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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At MDOT, zero deaths and serious injuries is our goal and safety is paramount. Every day we strive to improve the overall safety for all road users. Unfortunately, despite our safety efforts, Michigan's road fatalities and serious injuries continue to rise. That is why we have implemented a lifesaving concept called the Safe System Approach.
Zero is our goal. A safe system is how we will get there.
Learn more about this approach and how you can be part of the safe solution.
The Safe System Approach (SSA) is a human-centered, holistic approach that aims to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users. It seeks safety through vehicle and road design, as well as operational changes, rather than relying on behavioral changes. The focus is on all road users. SSA anticipates human mistakes, and through a redundant system, strives to minimize the impact on the human body if a crash does occur. It is the tool that MDOT will use as we work toward achieving our goal of Toward Zero Deaths on Michigan roads.
Prioritize crashes that result in death and serious injuries, since these should not be a consequence of mobility.
People will make mistakes that can lead to crashes, but the transportation system can be designed and operated to anticipate human mistakes and injury tolerances.
Human bodies have limits for tolerating crash forces before death and serious injury occur. It's critical that transportation systems accommodate human vulnerabilities.
Government agencies, industry, advocacy groups, researchers, and the general public all have a role in ensuring that crashes don’t lead to fatal or serious injuries.
Proactive tools should be used to identify and address safety issues and risks, rather than waiting for crashes to occur and reacting after the fact.
Redundancy is essential in reducing risk, preventing death or injuries, and ensures that if one part fails, the other parts are there to protect people.
Making a commitment to zero deaths and reducing injuries on Michigan roads means addressing every aspect of crash risk. It means sharing the responsibility of a crash between the five elements of a Safe System. This redundant system is essential because those five elements are not sufficient to protect the road user on their own.
Safe road users are expected to follow the rules of the road. They should obey traffic laws, make safe choices, and wear seatbelts while in a vehicle. Road design, education, enforcement, and vehicle feedback are also important in assisting and encouraging users to behave safely.
Safe vehicles not only protect the driver, but also protect all road users. Vehicles have active safety measures, such as blind spot detection, emergency braking, and lane keep assist, to help prevent crashes. Passive safety measures, such as seatbelts and airbags, help to prevent serious injuries in the event of a crash. The vehicle owner is responsible for making sure the vehicle is in working order, tires have good treads, and vehicle recalls have been fixed.
Safe speeds mean driving the posted speed limit or at speeds safe for road conditions. There are times motorists should slow down, such as congestion, adverse weather conditions, or poor visibility. Safe speeds help the motorist to avoid crashes and mitigate the severity by reducing the speed at impact.
Safe roads take driver behavior into account when designing the road. Design features and countermeasures can separate users in space and time, as well as anticipate human mistakes and help mitigate the effects if a crash occurred. There are many design features that assist the road user, but some examples include cable median barrier that prevents vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic, roundabouts that reduce congestion and increase safety for vulnerable road users by slowing traffic, bike lanes and sidewalks to separate vulnerable road users, and lighting that benefits all road users.
Post-crash care incorporates all elements related to emergency services, medical care, crash reporting and investigation, traffic incident management, and the justice system. Aspects of post-crash care include providing shorter response times, improving access to trauma hospitals, increasing and improving training to provide accurate crash reporting, and alerting motorists that there is congestion due to a crash or to avoid an area.
Some people may ask what the different is between Safe System Approach (SSA) and Toward Zero Deaths (TZD)? TZD is a statewide campaign that focuses on creating a culture of safety and SSA is the tool used to achieve the zero deaths vision. This approach believes that death and serious injury are unacceptable, humans make mistakes and are vulnerable, the responsibility of a crash is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is crucial. TZD and SSA work together - one cannot exist without the other. A Safe System needs to be in place if we are to achieve zero deaths and serious injuries, and SSA requires a culture that places safety first when making road system investment decisions.
