Browsing by Subject "Economic impacts"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Assessing the Economic Effects of Context-Sensitive Main Street Highways in Small Cities
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2022-09) Fonseca-Sarmiento, Camila; Zeerak, Raihana; Phinney, Robin; Clausen, Barrett; Jiang, Haiyue; Zhao, Jerry
    Complete Streets is a transportation policy and design approach that requires streets to be planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. While there have been multiple studies on Complete Streets in metropolitan areas, little is known about these projects impacts in small cities. In this research, we assess the economic impacts of Complete Streets projects on small-city businesses through case studies and by comparing economic measures from a group of cities with Complete Streets projects to comparable control groups without these streets. Our findings show that few respondents perceive a direct impact for their business, but many feel that the reconstructions have been (would be) beneficial for the city. Mechanisms through which Complete Streets might impact businesses and the local economy include altering of business practices, changing of city practices, or acting as a catalyst for additional investment. In addition, our results suggest that Complete Streets projects may improve the economic activity of small cities to some extent, particularly when considering revenues from property taxes. The research team also develops a consistent set of economic metrics that MnDOT and local transportation agencies can use to evaluate and communicate the effect of context-sensitive main street highways.
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    Assessing the Economic Impact and Health Effects of Bicycling in Minnesota
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2016-12) Qian, Xinyi; Linscheid, Neil; Tuck, Brigid; Lindsey, Greg; Jessica, Schoner; Pereira, Mark; Berger, Aaron
    This project estimated the economic impact of the bicycling industry and events in Minnesota, estimated bicycling infrastructure use across the state, and assessed the health effects of bicycling in the Twin Cities metropolitan area (TCMA). A survey of bicycling-related manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, non-profit and advocacy groups found the industry produced a total of $779.9 million of economic activity in 2014. Using data from multiple sources, the number of bicycle trips in Minnesota was estimated to be between 75.2 and 96 million annually. The TCMA accounts for 69%-72% of the total number of trips and miles traveled in Minnesota. Bicycling events, including races, non-race rides, fundraising events, mountain bicycling events, high school races, and bicycle tours, produced a total of $14.3 million of economic activity in 2014. All six types of bicycling events mainly attract white, non-Hispanic male participants. “Riding my bicycle” was the most frequently identified reason to attend an event (except for fundraising event participants), and there is a variety of enjoyable attributes that differed across event types. Overall, respondents were satisfied with the events. Bicycle commuting prevents 12 to 61 deaths per year, saving $100 million to $500 million. Bicycle commuting three times per week is also linked to 46% lower odds of metabolic syndrome, 32% lower odds of obesity, and 28% lower odds of hypertension, all of which lower medical costs. Project findings tell a compelling story for the positive effects of bicycling and provide direct evidence that supports the efforts of promoting bicycling-related industry, infrastructure, events, and activities.
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    Case Studies of Transportation Investment to Identify the Impacts on the Local and State Economy
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2013-01) Iacono, Michael; Levinson, David
    This project provides case studies of the impact of transportation investments on local economies. We use multiple approaches to measure impacts since the effects of transportation projects can vary according to the size of a project and the size of the area under study, as well as other exogenous factors such as existing economic and demographic conditions. We measure effects on economic output and employment to estimate impacts of specific investments, and address issues of generative versus redistributive effects of investments, as well as identify specific economic sectors that might be disproportionately affected by such investments.
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    The Hiawatha Line: Impacts on Land Use and Residential Housing Value
    (Center for Transportation Studies, 2010-02) Goetz, Edward G.; Ko, Kate; Hagar, Aaron; Ton, Hoang; Matson, Jeff
    This report presents the results of an examination of the economic and land-use impacts of the Hiawatha Light Rail Line. Specifically, the report contains findings on the impact of the line on residential property values, housing investment, and land-use patterns. Property value impacts were determined through the creation of a hedonic pricing model for single-family and multi-family residential properties within a one-half mile radius of the Hiawatha Line stations. Price trends within station areas were examined both prior to and after completion of the Hiawatha Line in 2004 and in comparison to a control area of southeast Minneapolis. Housing investment trends were investigated through an examination of building permit data, also broken down into pre- and post-construction periods. Land use patterns were examined through analysis of the Metropolitan Council’s seven-county land use data base. The findings indicate that construction of the Hiawatha Line has had a positive effect on property values within station areas. The effect is limited to the west side of the line; on the east side a four-lane highway and a strip of industrial land uses intervenes and eliminates any positive impact of the line. Results also show a high level of residential investment (as measured by dollar value of the investment) within station areas compared to the control area. No changes in land use patterns were detected since completion of the light rail line. This study demonstrates that completion of the Hiawatha Line has generated value and investment activity in the Minneapolis housing market.
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    The Impacts of Transportation Investment on Economic Growth in the Twin Cities
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2016-06) Cao, Jason; Iacono, Michael; Levinson, David; Cui, Mengying
    The transportation system plays a critical role in fostering economic growth. Although previous studies have shed light on the impacts of transportation investments, their results are not readily adapted to predicting economic impacts of individual transportation projects. This study aimed to (1) investigate the impacts of transportation investments on economic growth (wages and employment) in the Twin Cities and (2) develop a method that practitioners can apply to predict economic growth resulting from investments in individual projects (as well as disinvestments). The capacity of such predictions is critical for the economy of the Twin Cities because transportation infrastructure lasts for decades once built. The method is expected to be used by practitioners of planning, programming, and finance at MnDOT and DEED, as well as at the Metropolitan Council. This study contributes to the base of knowledge by offering new empirical evidence on intra-urban patterns of agglomeration based on small-scale geographic data on job density from the Twin Cities. Our findings indicate that in general urbanization effects tend to dominate localization effects across a range of industries.
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    Shifting Global Airline Service and the Local Community
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1996-01) Loughlin, Melissa J.; Adams, John S.
    This report presents results from a one-year study investigating the allocation, organization, and importance of international passenger and freight service among US cities. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) serves as a case study throughout. The study addressed specific causes and effects of the international air service MSP currently enjoys. The goal of this report is to inform public policy decision-makers, business leaders, and private citizens about international air service at MSP: the regulatory framework that shapes the international service map, connections between such service and urban development, and Minneapolis/St. Paul's standing among other Midwestern cities in terms of access to major foreign destinations. The final section of this report comments on the tenuous nature of nonstop international service in today's liberal international environment, current efforts to enhance international service to the Twin Cities, and questions that remain unanswered about the Twin Cities place on the international service map.
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    Update of a Web-Based Economic Impact Calculator for Small and Medium-Sized Airports and a Study of the Economic Impact of Minnesota Airports
    (Center for Transportation Studies, 2011-01) Gartner, William C.; Tuck, Brigid; Erkkila, Daniel L.
    This report details the process of updating the Web-based airport economic impact calculator and the calculation of the statewide economic impact of Minnesota’s public airports. The end products of these efforts are: 1) an economic impact calculator that more adequately reflects current economic conditions with added flexibility to handle large, unique airport operations 2) and an estimate of the total economic impact of Minnesota’s airports in 2009. The airport economic impact calculator prompts users to enter data on nine main types of economic activity to calculate the impact of their local airport. These include: public airport operations and capital investments, fixed based operators (FBOs), commercial scheduled air service, retail businesses, general aviation, freight operators, private corporations with flight departments, non-profit and government entities and other activities. The newly updated economic impact calculator allows for greater variability in the size and scale of these airport operations and contains new economic impact coefficients that reflect changes in the economy since the calculator was first developed. These nine activities also contribute to the economy of Minnesota. To calculate the economic impact of the airport system in Minnesota, primary data were collected from airport mangers, FBO’s, corporate flight departments and governmental units. Secondary data were obtained from Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Rochester International, and Duluth International airports to provide a comprehensive economic impact analysis for the state.