Our goal is to keep Michigan's motorists safe, informed, and mobile. That is why MDOT offers many ways to help ease the stress of commuting by providing information that commuters want and need as they make daily travel decisions.
Did you know that millions of people visit the Great Lakes State every year? Whether you are from out of state or right here in Michigan, we want to ensure your travel throughout Michigan is informative, comfortable, and fun.
At MDOT, safety is paramount. It is our goal to improve overall safety for all road users, internal staff, contractors performing work on roads, and emergency responders.
Every year, MDOT produces an updated version of the state transportation map. The department also produces numerous geographic information system maps to assist commuters, tourists, and businesses.
In Michigan, there are three publicly-owned and operated bridges: Mackinac Bridge, Blue Water Bridge, and International Bridge. There are also two privately-owned and operated border crossings: Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
A vibrant and sustainable multimodal transportation system is vital to Michigan's future economic viability and competitiveness. From aviation to public transportation, rail, freight, and marine, MDOT is involved in all modes of transportation.
MDOT's Office of Business Development (OBD) manages external civil rights programs, such as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the On-the-Job Training Program, and the Small Business Program, and ensures compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, equal opportunity requirements for contractors, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
MDOT is committed to ensuring that projects, programs and services are performed without discrimination, under Title VI.
Contractors and vendors who work on federally assisted projects are required to establish and carry out policies to assure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, national origin, age, or disability.
Resources for minorities, women, and other socially/economically disadvantaged persons.
The Bureau of Bridges and Structures is responsible for statewide policy, procedure development, and execution to ensure all bridges and structures are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to ensure safety.
MDOT provides funding for competitive grant and loan programs primarily, but not exclusively, for state and local road agencies for the greatest impact on economic development and job creation.
MDOT's Highway Programs focus on the development and management of the department's roadsides, environmental efforts and policies, and federal-aid highway information.
The Bureau of Transportation Planning develops and implements a comprehensive transportation planning process which results in investments that are consistent with the policies of the State Transportation Commission.
Research Administration supports and promotes innovative research that encourages safe, sustainable and cost-effective transportation solutions throughout Michigan.
MDOT provides technologies and partnerships in order to make the transportation system safer and less congested.
MDOT has ongoing government-to-government communication with 12 federally recognized sovereign tribal governments whose lands are situated within Michigan.
The Office of Communications works with the media to inform the public of MDOT's mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner. The office is responsible for media relations, social media, and website development.
Public participation is integral to efficient, effective and responsive transportation decisions. At MDOT, we want to ensure your voice is not only heard, but makes a difference in moving Michigan forward.
Transportation Reality Check takes on transportation myths and misconceptions, and explains why MDOT does things the way they do.
Resources for the development of quality transportation project documents and services.
Resources for specialized engineering and technical support for construction staff.
Resources for prequalification, bid letting, contract awards, and payments.
Resources for consultant advisories, prequalification information, contracts, and proposals.
Resources for grant and economic development opportunities and project coordination.
Resources for local governmental agencies that regularly require access to state right of way.
Resources for MDOT real estate standards, policies and procedures, and training.
Resources for general work zone mobility guidelines for engineering and technical staff.
Resources for rules, guidelines, restrictions, and permits to safely transport goods.
MDOT's goal is to support the implementation and use of GIS software and hardware through innovative solutions that solve spatial problems and support more informed decisions about Michigan's transportation infrastructure.
The technical training (TT) course schedule lists the various technical training courses offered through the Office of Organizational Development during the construction off-season months for the local agencies and consultants.
The Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students interested in civil engineering and construction management careers, valuable experience by working with professional field staff.
TRAC engages high school and middle school students in solving real-world problems, such as designing bridges or analyzing the environmental effects of building a highway.
The MDOT Transportation Career Pathways Program is committed to helping you build a fulfilling and rewarding career in the transportation industry, even if you're not entirely sure where to start.
MDOT's Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a rotational program that provides new engineers experience in multiple work areas while being assigned a senior-level mentor.
The HBCU TDRP is a unique partnership between MDOT and Michigan colleges and universities to offer on-the-job training to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering or transportation-related careers.
The Veteran Internship Program assists honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces as they transition into the civilian workforce.
Engineering Week videos and lesson plans are all-inclusive resources to show early elementary to high school students the career of civil engineering at MDOT.
At MDOT, we are here to help. If you can't find what you are looking for in our popular topics, frequently asked questions or website search, give us a call at 517-241-2400 or fill out our contact form.
MDOT's seven region offices each handle transportation-related construction, maintenance and programs within the region's geographic boundaries.
Governmental Affairs represents MDOT's interests as new or amendatory legislation is developed or moving through the legislative process.
Commissions and councils provide a public forum for policy development and implementation.
Policies help the department implement its mission of serving and connecting people, communities, and the economy through transportation.
Allows MDOT's regions and engineers to expand their knowledge on how Michigan freeways are operating over time and how they compare to each other.
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Below is a list of MDOT features in FHWA's publication, Innovator, released by the Center for Accelerating Innovation.
Michigan STIC Celebrates 10-year anniversary
On March 21, 2022, the Michigan STIC, or MI-STIC, celebrated its 10-year anniversary. MI-STIC was the first in the Nation to sign a charter. Attendees at the March 21, 2022 meeting. said it was an opportunity to look back at innovation activities over the years and reflect on where they are today, and it was also an opportunity to look forward to the 50-year anniversary and envision what transportation innovation will look like in the year 2062.
Read more in the September/October 2022 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Ultra High Performance Concrete
The use of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to strengthen and repair bridges has grown substantially in the past 15 years. Early on, UHPC was most often used as an option for connecting prefabricated bridge elements. Today, States are using it to repair bridge deck overlays and beam or girder ends and to replace expansion joints with UHPC link slabs.
Read more in the March/April 2022 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
A-GaME
Advanced geotechnical methods in exploration (A-GaME) is a set of technologies promoted by Every Day Counts (EDC) to increase the accuracy of subsurface investigations for improved project design and construction. States are making the most of their site characterization programs by using A-GaME techniques such as measurement while drilling (MWD), cone penetration testing (CPT), and seismic and electrical geophysics.
Read more in the July/August 2022 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME)
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has completed about 30 CPT soundings at eight locations, most near traditional borings. On a culvert replacement project on M-66 near East Jordan, MDOT conducted CPTs before traditional drilling and sampling. The CPT data indicated a weak layer beneath the surface, which was targeted for additional sampling during soil borings. The additional testing and CPT data added valuable information to the decision-making process, leading MDOT to change the culvert type and construction process from part width to detour, which reduced risk to the traveling public and the project.
Read more in the September/October 2020 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Project Bundling
Freeway lighting is another project type that can benefit from bundling. In a metropolitan Detroit project, the Michigan Department of Transportation entered into a P3 agreement to improve lighting on five interstate corridors where just 70 percent of the lights functioned. The project bundled the replacement and maintenance of 15,000 lights for 15 years. The project improved freeway visibility and safety while achieving energy savings by replacing high-pressure sodium and metal halide lights with efficient light-emitting diode fixtures.
Read more in the July/August 2020 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Unmanned Aerial Systems
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan Technical University are collaborating to expand use of unmanned a erial systems (UAS) to meet systems operations and maintenance data needs.
Read more in the July/August 2020 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
AID Demonstration
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will use ABC and prefabricated bridge elements and systems to accelerate construction and reduce traffic delays during the Second Avenue Network Arch Superstructure project, part of the Interstate 94 modernization project in Detroit. MDOT estimates that erecting a network arch instead of a conventional structure will save $2 million in user delays.
Read more in the May/June 2020 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Road Weather Management - Weather-Savvy Roads
One agency using weather-responsive management strategies is the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), an early adopter of integrating mobile operations (IMO) technology to collect data using agency fleet vehicles. MDOT's Weather-Responsive Traveler Information System (Wx-TINFO) brings together environmental and weather-related data from fixed and IMO sources.
The data are used for purposes such as motorist advisories and warnings on roadside dynamic message signs and the Mi Drive traveler information website, which has features such as images from snowplow cameras so travelers can track where they are.
Read more in the January/February 2019 issue of the Innovator newsletter:
Safety Analysis Guidance for Project Development
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is broadening its implementation of DDSA so that it becomes an integral component of safety management and project development decision making, leading to better investment of resources to enhance highway safety. As part of that effort, MDOT used STIC Incentive funds to develop guidance on using DDSA.
The guidance outlines the appropriate level of safety analysis at each stage of project development, including the project scoping, development of project alternatives, and design exception processes. MDOT also created a safety tool matrix and training plan on using safety analysis tools. For information, contact Mark Bott of MDOT.
Read more in the September/October 2018 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
2017
3D Engineered Models
The transportation community is applying 3D engineered models to better connect the design and construction phases on projects and to positively affect safety, costs, maintenance, and asset management on other project phases. The Michigan Department of Transportation and M-1 Rail used 3D modeling on a Detroit project to lower risk, save time, and reduce user delays. Utilities in a main commercial corridor, some dating from the 1890s, were mapped in a 3D model. Modeling reduced the time it took engineers to give direction or find a new path around a utility from 3 days to under an hour, saving about $310,000 on the project.
Read more in the November/December 2017 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
High Friction Surface Treatments
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) installed high-friction surface treatments (HFST) on mainline interstate lanes for the first time. MDOT applied HFST on a 1-mile stretch of I-94 in the southwest part of the State and on a quarter-mile section of I-75 north of Detroit. The agency started using HFST-pavement overlay systems with exceptional skid resistance-on Michigan roads and ramps in 2007.
Read more in the July/August 2017 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian
In Michigan, the Department of Transportation developed a road diet checklist to help planners analyze a road segment for potential reconfiguration. Michigan has road diets totaling more than 50 miles on 60 State corridors and nearly 90 miles on 94 local corridors.
Read more in the May/June 2017 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Road Weather Management-Weather-Savvy Roads
One agency using integrated mobile observations is the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), which equipped 15 vehicles and 310 snowplows to collect camera images of road conditions and data such as air and surface temperature, relative humidity, and brake status. The data help maintenance workers use resources more efficiently. They're also used to post motorist advisories on the MDOT Mi Drive Web site, a mobile application, and changeable message boards.
Read more in the March/April 2017 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
Using Data to Improve Traffic Incident Management
The Michigan Department of Transportation produces a monthly TIM performance report for the Southeast Michigan Traffic Operations Center and the agency's western region. Michigan creates a number of graphs that show average roadway clearance times and incident clearance details.
Read more in the January/February 2017 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
2016
eConstruction
The Michigan DOT, with a 2015 construction program of $1.2 billion, estimates it's saving $12 million a year, eliminating six million pieces of paper and slashing construction modification times from 30 days to just three days with the use of e-construction. The agency rates itself as 99 percent paperless. It uses paper for the tickets on materials, but that will change as it investigates alternatives.
Read more in the March/April 2016 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
High Friction Surface Treatment
The Michigan Department of Transportation conducted a road safety audit on I-94 from Jackson County to the Indiana state line. The RSA-a formal safety performance examination by a multidisciplinary team-was initiated after the corridor experienced a 193-vehicle pileup in winter 2015. The RSA report recommendations include applying high-friction surface treatment on select pavement areas to enhance safety. Representatives of the Michigan State Police, FHWA, Wayne State University and other organizations helped conduct the RSA.
Read more in the March/April 2016 issue of the Innovator newsletter.
