Freight

This report fulfills the requirements laid out in Minn. Stat. 161.088, subd. 7. A healthy transportation network supports a growing economy by facilitating commerce throughout the state. Transportation investments directly and indirectly foster economic growth with construction jobs and a commerce friendly network of corridors to ship goods and provide mobility to citizens. In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature created the Corridors of Commerce program with the purpose of achieving two major goals: • Provide additional highway capacity on segments where there are currently bottlenecks in the system; and • Improve the movement of freight and reduce barriers to commerce. Since its creation, the eligibility criteria for selecting projects and funding for Corridors of Commerce has changed, yet the goals remain the same.

This report summarizes the approach, findings, and recommendations of the Minnesota Truck Size and Weight (TS&W) Project led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) in cooperation with other public and private stakeholders. The purpose of the project is to assess changes to Minnesota's TS&W laws that would benefit the Minnesota economy while protecting roadway infrastructure and safety.

This report is intended as a resource document for use by transportation analysts in comparing the energy intensities of various transportation alternatives. "Energy intensity" is defined as the energy use per unit of productive output. Transportation accounts for a significant portion of the total energy consumption in the United States, utilizing over 25 percent of the annual total. Consequently, the energy impacts of transportation alternatives are a critical national concern. Any reduction in energy consumption which can be realized in the transportation sector will contribute substantially toward the alleviation of the U.S. energy problem.

The Northstar Workshop, "A Bold New Look at Minnesota's Roads and Loads," was held at the Leamington Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 13, 14, and 15, 1984. The Workshop addressed two main aspects of highway loads - the 80,000-lb. gross truck load and the springtime load limitation policies. There was an attendance of about 140, mainly from Mn/DOT, but also from the four adjacent states and Michigan, the two bordering Canadian provinces, the Minnesota State Planning Agency and Legislative Research, agencies such as AASHTO and FHWA, the Minnesota Motor Transport Association, county and city engineers, and the paving industry and truck manufacturing industry; thus, it constituted a comprehensive cross-section of persons concerned with the subjects under discussion. The format of the Workshop was one and one-half days of presentation of papers by individuals on subjects which had been assigned to them, with limited questions and discussion after each one, followed by group discussions for which the attendees were divided into six groups. Reports of these discussions were made to the full conference by group leaders and a final summary was made by Deputy Commissioner Robert McDonald. Following the Workshop, Mr. McDonald appointed a Truck Weight Action Group to compile recommendations based on the papers and discussions at the Workshop, and this group has made its report; its recommendations, in effect, represent a summary of the dominant thoughts of the Workshop. The report is included in Appendix A of the proceedings.

The purpose of this report is to offer a public/private partnership proposal which could stretch highway funds and help provide 10-Ton access for Minnesota businesses. In recent years the development of a 10-Ton system has increased the pressure for access to that 10-Ton system by businesses and communities that are not yet on the system. Building the desired connectors to the expanding 10-Ton system is costly and adds to the problems of highway financing. Many of these outlets do not carry sufficient traffic to receive the priority needed to be funded. In addition, there is insufficient funding available to fund these projects under the present program funding and approach.

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is to “Plan, build, operate and maintain a safe, accessible, efficient and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people to destinations and markets throughout the state, regionally and around the world.” Minnesota-based manufacturers ship their products using Minnesota’s roads, bridges, airports, railways, and waterways to local, state, national, and international markets. The transportation system, when aligned with shippers’ needs and priorities, plays a significant role in supporting state and regional economic vitality. MnDOT collected and analyzed information on manufacturers’ perspectives in MnDOT District 6 (southeastern Minnesota) to: •better understand their perspectives and priorities, •build relationships to better align the transportation system in the long-term with shippers’ needs, and •support continuous improvement at MnDOT with ongoing input from this customer segment.

One of MnDOT’s most important customer segments are Minnesota-based manufacturers that ship their products over Minnesota roads and bridges en route to local, statewide, national and international markets. These businesses rely on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to maintain a safe, efficient multi-modal infrastructure for freight transportation. State, regional and local governments rely on these businesses to employ residents and contribute to economic vitality. In short, economic vitality results when economic development and transportation systems are well aligned. In 2013, MnDOT initiated a project in its District 8 region (twelve counties in southwest and west central Minnesota) to better understand freight customers’ transportation priorities and challenges, and to incorporate their input into MnDOT’s planning and project development. Better understanding these customers’ business and transportation needs will enable MnDOT to better align its work to support their success and, by extension, the economic vitality of the region and state.

This study on the adequacy of Freight Connectors to the Interregional and Major Highway System Study is another step in the development of information, tools and processes to improve freight planning and make better investment decisions in Minnesota. Previous efforts include the development of Mn/DOT’s Freight Facilities Database, the Statewide Freight Flow Study, and the Freight Planning Information Systems Requirements Analysis. The objective of these efforts is to make available to Mn/DOT Districts, planning agencies and the freight industry the resources for improving freight productivity and, ultimately, for increasing economic activity in the state. To accomplish this objective, it is important that Mn/DOT stay up-to-date with current, and anticipated freight issues by maintaining channels of communication open with the freight industry and stakeholders. In particular, Mn/DOT Districts are in a good position to dialogue with freight shippers and carriers in their region. In addition, Districts can take the results of these studies and share them with relevant freight stakeholders in their respective region.

Minnesota’s industrial and agricultural base has been tied closely to the state’s extensive railroad network for our entire history, and still is today. In the last three decades, railroads enjoyed a resurgence in productivity and profitability, with shippers increasingly turning to rail to capture benefits in costs, service and good connections to distant markets, a key factor in Minnesota’s business future. Both businesses and railroads have expressed interest in enhancing the potential for business growth around this transportation mode. The Freight Rail Economic Development study lays out a range of options and tools in response to this desire.

The purpose of the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan (“State Rail Plan”), pursuant to Minnesota Statute Minnesota Session Law 2008, Section 174.03 subd 1b, is to guide the future of the rail system and rail services in the State. The development of the Plan, managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), included extensive involvement by the private sector, public officials, and representatives, as well as the general public.