Strategy 1 Harness technological advancements for citywide benefits, ensuring newly adopted technologies support safe street operations and focus on human-centered design.
The actions within this strategy are divided into two categories:
Action we will DOActions we will SUPPORTAction we will do are followed by “DO” and are colored in dark gray, and actions we will support are followed by “SUPPORT” and are colored in light gray.
Learn more about how we get thereIncreased pressure on our curb space, driven by an increase in land use density, e-commerce deliveries and new advanced mobility modes, is pushing us to manage our right of way in a more sophisticated manner In order to serve changing customer needs and stay on track toward a low carbon future, we must price and allocate space based on our 2030 goals and priorities and the true value of the space.
The changes we are making to how our streets are designed and operated to accommodate these changes aims to encourage low carbon travel and keep a human focus on our streets. This strategy focuses on using technology to prioritize making walking, bicycling and taking transit easier and safer.
Actions to harness technological advancements for citywide benefits, ensuring newly adopted technologies support safe street operations and improve the safety and comfort of users.
Technology 1.1
Ensure newly adopted technologies and policies complement and enhance the existing public transportation system.
Supported goals:
Prosperity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works only pursues technologies and policies that complement and enhance the existing public transportation system. This is a general requirement for all pilots and policies.
Technology 1.2
Ensure that all emerging technology pilots adhere to the standards outlined in Technology Action 2.2.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Technology 2.2
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works incorporates these standards into agreements on pilot projects. For example, the Shared Bike and Shared Scooter Program license agreement for 2025 included standards on equity and access.
Technology 1.3
Convert street space for shared mobility services (either high occupancy motor vehicles or micromobility options) and other emerging technologies. These conversions should improve the quality of pedestrians or transit travel.
Supported goals:
Equity Prosperity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works continues to implement programs that convert street space for shared mobility services. Examples include the implementation of new mobility hubs and regional mobility hubs, planned improvements for the on-street bike corral program, and a future secure bicycle parking pilot.
Technology 1.4
Continue to offer Minneapolis as a testing ground for automated vehicle pilots and learn from other cities doing similar work. Pilots should only test a shared model of travel, such as shuttles, and adhere to Technology Action 2.2.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Technology 2.2
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
The City previously collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to host automated vehicle pilots including a 2018 pilot associated with the Super Bowl and 2019 pilot of vehicles along the Midtown Greenway. Minneapolis continues to be open to inquiries from interested public agencies or private companies to pilot automated vehicles in the city.
Technology 1.5
Evaluate impacts of automated vehicles on street design and signal operations and vice-versa, with specific emphasis on the safety of people walking, biking and taking transit, and adjust guidance as necessary.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Design 1.7
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)
Status:
Not Started
Notes:
The City is continuing to monitor industry trends and research developments in this area. The industry is leading in this effort and City is prepared to adjust guidance as necessary to protect the safety of people walking, biking, and taking transit.
Technology 1.6
Ensure traffic signal system compatibility with next generation communication systems through cellular or DSRC (dedicated short-range communication channels) and V2X (vehicle to infrastructure/vehicle/everything communications systems).
Supported goals:
Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2028-2030 (Years 8-10)
Status:
In Progress
Significant milestone(s):
The City continues to monitor and adjust communication systems related to traffic signals as technology advances.
Technology 1.7
Collaborate with partners to research and understand the feasibility of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) operating in the urban context, including permitting, weather implications, data implications, privacy and local impacts such as noise pollution in federal regulatory decisions.
Supported goals:
Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Freight 7.1
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
As of 2025, Public Works staff was appointed to the Governor's CAV advisory council, which may discuss drone technology. The City continues to monitor industry advancements and uses of drones. Research and partnership to establish permitting and policies will be an ongoing process.
Technology 1.8
Prepare for drones for delivery, as an inspection vehicle or for other means of advancing mobility in the city including removal of trips from the system.
Supported goals:
Safety Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Freight 7.1
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2030+ (Years 10+)
Status:
Not Started
Notes:
As of 2025, the adoption of aerial drones for delivery and other mobility contexts have not advanced to the degree expected when this plan was approved. The City continues to monitor industry advancements and potential opportunities for advancing mobility goals.
Technology 1.9
Incorporate elements in street reconstruction projects which support advanced mobility, such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, protected micromobility lanes and designated spaces for pick up and drop off, including flex zones which change purpose by time of day, week or season.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
During street reconstruction projects, Public Works looks for opportunities to incorporate mobility hubs, protected bikeways, and dynamic parking lanes in alignment with city plans and policies and neighborhood context.
Technology 1.11
Support partners' research and develop recommendations for integrating and regulating privately operated, automated transit vehicles as well as employing them within government.
Supported goals:
Safety Mobility
Related actions:
Transit 1.1, Transit 1.3, Transit 1.4, Transit 1.5, Transit 1.6, Transit 1.7, Transit 1.8, Transit 1.9
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
The City continues to monitor research and best practices in automated vehicles (AV) and observe AV shuttle pilots. The City is engaged with the Connected and Automated Vehicle Advisory Council to support possible future state regulation on AVs.
Technology 1.10
Implement Safe Vehicle actions from 2020-2022 Vision Zero Action Plan, focusing on:
- Determining how advanced mobility options are shaping the safety of city streets and responding appropriately;
- Piloting and managing emerging vehicle technologies with the potential to improve safety; and
- Continuing to monitor safety on the City’s scooter share pilot and make adjustments to provider requirements, public education, or street design as appropriate.
Supported goals:
Safety Mobility
Related actions:
Operations 2.1
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
The City has dedicated mobility staff who monitor emerging vehicle technologies. The mobility staff also manage the scooter and bike share programs and adjust requirements annually to continue to improve safety and rider education efforts.
See also actions:
- Walking 8
Use technology to increase pedestrian visibility and comfort - Transit 2.8
Effective bus-only lane operations - Freight 1.3
Shared freight lockers - Freight 7
Regulate new delivery technologies - Street Operations 5
Price and manage the curb