Fact Sheet
The MTO Fact Sheet (1.2 MB PDF) describes the mission and capabilities of the Minnesota Traffic Observatory.
About the MTO
The Minnesota Traffic Observatory (MTO) is a transportation laboratory focusing on testing and evaluation of new transportation management and operational strategies and traveler information technologies. The MTO also supports the ITS Institute’s research, education and outreach efforts, providing laboratory facilities for graduate and undergraduate students as well as educational resources for course instructors and transportation professionals.
Mission and goals
The primary research mission of the Minnesota Traffic Observatory is to support research in monitoring, management, and simulation of traffic systems. The MTO works in partnership with other University of Minnesota research facilities including the HumanFIRST (Human Factors Interdisciplinary Research in Surface Transportation) Program and the Intelligent Vehicles Laboratory to enable a full spectrum of Intelligent Transportation Systems research.
MTO facilities are used by faculty and students in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, computer science, and affiliated disciplines.
The MTO hosts training events for transportation professionals, covering topics such as the effective use of traffic simulations for capacity analysis and planning.
The MTO is also dedicated to supporting transportation education at the University. Members of the MTO staff work with faculty members to develop interactive laboratory modules that help students understand advanced topics in traffic management.