This report, released by the University of Minnesota’s Intelligent Transportation System’s Institute, examines the impact the I-35 West bridge collapse on August 1, 2007, had on travel behavior in the Twin cities area. The report also examines the travel behavior before and after the event, psychological impacts, and reviews previous studies on major disruptive events both planned and unplanned. Major incidents like the I-35 West bridge collapse have a drastic effect on system operations. The more transportation operating agencies are prepared for severe incidents the better they can mitigate the effect when these unplanned incidents occur.

CMAP believes it is important to better understand the impacts incidents have on a transportation system and how operators could be better informed of the effects certain incidents have on travel behavior.