Browsing by Author "Das, Kirti Vardhan"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Funding Surface Transportation in Minnesota: Past, Present and Prospects (Research Brief)
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2011-03) Zhao, Zhirong (Jerry); Das, Kirti Vardhan; Becker, Carol
    This two-page document summarizes Funding Surface Transportation in Minnesota: Past, Present and Prospects (CTS 10-02), a study of funding for past transportation projects, current transportation funding challenges, and transportation funding options for the future.
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    Funding Surface Transportation in Minnesota: Past, Present, and Prospects
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2010-01) Zhao, Zhirong (Jerry); Das, Kirti Vardhan; Becker, Carol
    Transportation systems play an imperative role in enhancing the productivity and the quality of life in the United States. The funding and financing of transportation is a complex process requiring joint efforts of federal, state, and local governments. To meet current and future transportation needs, policymakers must constantly assess the mechanism of transportation finance to ensure adequate and sustainable investment. In recent years, depleting state and local budgets and growing capital and maintenance costs related to transportation have been a common challenge. The state of Minnesota is estimated to have billions in unmet transportation needs to keep up with inflation and the increase in transportation demands. This report reviews the funding of public surface transportation systems (including highways, transit and local roads) in Minnesota. We look at how transportation projects have been funded, identify current and future policy issues likely to affect transportation funding, and go over some of the funding options suggested by other researchers. The aim is to encourage better understanding and management of issues related to transportation funding in Minnesota.
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    Joint development as a value capture strategy for public transit finance
    (Journal of Transport and Land Use, 2012) Zhao, Zhirong Jerry; Das, Kirti Vardhan; Larson, Kerstin
    Synthesizing relevant experiences in US and some Asian countries, this article reviews joint development as a value capture strategy for funding public transit. The review starts from the concept of joint development in transportation, its rationale, and the extent of use. We then provide a classification of joint development models with respect to ownerships and transaction methods. These models are illustrated with case examples from multiple countries. After that, we assess the efficacy of joint development with a set of criteria for transportation finance evaluation, including economic efficiency, social equity, revenue adequacy & sustainability, and political & administrative feasibility. Finally, we conclude and provide recommendations for policy consideration.
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    Linking the Unemployed to Jobs: Integrated Transit Planning and Workforce Development (Research Brief)
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2016-09) Fan, Yingling; Guthrie, Andrew; Das, Kirti Vardhan
    This two-page research brief summarizes the objectives and findings for research report CTS 16-05, Spatial and Skills Mismatch of Unemployment and Job Vacancies.
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    Spatial and Skills Mismatch of Unemployment and Job Vacancies
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2016-05) Fan, Yingling; Guthrie, Andrew; Das, Kirti Vardhan
    Disadvantaged urban workers often find themselves in a double bind. They may be qualified for many entry-level jobs, but have no way of reaching suburban employment centers; they may also be easily able to reach many jobs nearby, but lack the qualifications for them. These two statements describe the interconnected problems of spatial mismatch and skills mismatch. This report studies the current state of spatial and skills mismatch in the region, as well as coordination between transit planning and workforce development and opportunities to improve that coordination. The research finds greatly varying transit access to job vacancies across the region, with some disadvantaged areas having relatively low access. Proposed transit improvements would have modest regional effects on spatial mismatch, but large localized benefits in disadvantaged areas. Important "sweet spots" for workforce development exist, defined as in-demand occupations with low education requirements that are likely to pay a living wage. Transit planners and workforce development professionals both call for greater coordination between their fields. The report recommends redefining "accessible jobs" based on transit access, not geography, considering every stage of connecting workers with jobs, from what skills they have, to what training is available, to what jobs can be reached by transit, as well as collecting regional data on job seekers' skills. The report also recommends identifying employers with labor supply problems, considering disadvantaged workers’ complex schedules, engaging with TMO's and pursuing creative first mile/last mile solutions to connect workplaces with transit lines, as well as pursuing transit-oriented economic development.