Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program (TPEC)

Persistent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11299/253213

This collection contains progress reports, white papers, and other publications from the Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program (TPEC). TPEC was created in response to a directive by the Minnesota Legislature for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to fund research at the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies, including research on "transportation policy and economic competitiveness, including, but not limited to, innovative transportation finance options and economic development, transportation impacts of industry clusters and freight, and transportation technology impacts on economic competitiveness."

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 35

2013-2017 Progress Report
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2017-09) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This progress report highlights TPEC activities from 2013 to 2017, including the Minnesota Transportation Finance Database, the National Freight Economy Atlas, industry clusters in Minnesota regions, a 2014 conference Automated Vehicles: The Legal and Policy Road Ahead, and other events.
2017-2019 Progress Report
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-01) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This progress report highlights TPEC activities from 2017 to 2019, including Minnesota’s motorization trend impacts on roadway funding, taxing ride-hailing companies, the addition of a visualization tool to the Minnesota Transportation Finance Database, insight on how federal and state transportation funding is redistributed in Minnesota, the medical device industry and freight infrastructure, connected and automated vehicles, and blockchain.
2020-2022 Progress Report
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2022-06) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This progress report highlights TPEC activities from 2020 to 2022, including the equity and accessibility of connected and automated vehicles, telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical device industry clusters, the supply chain during COVID-19, and transportation funding redistribution.
Alternative Revenue Mechanisms for the Roadway System (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2024-01) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
In this research brief, TPEC researchers gathered data about current policies and practices in the US and abroad regarding alternative revenue mechanisms to help bridge the funding gap with decreasing fuel tax revenue.
Blockchain: A Disruptive Technology for Transportation? (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-02) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page brief describes blockchain and proposed TPEC research in this area.
Connected and Automated Vehicles: Accessibility for the Twin Cities East Metro (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2022-10) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes an opportunity for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) to serve the east metro of the Twin Cities, particularly the East Side, downtown, and Frogtown areas of St. Paul.
Connected and Automated Vehicles: Opportunity for Equity, Accessibility, and Safety (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-08) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes a project that sought to uncover the needs of transportation-disadvantaged communities in the Twin Cities East Metro area and determine whether CAV could be an appropriate solution.
Connected and Automated Vehicles: Opportunity for Safety, Accessibility, and Equity (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-02) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes TPEC's recent community engagement and takeaways regarding connected and automated vehicles (CAV) in Minnesota.
Equity Issues of Self-Driving Vehicles (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2018-06) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes TPEC work regarding equity in the development and implementation of self-driving vehicles. It corresponds to Self-Driving Vehicle Task Force Write-up: Issues, Opportunities, and Next Steps.
Evolving Grain Markets and Supply Chains (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2018-06) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes how market forces and changes in the grain supply chain directly influence the way grain producers and wholesalers navigate their local freight networks.
Gauging the Impacts: Self-Driving Vehicles (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2017-04) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes the 2014 conference Automated Vehicles: The Legal and Policy Road Ahead and a series of 2016 roundtables about the impacts of the digital infrastructure and self-driving vehicles.
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.
Industry Clusters and Freight Infrastructure (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2017-04) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes the National Freight Economy Atlas and other efforts by TPEC researchers to identify industry clusters in various MnDOT districts.
Mapping the Midwest's Future: Regional Innovation Clusters and Competitiveness
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2014) Center for Transportation Studies
This report summarizes the keynote presentation, two transportation-related sessions, and a session on knowledge creation and education from the first day of the conference, Mapping the Midwest’s Future: Regional Innovation Clusters and Competitiveness, held September 29-30, 2014, at Cowles Auditorium (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis).
Medical Industry Cluster Forum: Summary Report
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-01) Center for Transportation Studies
This report summarizes a forum held on the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus on November 8, 2019. The forum brought together leaders for a discussion of the importance of the medical industry cluster to Minnesota’s economy and its implications for infrastructure use and economic development.
Minnesota Medical Device Industry Cluster: Development, Linkages, and Transportation
(Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program, University of Minnesota, 2019-10-30) Munnich, Lee; Horan, Tom
Minnesota’s medical device industry cluster is not only one of the biggest driving economic forces in the state, it is also a leader in global medical device arena. For this reason, the Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness (TPEC) program at University of Minnesota has undertaken a multi-phased analysis of the medical device industry, with particular attention to transportation implications. This analysis has featured both quantitative (e.g., spatial) analysis as well as qualitative (e.g., interviews) analysis. These analyses have addressed economic competitiveness, economic development, transportation implications, and research and data needs. These issues as well as transportation policy implications are summarized in this white paper.
Minnesota Roadway Funding: Revenue Sources & Distribution
(Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program, University of Minnesota, 2020-07) Zhao, Jerry; Fonseca, Camila; Bean, Nate; Lari, Adeel
Minnesota roadway funding comes from a combination of federal, state, and local sources. Federal funding comes primarily from the federal motor fuel tax, while most state funding comes from the three state highway user taxes: the state motor fuel tax, the registration tax, and the motor vehicle sales tax. These funds support the state trunk highway system that includes interstates and state highways, in addition to providing aid to local governments. Local highway funding comes from general funds, made up primarily of property taxes and assessments, in addition to a few dedicated local transportation taxes. This revenue is used to support highways and streets under the jurisdiction of counties, cities, and townships. The network of highways and local roads is essential to the state's economy and the daily activities of Minnesota residents. Maintaining, expanding, and operating this infrastructure is a major expense for the state and local governments inside Minnesota. Generating sufficient revenue for highways and streets remains a major challenge, and recent revenue projections estimate a shortfall of $18 billion in necessary funding between 2018 and 2037, for the state highway system alone. Understanding Minnesota's road financing structure is important to anticipate and address future transportation changes. This report details federal, state, and local government funding for the roadway system in Minnesota. It explores how roadway funding is generated and distributed, as well as the history of current funding mechanisms. Statistics from the Minnesota Transportation Finance Database are used throughout this paper.
Minnesota Roadway Funding: Revenue Sources & Distribution
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2024-11) Fonseca, Camila; Land, Matthew; Zhao, Jerry
Minnesota roadway funding comes from a combination of federal, state, and local sources. Federal funding comes primarily from the federal motor fuel tax, while most state funding comes from the three state highway user taxes: the state motor fuel tax, the registration tax, and the motor vehicle sales tax. These funds support the state trunk highway system that includes interstates and state highways, in addition to providing aid to local governments. Local highway funding comes from general funds, made up primarily of property taxes and assessments, in addition to a few dedicated local transportation taxes. This revenue is used to support highways and streets under the jurisdiction of counties, cities, and townships. The network of highways and local roads is essential to the state's economy and the daily activities of Minnesota residents. Maintaining, expanding, and operating this infrastructure is a major expense for the state and local governments inside Minnesota. Generating sufficient revenue for highways and streets remains a major challenge, and recent revenue projections estimate a shortfall of $20 billion in necessary funding between 2023 and 2042, for the state highway system alone. Understanding Minnesota's road financing structure is important to anticipate and address future transportation changes. This report details federal, state, and local government funding for the roadway system in Minnesota. It explores how roadway funding is generated and distributed, as well as the history of current funding mechanisms. Statistics from the Minnesota Transportation Finance Database are used throughout this paper.
Minnesota Roadway Funding: Where Does It Come From and Where Does It Go? (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-08) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief summarizes the TPEC white paper Minnesota Roadway Funding: Revenue Sources & Distribution, which is available at https://hdl.handle.net/11299/253534.
Minnesota Transportation Finance Database (Research Brief)
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2017-04) Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness Program
This two-page research brief describes the Minnesota Transportation Finance Database created by TPEC researchers.