Browsing by Author "Douma, Frank"

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The ABC Parking Ramps in Minneapolis: A Unique Past. A Visionary Future.
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2019-03) Douma, Frank; Cao, Jason; Corcoran, Heidi; Fan, Yingling; Lari, Adeel; Rohde, Barbara; Alarcon, Frank; Dame, Rachel; Karner, Kevin
In 1992 the ABC Ramps were completed in downtown Minneapolis as part of the I-394 construction project. The purpose of the ramps is to have programs that support efforts to reduce congestion and improve air quality by reducing SOV trips from the I-394 corridor. At the time the ramps were built, the ramp goals were aligned with the city of Minneapolis' parking system goals and the I-394 Corridor Management Plan. Since that time, however, the transportation modes, technologies, and plans surrounding the ramps have changed as well as the travel behaviors of the users. As the ramps reach the midpoint of their design life, this study examined the programs, policies, and goals developed for the ramps to ensure they continue to address current transportation challenges and align with regional stakeholder's goals and emerging trends, behaviors, and technology. The project culminated in a series of recommendations with implementation strategies for the ABC ramp management to improve its practice towards reducing congestion and improving air quality in downtown Minneapolis through innovative programming and marketing.
Advancing Social Equity with Shared Autonomous Vehicles: Literature Review, Practitioner Interviews, and Stated Preference Surveys
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2022-01) Fan, Yingling; Wexler, Noah; Douma, Frank; Ryan, Galen; Hong, Chris; Li, Yanhua; Zhang, Zhi-Li
This report examines preferences and attitudes regarding the implementation and design of a hypothetical publicly-funded Shared Automated Vehicle (SAV) system in the Twin Cities metro area. We provide a brief literature review before delving into our main findings. First, we discuss a series of interviews in which officials at local planning agencies were asked about their vision for SAV in the Twin Cities. According to these interviews, SAV could be especially useful in solving first-and-last-mile problems and connecting with already existing transit and on-demand transportation infrastructure. We then analyze data sourced from an originally designed digital survey instrument implemented over social media in 2020 and specifically targeted at Twin Cities residents. Data from the survey emphasize that people who currently experience barriers to transportation are more likely to value SAV highly. The data also give insight into design considerations, emphasizing flexibility in payment and booking and the importance of security features. Finally, we examine data from a similar survey administered at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair, which we use to gauge preferences toward SAV among people living in the Twin Cities exurbs and Greater Minnesota.
Best Practices for Addressing Youth Employment and Training Transportation
(Minnesota Council on Transportation Access, Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2018-06) Noble, Charles; Douma, Frank
The Minnesota Council on Transportation Access (MCOTA) sponsored a study of youth employment transportation issues beginning in the Spring of 2018. The council required the report detail state and national examples of inventive programs that facilitate youth accessing jobs. The survey, which only contained voluntary questions, captured information on respondent employment type, location, transportation mode, transportation issues, and demographic information. The analysis of the survey data showed that youth throughout the state are likely to face transportation issues. Employed and unemployed youth were roughly as likely to encounter transportation issues. The same occurred with disability status. However, breaking the data into regions – urban, rural, and suburban – showed marked difference. A much smaller proportion of respondents in urban areas reported transportation issues than the other two regions. It was then shown that unemployed youth with disabilities, particularly in suburban and rural areas, were most likely to face transportation issues. Viewing the transportation modes of each region, it is clear that areas where commuting by car, whether driving alone or carpooling, is associated with a higher likelihood of facing transportation issues. The report then offers recommendations tailored to the issues identified, highlighting the importance of transit and walking in areas with enough population density to support it, providing individualized rides to youth in less dense areas, and supporting transportation coordinating councils to ensure the transportation needs of youth throughout the state are met. The recommendations are further divided into manageable short, medium, and long-term goals. Finally, national, state, and local example transportation programs that align with the recommendations are listed.
Challenges and opportunities of autonomous vehicles to urban planning: Investigation into transit and parking
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-10) Wu, Xinyi; Douma, Frank; Cao, Jason
Using a series of qualitative approaches, this report examines the potential impacts of autonomous vehicles (AV) on transit and parking systems. A literature review helped us identify three orders of general impacts caused by the development of AV, as well as their specific effects on transit and parking. Based on the results of the literature review, we organized two focus groups and held in-depth discussions regarding the impacts of AV with planning practitioners from the Minneapolis-St Paul metropolitan area. The analytical results showed that opinions differ regarding what AV's specific effects might look like. Nevertheless, all of the literature as well as participants of the focus groups agreed that AV will have significant impacts and corresponding planning policies need to be developed.
Criminal Liability Issues Created by Autonomous Vehicles
(Santa Clara Law Review, 2012-12-13) Douma, Frank; Aue Palodichuk, Sarah
Dakota County Human Services Research and Transportation Planning: Strategic Action Plan
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2014-03) Mathison, Arlene; Baas, Gina; Cowan, Janene; Douma, Frank; Narvaez, Guillermo; Garry, Thomas
Transportation is essential to a full life: providing access to jobs, school, medical care, recreation, and other basic needs. Those who can afford and are able to use personal vehicles do not experience significant barriers to getting where they need to go. For those who cannot drive a personal vehicle, the story is very different. Dakota County engaged a team from the University of Minnesota, led by the Center for Transportation Studies, to conduct collaborative stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, emerging practices research, and strategic planning in order to assist County government with identifying strategic opportunities to facilitate improved transit and client transportation services in Dakota County. The work was conducted from October 2013 through February 2014. This report summarizes the results of the research and engagement activities, and outlines seven recommendations for the County to improve the coordination, availability, accessibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety of human service transportation.
Developing ITS to Serve Diverse Populations
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2006-11) Douma, Frank
In 2003, the State and Local Policy Program (SLPP) at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs began research into how Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies can be used to deliver transportation services to an increasingly diverse population in Minnesota. The research objective was to identify the nature of the gap between the emerging needs and existing services, and to propose ways of using technology to bridge the gap, both in terms of providing better transportation options and in reducing the cost of these options. Using the information obtained from emerging demographic data, the 2003 study focused on identifying transportation challenges and opportunities for several different populations, with a particular focus on those that do not or cannot drive. This project continues this general theme through a series of analyses of ITS applications that appear most promising to improve mobility and access for Minnesota's increasingly diverse population. These applications include technologically advanced Community-Based Transit, Car Sharing, use of ITS to implement Value Pricing through conversion of an HOV lane to a High-Occupancy/Toll (HOT) lane, and evaluation of web-based Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS).
Enhancing Managed Lanes Equity Analysis
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2023-04) Douma, Frank; Fonseca-Sarmiento, Camila; Lari, Adeel; Murphy, Daniel; Morris, Paul; Zhao, Jerry
Planning and environmental studies involving managed lanes still have difficulty determining how to effectively evaluate project alternatives from an equity perspective. To most people, "equity" is ubiquitous with income, but this is a narrow focus that limits the scope of what can be considered equity, and indeed this can be true when it comes to managed lanes. As the Minnesota Department of Transportation analyzes the expansion of E-ZPass corridors, it is imperative it evaluates project alternatives from an equity perspective. The results of this study suggest that E-ZPass lane users are more racially diverse than users in the travelsheds. In two out of the four E-ZPass lane corridors, a higher proportion of E-ZPass lane users have household incomes below $100,000 compared to the travelsheds. Overall, there is a lower percentage of people with disabilities among E-ZPass lane users than those in the travelsheds. These results are driven by the makeup of E-ZPass lane users. In addition, this research project demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating quantitative and qualitative equity measures into the alternatives analysis process. The demonstration shows that the quantitative measures are all feasible with existing tools, provide meaningful information to the alternatives analysis process, and can be put into practice immediately.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of State Toward Zero Deaths Programs
(Center for Excellence in Rural Safety, 2012-11) Munnich, Lee W. Jr.; Douma, Frank; Qin, Xiao; Thorpe, J. David; Wang, Kai
Since 2001 approximately 30 U.S. states have adopted programs to reduce traffic fatalities to zero with names such as Vision Zero, Target Zero, or Toward Zero Deaths (TZD). TZD is now being promoted as a national strategy by a coalition of transportation and safety groups. Successful TZD programs have five characteristics: 1) an ambitious goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries; 2) high levels of inter-agency cooperation in pursuit of the TZD goal among state departments of transportation, public safety, health, and other relevant agencies; 3) a comprehensive strategy addressing all 4 E’s – engineering, enforcement, education, and EMS elements of traffic safety; 4) a performance-based, data-driven system of targeting resources and strategies where they will have the greatest impact in reducing traffic fatalities; and 5) policy leadership from relevant entities, including the Governor, the state legislature, and the heads of state agencies. While many of the state TZD programs are relatively new and emerging, four state programs have been around long enough to have enough years of crash data to evaluate the impacts of the programs – Minnesota, Idaho, Utah and Washington. Statistical tests on these four programs support the conclusion that implementing TZD programs accelerates the reduction of fatality rates. The acceleration rate varies from state to state, taking time for a new program to gain its full effect. Although each state has different degrees of temporal effect of its TZD program, the average effect is more and more apparent over time.
Governing Dockless Bike Share: Early Lessons for Nice Ride Minnesota
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2018-11) Douma, Frank; Hauf, Austin
Dockless bike share systems present an opportunity for cities to expand access to bike share by lowering costs and geographic barriers, but also create additional challenges in the areas of maintenance, parking, and right-of- way management. Most dockless providers are also private, venture-capital funded entities, representing a significant departure from current public and non-profit approaches. Other cities have encountered challenges in securing cooperation from these operators in areas such as data transparency. This raises a key question: To what extent can cities use contracts and governance to exchange use of the public right-of-way for operating requirements that advance equity, accessibility, innovation, and other goals? Using case studies from other U.S. cities and drawing insights from the wider “smart mobility” literature, this research presents recommendations for regulating dockless bike share in cities and ties these approaches to the implementation of Nice Ride Minnesota’s dockless pilot. It will also examine prominent challenges in coordination and implementation and highlight novel approaches with an eye towards the future of bike share in the Twin Cities.
Grand Rapids GoMARTI Self-Driving Shuttle Pilot Program
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2024-07) Douma, Frank; Weiner, Evelyn
In fall 2022, a first-of-its-kind connected and automated vehicle (CAV) pilot program called goMARTI (Minnesota's Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative) was launched as a collaborative effort between numerous partners. The 18-month pilot offers free, on-demand rides to area residents and visitors using five autonomous shuttle vans (including three wheelchair-accessible vans) at 70 drop-off and pick-up points within a 17-square-mile area. In this project, researchers documented lessons learned from the pilot, which included exploring the recent history of institutional and community engagement efforts regarding transportation in Itasca County and Grand Rapids, as well as the innovations and collaborations that took place to make the pilot's implementation possible.
Identifying and Reconciling Stakeholder Perspectives in Deploying Automated Speed Enforcement
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2017-05) Peterson, Colleen; Douma, Frank; Morris, Nichole L.
Speeding is a public-health crisis, making up approximately a third of roadway deaths each year in the United States. One countermeasure with clearly documented efficacy to reduce speed is automated speed enforcement (ASE). Public acceptance of ASE, however, has been marginal with many drivers calling into question its need and legality. This project used surveys and interviews to better understand public rejection of ASE and to strategically provide individualized information to determine whether opinions can be shifted toward a more favorable view of ASE. Statistically significant movement on ASE opinion was achieved after respondents engaged with a tailored survey addressing their particular ASE concerns. Those who changed their opinion were more engaged (e.g., considered the opposite of their current stance more fully) and were persuaded by evidence of safety benefits resulting from reduced speeds and effective speed reduction with ASE deployment.
Identifying Issues Related to Deployment of Automated Speed Enforcement
(Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2012-07) Douma, Frank; Munnich, Lee; Loveland, Joe; Garry, Thomas
Automated speed enforcement (ASE) has been shown to be one of the most effective strategies for reducing speeding by vehicles and improving road safety. However, the perception that ASE is unpopular and controversial has limited its use by policymakers in the United States. This report investigates whether this perception is justified in Minnesota by conducting a public opinion survey of Minnesota residents about their views of ASE. In light of the survey results, the report then examines the legal and related political obstacles for deploying ASE in Minnesota, and outlines a strategy for moving forward with ASE in Minnesota in select areas.
Identifying the Opportunities and Obstacles of Connected and Automated Vehicles in Rural Minnesota: Community Engagement in Greater Minnesota
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-06) Douma, Frank; Lari, Adeel; McNiel, Daniel
Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies have advanced toward implementation stages and will eventually arrive on Minnesota roadways. The advent of CAV technology highlights the importance of facilitating policy conversations that will help plan for the uncertainties of these new modes of transportation. Rural communities in Minnesota experience distinct barriers to safe and affordable transit and have the potential to benefit greatly from the advancements of CAV technology. Automated vehicles present new ways of improving transportation safety, increasing accessibility for transportation disadvantaged populations and spurring economic growth. However, there is growing need for elected officials and city staff to initiate advanced planning regarding CAVs while these technologies continue to be developed and tested, as without policy intervention and intentional planning, CAV technologies have the undesired potential to perpetuate inequities especially in rural areas, where transit service can be very limited, or non-existent. Rural areas will likely require the development of different CAV transit models that blend the functions of high speed and low speed public transit. Examining the challenges that rural transit operators currently face in Greater Minnesota can help to guide the development of policy that promotes rural driverless transit. At the University of Minnesota, the Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program (TPEC) has been examining equity issues and opportunities related to CAV technology since 2014. The TPEC program focuses on conducting research, creating tools for policymakers, and engaging in outreach to better understand the relationship between transportation and economic development in Minnesota. In the Spring of 2017, TPEC researchers organized a CAV Task Force to identify how various SDV deployment strategies could improve mobility and access for transportation dependent Minnesotans. The work of the Task Force highlighted the need for further outreach and engagement with communities in Greater Minnesota to better understand considerations for implementing CAVs in rural contexts. The TPEC team then conducted community discussions with municipalities throughout the state to better understand how CAV technologies present opportunities to improve safety, accessibility, and equity in Greater Minnesota. The insights gained from these community discussions can help assist Minnesota lawmakers design future CAV policy that is responsive to the needs of residents.
The Impact of Bicycling Facilities on Commute Mode Share
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2008-08) Douma, Frank; Cleaveland, Fay
A 2005 study by Barnes, Thompson, and Krizek examined how the addition of bicycling facilities during the 1990s influenced localized bicycle commuting rates in the Twin Cities. They found that new facilities had a small but consistent and statistically significant impact on increased rates of bicycle commuting in areas immediately surrounding these facilities. This study expands on these findings by applying the same methodology to six other cities that experienced new facility construction during the 1990s. The purpose is to determine whether results from the Twin Cities are consistent elsewhere and to identify possible contextual factors influencing facilities’ impact on bicycle commuting rates in a given city. We conclude that the “build it and they will come” theory is not universally applicable; context factors are an important element in determining the effectiveness of new commuting facilities. Among the key factors we identified were the level of publicity surrounding new facilities, the utility of routes to commuters, and the overall connectivity of the city’s bicycling network. This evidence will aid in the evaluation of bicycle facility investment as a congestion reduction strategy.
Impact of Exempting the Recording of Low Level Speed Violations in Minnesota
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2015-02) Douma, Frank; Tilahun, Nebiyou; Spencer, Peck
This report covers work done to respond to a request from the Minnesota State Legislature that was included in amendments to Minn. Stat. § 171.12, passed in the 2012 Legislative session. Specifically, the report examines the impacts of Minnesota Statute § 171.12, Subd. 6, better known as the “Dimler Amendment,” which calls for certain low-level violations of certain speed limits to not be entered on the violator’s driving record. The statute called for a report from the Commissioners of Transportation, Public Safety and Health on the impacts of increasing the Dimler qualifying range from 5 mph to 10 mph in 60 mph speed zones on travel reliability, travel efficiency, safety, and privacy. Based on the findings of these analyses, the impacts of the 2012 changes were negligible. More significantly, however, in the course of this project, the researchers came upon findings that led them to question the efficacy of the law itself. The public appears to not be aware of the law’s existence, which may be compounded by the fact that the law lays on top of Minnesota’s already complex speed laws and regulations. Further, the exemptions may be benefiting a small, but significant number of repeat offenders, and complicating regulation of commercial vehicle drivers.
Impacts of Minnesota’s Primary Seat Belt Law
(Center for Excellence in Rural Safety, University of Minnesota, 2012-03) Douma, Frank; Tilahun, Nebiyou
In the spring of 2009, the Minnesota Legislature changed the state’s seat belt law, making not wearing a seat belt a “primary” offense, where officers can ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt even if no other traffic law is broken. Using data from the Minnesota Crash Records Database provided by the Department of Public Safety, the study utilized two methods of analysis, first comparing actual crash data from July 2009 – June 2011 to expected data based upon trends from July 2004 - June 2009, and second, comparing the expected post law change injury types estimated from the July 2006 – June 2009 crash data to the actual post primary crash data from July 2009 through June 2011. Results of seat belt use and public opinion surveys were also reviewed. This study estimates that there have been 68 - 92 fewer fatalities from motor vehicle crashes, and 320 - 550 fewer serious injuries since the primary seat belt law went into effect. This improved safety record translates into at least $45 million in avoided hospital charges, including a direct savings of nearly $10 million or more tax dollars that would have paid for expenses charged to government insurers. The primary seat belt law has enjoyed the support of over 70% of all Minnesotans and observed use of seat belts statewide has risen from 86.7% in 2008 to an alltime high of 92.7% in 2011.
The Implications of Current and Emerging Privacy Law for ITS
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2008-12) Douma, Frank; Deckenbach, Jordan
As Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) incorporate data-gathering and compiling systems into the transportation infrastructure, questions about privacy implications stemming from the potential misallocation or abuse of collected data have started to arise. The United States has no comprehensive national regulatory structure for privacy, leaving answers to these privacy questions to be found through a consideration of variety of sources of federal and state privacy law. In this paper, the authors examine a number of the areas where privacy law could impact ITS projects. To address these concerns, developers and planners of ITS technologies have to navigate a myriad of legal considerations and consequences that correspond with the ways in which they utilize the technologies and the information they collect. In an attempt to assist in that endeavor, the final part of this paper suggests tools for ITS developers and planners that explain the level of restrictions that correspond with different kinds of information being collected.
Improving Carsharing and Transit Service with ITS
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2008-09) Douma, Frank; Gaug, Ryan; Horan, Tom; Schooley, Ben
This report examines Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as they apply to carsharing and transit. Two modes that provide mobility to those who do not own a car. In the first study, researchers developed and administered a survey to members of HOURCAR, a local not-forprofit carsharing organization (CSO), and a randomly selected control group. The data reveals that (1) each HOURCAR removes 2.5 other vehicles; (2) HOURCAR members demonstrate an interest in deciding whether a car is their most efficient option for their trip, (3) HOURCAR respondents were not significantly different from the control group in terms of household size, income, age or housing type; and (4) most members indicated convenience and financial considerations were key to joining. The second study seeks to understand how citizen perceptions of trust and confidence in an agency, and its services, are impacted by the use of advanced traveler information systems (ATIS), specifically, an online trip planner developed and maintained by MetroTransit. A survey and focus group indicate connections between online use and perceptions about the agency. Notably, a strong positive view of the trip planner was associated with trust in the agency to perform the service.
Innovative Parking Pricing Demonstration in the Twin Cities: Introducing Flexibility and Incentives to Parking Contracts
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2014-02) Lari, Adeel; Douma, Frank; Yang, Kate Lang; Caskey, Kathryn; Cureton, Colin
Parking pricing has taken on a role beyond recouping infrastructure investment costs and is now also being utilized as a public policy tool for travel demand management. Recently developed tools for travel demand management include innovative parking pricing strategies that incentivize alternative mode choice. The principal goal of this research is to examine the effects on commuter mode choice of introducing flexibility and incentives into monthly parking contracts. The demonstration consisted of running four different test modules over the course of three four-month periods. The four test modules include a discounted transit pass option (Buying Flexibility), two forms of rebate programs (Marginal Rebate and PayGo), and a free transit pass option (Disincentive Removal). The first rebate program, Marginal Rebate, offered a rebate for the difference between the marginal parking cost and transit fare on days when transit was used. The second rebate program, PayGo, offered the same transit rebate in addition to a rebate for the full marginal parking cost on days when a mode other than parking or transit was used. Analysis of the commuting behavior among participants in this study demonstrated that the level of incentive positively correlates to the propensity for mode shift to occur, with significant and increasing mode shift in the two programs that offered the greatest flexibility and incentive. However, the data collected also indicates that a discounted or free transit pass is not enough to entice mode change. Potential to deploy parking contract models that include flexibility and incentives are also briefly explored.

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