UGPTI

During the week of June 1-7, 2025, trained observers visited 320 sites across 16 counties to collect seat belt use observations for drivers and right front-seat passengers in vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 10,000 lbs. North Dakota’s seat belt use study provides statistically reliable data from a field survey of driver and right front-seat passenger seat belt use. ugpti.org/resources/repo…

Is the future of statewide delivery by drones already here? doi.org/10.1155/atr/99…

At the 2026 Eastern CMV Safety Summit, Brenda Lantz provided an overview of the NDSU-UGPTI Commercial Vehicle Safety Center’s core activities, current research initiatives, and strategic contributions to improving commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety nationwide. She highlighted the series of FMCSA-supported Western CMV Safety Summits focused on emerging CMV safety priorities, as well as key research initiatives including exploring autonomous truck deployments in rural and northern regions, quantifying the benefits of creating new truck parking spaces, and the development of a confidential interview protocol for the FMCSA Crash Causal Factors Program. ugpti.org/resources/pres…

The December 2025 North Dakota Dry Bean Stock Report is now online. ugpti.org/resources/bean/

Annual Awards Nomination Form Available Do you know someone who's contribution to the transportation industry has put North Dakota and the region on the fast track? Do you know someone who has been a leader, a builder, a facilitator, a planner, or a visionary working on behalf of transportation? Please introduce them to us. That individual may deserve one of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute's annual awards. Nominations are due by May 1, 2026. ugpti.org/awards/

Central Dakota 2025 Base Travel Demand Model Development and Calibration – The model, developed for the Central Dakota Metropolitan Planning Organization (Minot, Surrey and Burlington) incorporated new data, reflects current real-world travel patterns and integrates advancements in transportation modeling techniques to allow accurate forecasts of traffic demand. ugpti.org/resources/repo…

Innovative Use of Existing Infrastructure Expands Minot’s Traffic Data Network to 19 Intersections This project, spanning the year 2025, added 17 City intersections, increasing the total number of data-reporting locations to 19. Similar to the North Dakota DOT-sponsored pilot project, this phase of traffic data collection and reporting leveraged existing infrastructure, eliminating the need to purchase or maintain additional traffic data collection devices. The previously underutilized capabilities of existing transportation infrastructure, combined with UGPTI’s cross-cutting expertise and innovative approach, have made it possible to collect traffic data 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. ugpti.org/resources/repo…

National Tribal Road Maintenance Symposium Set for May 5-7 The event will be held in Box Elder, SD, just outside of Rapid City, and will focus on advancing the skills of Tribal leaders, transportation administrators, managers, equipment operators, maintenance crews and others. Experts will share experience and knowledge on improving road maintenance practices and advancing Tribal transportation infrastructure and safety. northernttap.org/events/road-ma…

The ND Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP) recently launched a “Safety Warrior” art contest designed to teach fourth and fifth graders about roadway safety. The program is a joint effort of NDLTAP, the Western Dakota Energy Association, and North Dakota Vision Zero. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

The @FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently awarded two grants totaling more than $1.9 million to the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (@UGPTI) at North Dakota State University @NDSU. The awards will support two projects to enhance commercial vehicle safety and explore deployment of autonomous trucks in rural areas. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

Congratulations to Will Davis, an M.S. student in mechanical engineering at @ColoradoStateU, for being named the Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability 2026 Student of the Year. Will was honored with other award winners from across the country during the Council of University Transportation Centers awards ceremony January 10. Pictured from left to right are @ugpti Associate Director Brenda Lantz, UGPTI Director Denver Tolliver, Davis, and Pan Lu, @NDSU professor and UGPTI Advanced Research Fellow.

Focused Updates Provide Smarter Future for Bismarck-Mandan MPO’s ITS Regional Architecture: A comprehensive update with contributions from ATAC researchers includes: new stakeholders (including ATAC), refined service packages that align with MPO objectives, improved clarity and usability, new agreements that strengthen operational reliability, project architecture guidance, and an updated ITS inventory. This collaborative effort with participation from engineering, information technology, public works, and highway departments, emergency management, law enforcement, fire services, ambulance units, highway patrol, and the sheriff’s office played a crucial role in developing a robust, actionable framework to steer the region’s ITS initiatives. ugpti.org/resources/repo…

Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver are recommending changes to how municipalities collect data on signalized intersections so that pedestrian safety can be improved. With the knowledge that pedestrian fatalities account for approximately 17% of road fatalities, and a frightening number of those occur at intersections where pedestrians have the right-of-way, the researchers studied how and where traffic signals for left-turning traffic that provided protection for pedestrians were implemented. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

Are truck–drone hybrids the missing link in rural agricultural logistics? doi.org/10.3390/drones…

From road signs and culverts to pavements and roadbeds, North Dakota’s county road superintendents and engineers must make complex decisions about how to use scarce dollars to manage, maintain, and upgrade millions of dollars of transportation assets that are critical to the livelihood and quality of life of area residents. Over the last decade, the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI), with support from the N.D. Department of Transportation and the N.D. Legislature, has developed an online tool to help guide those decisions. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

Local agencies across North Dakota are ensuring that bridges are safe and in service longer thanks to training provided by UGPTI’s North Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP). ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

A closer look at truck crashes during severe winter weather in North Dakota is yielding clues on how to reduce risks and travel disruptions on the state’s interstate highways. The research was conducted by researchers at the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver found that mobile sensing capabilities found in newer iPhones can be a cost-effective way to assess if sidewalks, curb ramps, and other infrastructure are accessible to those with disabilities. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…

Research at South Dakota State University is leading to improved compaction of roadway base materials, resulting in time savings, safer testing procedures, and longer-lasting pavements. ugpti.org/about/news/vie…