffic Software Integrated System (TSIS) - Defines the CORSIM Study.
- Interstate Access Requests (IAR) - The process and guidance for the analysis, documentation, review, and approval of MnDOT requests to the FHWA for changes in the Interstate System access.
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
This program investigates crash problem locations and determines appropriate remedial measures, develops concept plans, determines cost estimates, and programs projects for construction. HSIP evaluates crash data using various prioritized lists to determine safety problems.
- Key contact - Kaare Festvog 651-440-2855
Detailed Highway Safety Improvement Program information:
- Highway Safety Improvement Program - Metro Criteria 2023 (PDF) - This document explains the HSIP requirements and gives guidance to applicants desiring to obtain federal funds under the Federal MAP-21 legislation. It includes, introduction, qualifying criteria, prioritization criteria, required material and special instructions, MnDOT contacts, HSIP timeline flowchart, narrow shoulder paving guidelines, HSIP application form, and project information form.
- Metro Council CMF List (All Severity and Property Damage Only Crashes) (PDF) - This list identifies preferred CMFs that should be used when evaluating a project’s safety benefits.
- Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) HSIP - Provides resources and reference material for the HSIP/Safety Program.
Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) reports
The purpose of an Intersection Control Evaluation is to determine the optimum traffic control for an intersection based on an objective analysis.
- Key Contact - Almin Ramic 612-518-2084
Detailed Intersection Control Evaluation information:
- Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) Manual (PDF) - Provides guidelines to objectively analyze and make recommendations for completing an Intersection Control Evaluation.
- Signal Design Manual (PDF) - The purpose of this manual is to present the fundamental concepts and standard practices related to the design of traffic signals systems within the State of Minnesota. This manual is structured to parallel the progression of decisions, activities, and functions related to the design of traffic signal systems.
- Construction Planning and Design Tools - Various design tools for standardizing the plan design and construction process for signals, lighting, signing, markings, work zone control, and other traffic related aspects of roadway design and operation.
- Roundabout Information - Driving tips, animations, benefits, and additional information.
Speed Zoning
Conducts engineering and traffic investigations to determine reasonable and safe speed limits for all roads (state, county, city, and township) within the eight county Metro District; and recommend speed limits for authorization by the State Traffic Engineer.
- Key contact - Kaare Festvog 651-440-2855
Detailed speed zoning information:
- Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) Speed Limits - Provides speed limit resources and publications.
- Minnesota Speed Monitoring Program - Reporting and analysis of roadway speeds on Minnesota Highways.
Tort Claims
MnDOT’s liability for tort claims is determined according to the Minnesota Tort Claims Act. Most tort claims are claims of negligence. Under Minnesota law, a party is negligent when it breaches a legal duty to another party, directly causing damage to the other party. In the context of claims related to the condition of a highway (such as potholes and debris on the road), MnDOT is negligent ONLY if MnDOT had prior notice of the condition and a reasonable period of time to repair, correct, or warn of the condition. If MnDOT was negligent, MnDOT will compensate claimants for documented personal injury and property damages. Tort claims are reviewed and processed by the MnDOT Office of Chief Counsel.
For additional information and instructions to file a tort claim, visit the MnDOT Tort Claims website.
If you have questions, please email the MnDOT Tort Claims Office at TortClaimsDOT@state.mn.us.