Browsing by Author "Robinson, Ferrol O."

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    Potential Benefits of Mileage-Based User Fees to the Freight Industry and Industry Concerns
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2012-08) Robinson, Ferrol O.; Coyle, David D.; McCullough, Gerard J.
    The concept of funding surface transportation infrastructure through fees charged on miles driven has been receiving growing attention from transportation professionals and researchers in recent years. Highway funding in the United States has traditionally been done through user fees, most notably motor vehicle fuel taxes. However, there are growing concerns among some policymakers that fuel taxes no longer serve as an adequate, sustainable, efficient, nor equitable user fee. Recognizing the problems that arise when surface transportation is funded through motor fuel taxes, several entities, both in the United States and abroad, have conducted pilot projects or have implemented mileage-based fees. Several of these have been specifically designed for heavy trucks. There are two major concerns related to truck travel: (1) heavy trucks consume a great deal of roadway capacity due to their size, operating characteristics, and annual miles traveled; and (2) roadway wear and tear caused by the combination of truck mileage and heavy loads is significant and disproportionate to the number of trucks on the road. The concept of mileage-based user fees has seen increasing support from a number of groups in recent years; however, it faces opposition from many in the general public, and in particular from the trucking industry – which largely objects to this approach to funding transportation. This paper is part of a larger effort exploring the benefits to the freight industry of mileage-based user fees, while highlighting industry concerns over its implementation.
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    Potential Viability of Automated Rapid Transit at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2011-05) Robinson, Ferrol O.; Schmit, Matt; Munnich, Lee
    This research project investigates the status of personal rapid transit (PRT) applications in airport environments, to understand the characteristics and attributes of these systems, to explore the viability of a PRT system in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and to prepare a synthesis report and presentation that document the project's findings.
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    Rationale for Funding a Feasibility Study for an Automated Rapid Transit Application in the Twin Cities
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation Research Services Section, 2011-09) Robinson, Ferrol O.
    This report discusses the potential benefits and perceived impediments to implementing an automated rapid transit (ART) system in the Twin Cities and Minnesota. The report also briefly reviews the status of ART applications, also referred to as personal rapid transit (PRT), in the United States and abroad. Finally, the report evaluates the potential ability of ART to promote the policy goal of creating efficient development, livable communities, and work opportunities through a variety of relevant strategies. The report concludes that an ART feasibility study is needed to provide more definitive answers to issues and questions raised about ART, and it provides the rationale for funding such a study, as well as an outline of the elements of the feasibility analysis.