Chapter 5 – How will we guide ourselves moving forward?

Strategies

Define priority networks for all modes based on connectivity and access to destinations and integrate the networks into decision-making. This means identifying the connections essential for local, regional, statewide, national or global travel so Minnesotans can reach the destinations important to them. This may include both existing and proposed facilities. Priority networks should be defined at the local, regional, statewide, national and global levels. For example, MnDOT identified the state bicycle network and state priority freight network. Metropolitan planning organizations, regional development organizations and local governments define local and regional bicycle routes. Examples include the Metropolitan Council’s Twin Cities Regional Bicycle System Study, the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments 2040 Regional Bikeway Map or the regional development organizations’ DevelopMN Initiative which has a strategy to identify a coherent network of the most critical roadway connections to maintain over the next 20 years. Transit systems should meet minimum service guidelines which identify the number of hours a transit agency provides service during weekdays and weekends based on the community’s size.

Identify and prioritize multimodal solutions that have a high return on investment. Selecting investments and operational strategies that have a high return on investment demonstrates sound management of limited resources. Calculating return on investment is not limited to only financial considerations. It also includes social, economic and environmental factors such as safety, noise, travel time, vehicle operating costs, surrounding land use and context, air quality and wetland impacts to name just a few.

Identify and prioritize low-cost improvements to accelerate social, economic and environmental benefits when large-scale solutions cannot be implemented in the foreseeable future. Funding and other constraints may delay or prevent transportation agencies from implementing long-term solutions. In these instances, there may be opportunities to provide lower-cost improvements that can address the transportation need in the short-term until funding is available to provide a long-term solution. For example, MnDOT identified the conversion of US 10 between Coon Rapids and St. Cloud to a freeway to address safety issues as a long-term solution. Currently, this solution is not financially feasible. As a result, MnDOT also identified and is implementing a variety of short-term strategies to address the immediate safety challenges until the funding for the freeway conversion is available.

Support and develop multimodal connections that provide equitable access to goods, services, opportunities and destinations. Transportation connects people to their daily needs and provides them with links to goods, services and opportunities. Every day we take numerous trips - going to work or school, shopping, seeing a doctor, visiting friends or taking a vacation. How we make these trips may vary depending on such things as the travel options available, distance traveled, time constraints or even the weather. While the type of connections – roads, transit, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, water or air – available will vary by geographic area, the connections should be accessible regardless of age, race, national origin, language, income or individual ability. This includes ensuring the transportation system meets the transportation goals and strategies identified in Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan and the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and considers the needs of individuals without stable housing. It also means ensuring these connections are not just available but useable. For example, there may be a bus route to a destination, but the scheduled times or hours of service may not make it a viable option to meet user needs.

Provide greater access to destinations and more efficient, affordable and reliable movement of goods and people throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. As the major population and economic center in the state, the efficient movement of goods and people into and throughout Twin Cities is critical to the state’s overall economy and quality of life. Delays in the metro area can cause delays in the state’s overall transportation network. For example, an intercity bus or semi that is delayed in the metro area will arrive later at its next destination, which may cause additional delays at other stops. Improving system efficiency and providing bottleneck relief in the metro area has statewide benefits. Multimodal options, including transit, bicycling and walking, are important contributors to the efficient movement of people throughout the region. A better defined and connected freight network—air, rail, truck, ports, waterways and intermodal facilities—will provide greater accessibility and more efficient movement of goods contributing to the overall economy and quality of life of the region and state. The Metropolitan Council has identified active traffic management, the development of the MnPASS Express Lane system, and the expansion of the metropolitan area transit system as primary focus areas for reducing congestion and improving safety.

Improve freight operations and intermodal connections for better access to the transportation system. Important freight connections include links to manufacturers and distribution centers, farm-to-market routes, forestry access, terminals on the rail, waterway and air cargo systems, and others. Protecting and improving these connections is an essential part of ensuring the state’s prosperity. As an example, the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council formed a Harbor Technical Advisory Committee to discuss harbor-related issues and concerns, promote the harbor’s economic and environmental importance to the community, and provide sound planning and management recommendations to decision makers. MnDOT completed the Statewide Freight System Plan and several regional-level freight studies. MnDOT uses the plan and studies to inform the planning and decision making process.

Provide transportation options that improve multimodal connections between workers and jobs. Deciding whether to accept a job or what jobs are available to an individual are influenced by several factors such as the cost of housing and the availability and cost of transportation. There are instances in Minnesota where there is a mismatch between where workers live and where jobs are available. Expanded transit service, shuttle service, carpools and telecommuting are some tools that can make jobs more accessible.

Develop and improve multimodal transportation options within and between cities and regions. People and goods move within and between cities and regions using air transportation, passenger rail, intercity bus, transit and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. The type of transportation used – whether air, rail or bus – depends on numerous factors such as travel time, cost, availability and personal preference to name a few. Providing a variety of transportation choices that connect regional economic centers as well as providing options for moving within a city supports the state’s economy and allows everyone – regardless of age, race, national origin, language, income or individual ability – to access goods, services and opportunities. Providing these connections also encourages the use of other forms of transportation besides driving alone.

Develop and improve connections between modes of transportation. Not only is it important to provide multimodal connections within and between cities and regions, it is also important to support connections between the different forms of transportation. For example, located in downtown Duluth, the Duluth Transit Authority opened the Duluth Transportation Center, a facility that serves transit and intercity bus. It also includes a parking ramp and connections to the city’s skyway system and trails. Planners envision future connections with intercity passenger rail. Connections between modes are also important for the movement of freight. Intermodal freight terminals provide multimodal access to national and international markets. The Twin Cities have two rail intermodal (truck to rail) container terminals: BNSF’s St. Paul Intermodal Facility and CP’s Twin Cities Intermodal Terminal.

System Stewardship

• Chapter 2 - Existing Transportation System
• Chapter 3 - Economy
• Chapter 3 - Environment
• Chapter 3 - Technology
• Chapter 4 - Asset Management
• Chapter 6 - Climate Change and Environmental Quality
• Chapter 6 - Next Steps

Strategically build, manage, maintain and operate all transportation assets. Rely on system data and analysis, performance measures and targets, agency and partners’ needs, and public expectations to inform decisions. Use technology and innovation to get the most out of investments and maintain system performance. Increase the resiliency of the transportation system and adapt to changing needs.

What this is about

After decades of building new corridors and facilities, MnDOT and transportation partners are increasingly shifting their focus to maintaining the existing transportation system. As stewards of the system, transportation partners must protect the massive public and private resources invested in the transportation system.

System stewardship addresses three concepts: asset management, system management and system resiliency.

Asset management is a systematic process of cost-effectively operating, maintaining and upgrading assets once they are built or purchased. Transportation assets include all aspects of the transportation system such as travel ways, vehicles and support facilities. This also includes data, software, and research that helps improve materials and practices to maximize the useful life of an asset.

System management involves planning for the appropriate changes that will allow the system to adapt to future needs. In strategic system management, it is essential to set priorities and manage based on those priorities. This includes making trade-offs when necessary. It is critical to think in terms of risk and to assess likely impacts to Minnesota’s quality of life, economy and the environment.

System resiliency refers to reducing vulnerability and ensuring redundancy and reliability to meet essential travel needs. The transportation system is vulnerable to many types of threats and risks, such as severe weather, acts of terrorism and cyber-attacks. Advanced preparation as well as mitigation and adaptation to threats and risks helps to ensure the people and goods are able to continue to travel during emergencies.

Performance Measures

Table 5-4 lists the existing MnDOT performance measures that are related to the System Stewardship objective. Additional performance measures are proposed to be developed. These proposed measures are identified in Chapter 6.

Table 5-4: System Stewardship performance measures