Northwest Minnesota Commodity Flow Study

Project summary:

This proposal is in response to a Transportation Research Problem Statement submitted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to the Center for Transportation Studies. As noted in the Problem Statement, "There is a need to better understand and accommodate freight transportation needs in transportation policy, planning and investment processes." While the extensive study on Minnesota Freight Flows - 1990 identified freight and commodity flows within the state and between Bureau of Economic Analysis regions in the state, it did not address flows at the regional or county level within the state. Because of unique regional needs for transportation and transportation investment, additional research is needed to provide freight and commodity flow information at this level of detail. The goal of the methodology will be to identify data at the corridor and project level where possible to assist in planning and investment decisions. By basing investment decisions on this type of information, the result will be improved transportation and economic productivity within regions and the State of Minnesota.