Research
GTI research is committed to the following guiding principles:
- Open data: We believe that worldwide availability of scientific data can broaden collaboration and accelerate knowledge discovery. To the extent possible given regulatory, resource, and privacy constraints, efforts will be made to share GTI research data with the broadest audience possible via this program website, courses, publications, presentations, and media engagement.
- Societal relevance: We believe that scientific research can be a catalyst for social change. GTI will undertake projects that respond to grand challenges and that would benefit society at large.
- Scientific rigor: We believe that well-specified theories, measurements, and tests are essential to policymaking in transit planning. GTI research will be rigorous, leading to evidence-based policy recommendations.
Ongoing Research
Decade-Long Changes in Spatial Mismatch in Beijing, China: Are Low-Skilled Workers Better Off Or Worse?
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: This research uses Beijing, China as a case study to empirically examine decade-long changes in the magnitude and geography of spatial mismatch among four workforce segments, including local and migrant population as well as among low- and high-skills population. Two sets of longitudinal data will be used, including jobs data from the 2001 and 2013 Economic Census and housing data from the 2000 and 2010 Population Census. Both spatial mapping analysis and dissimilarity indices analysis will be conducted, with the former shedding light on the geography of spatial mismatch and the latter shedding light on the magnitude of spatial mismatch. Research findings are expected to help urban planners and policy makers to understand the evolution of the spatial mismatch problem in Chinese Cities. The findings will also help planners and policy makers to identify strategies to mitigate the issue of spatial mismatch and the associated lack of job accessibility issue among disadvantaged low-wage workers.
Download the IACP presentation slides (PDF)
Assessing the Impacts of Student Transportation using City Buses and Trains
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: In 2009, the Twin Cities Metro Transit worked with the Minneapolis Public Schools and introduced a new fare product—Go to Student Pass—that provides eligible high school students unlimited rides on city buses and light-rail trains between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week. As of August 2013, the program expanded to all eight public schools in Minneapolis, MN with approximately 6,000 students using the program instead of the traditional yellow school bus program. Nationally, similar programs have been implemented in several other cities including Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Oakland, CA; Lakeland, FL; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and Columbus, OH. This research is a direct response to the local and national need for rigorous empirical examination of the benefits of student transportation on public transit. Using empirical data, we examine educational, economic and societal impact of the student pass program, including the impacts on school attendance rates and student engagement in extracurricular activities, fiscal impacts for Metro Transit and Minneapolis Public Schools, and societal-level impacts on people's attitudes towards public transit, quality of life, and opportunities for disadvantaged families.
Download the presentation slides (PDF) used at the Metro Transit Senior Staff Meeting
Specific Strategies for Achieving Transit-Oriented Economic Development: Applying National Lessons to the Twin Cities -- Phase 1
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The success of the regional transitway system will hinge on attracting dramatically increased private-sector housing development and job creation to station areas. Previous TIRP research conducted by PI Fan, "Maximizing the Benefits of Transitway Investments," has established the importance of attracting both housing and jobs to transit-accessible locations. Corridors of Opportunity research conducted by both investigators, "Research on How to Achieve System-Level, Transit-Oriented Jobs-Housing Balance," has identified pent-up demand among Twin Cities developers and business leaders for transit-served locations and what they see as obstacles to selecting them, as well as general policies to remove those obstacles.
Building on those foundations, this research aims to bring national knowledge and experience on transit-oriented development (TOD) to a local level to produce concrete, action-oriented, and ready-to-implement TOD recommendations for the Twin Cities region. More specifically, the researchers will reach out to and conduct interviews with people who have been at the forefront of various TOD promotion programs, i.e., people who have participated in ongoing TOD programs or projects associated with these programs in the Twin Cities region and its 11 peer regions. These people will include planning practitioners at Metropolitan Planning Organizations, local governments, state and local economic development agencies, and transit provider agencies, as well as representatives from private-sector businesses, development firms, and financial institutions. Interviews will approach TOD from an economic development perspective. As such, specific focus will be put on station-area job creation efforts, as well as on station-area housing development efforts that support robust transit system-oriented economic growth and emphasize workforce housisg. The research will conclude with analysis conducted in "Specific Strategies for Achieving Transit-Oriented Economic Development: Applying National Lessons to the Twin Cities, Phase 2."
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Transit Station and Stop Design and Travel Time Perceptions
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The waiting and transferring inherent in transit travel have significant impacts on mode choice and can be significant obstacles to encouraging mode shifts from automobile to transit. In part, these impacts are a function of time--time avoided by motorists. Much research indicates, however, that the mode choice impacts of waiting and transferring cannot be fully explained by the actual time they consume. Numerous studies have found that riders perceive out-of-vehicle time (walking, waiting, transferring) as "longer" than in-vehicle time. Transfers can have an especially significant impact on travel time perceptions because they add uncertainty to a transit trip. High-amenity stations, transit centers served by multiple routes, and multimodal hubs are becoming increasingly popular strategies for mitigating transit users' aversion to waiting and transferring. Little research exists, however, on what aspects of stations and stops are effective in making transit trip times seem shorter to users. To address this knowledge gap, this research is conducting a passenger survey at different types of transit stops and stations to investigate how station characteristics may shape transit users' perceptions of waiting and transferring time. Data will be collected under varying weather conditions and at varying times of day. The survey data will then be analyzed to identify station features associated with perceptions of shorter travel times. The findings are expected to help with development of new and innovative amenity mixes for transit stations and stops in the Twin Cities region that attract increased ridership.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Exploring Strategies for Promoting Modal Shifts to Transitways
Principal Investigator: Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The Metropolitan Council aims to double the 2004 Twin Cities transit ridership levels by 2030. The implementation of transitways is essential to this effort, but resulting mode shifts may be limited by an overall transportation system and policy environment that still heavily favor driving. Planners in the region are interested in finding the "sweet spot" for frequency, travel time, employer/employee incentives, and penalties for driving/incentives for taking transit needed to attract riders. This research project will review successful transit programs in the U.S. and other parts of the world and synthesize best practices in transit system planning and transit-supportive policies. Following the review, researchers will develop two sets of models to identify transit planning strategies and transit-supportive policies that can effectively promote transit ridership and encourage mode shifts toward transit in the Twin Cities. The two sets of models are a) trip-level mode choice models for several selected Twin Cities transitways, including the Hiawatha light rail transit (LRT), Northstar commuter rail, and Central Corridor LRT; and b) station-level ridership models for selected transit stations in the Twin Cities and peer regions. Outcomes from both sets of models will be used jointly to predict bus-to-transitway mode shifts, automobile-to-transit mode shifts, and the number of car-shedding households associated with various mixes of transit-supportive policies and transit system planning strategies.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Exploring Walking Tolerance of Transitway Users
Principal Investigator: Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: This project is to examine transitway users' walking tolerance related to the last mile and park and ride (P&R) facilities. To park or to develop is always a key question for station area planning. P&R is a primary means for transit users to access stations. Development around station areas enables residents to access the system without driving and allows passengers to access the activities along a transitway corridor. Planners in the Twin Cities are interested in a hybrid option: Siting P&R facilities at the periphery of development around transitway stations. However, the literature offers little evidence on how far a P&R lot can be located from transitways while maximizing ridership and revenue - the tolerance distance P&R users are willing to walk to stations. No studies have explored how the tolerance varies by the type of transitways, the location of P&R lots, and the design of walking paths between P&R lots and transit stations. Once transit users reach their destination stops, they need to walk to their final destinations. How many feet they are willing to walk remains an open question in the Twin Cities. Furthermore, we are uncertain whether walking tolerances for transitways differ from express services. If there is a difference, planners should not simply apply the rules for express services to transitway programs.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Economic Development Impacts of Bus Rapid Transit
Principal Investigator: Andrew Guthrie, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will take on an increasingly important role in the Twin Cities transit system over the coming years. With low construction costs and design flexibility, BRT allows for the implementation of transitway service in a wide range of corridors and operating environments. It is also hoped that the fast travel speeds, unique branding and recognizable, high-amenity stations of BRT services will present economic development opportunities similar to those of LRT. Despite these high expectations, BRT is still a largely unknown quantity in the Twin Cities. To close this gap in regional knowledge, this research will analyze the economic development impacts of BRT in relation to the impacts of LRT using residential and economic data on BRT and LRT lines operating in the Twin Cities region and Metropolitan Council-defined peer regions.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Transit-Based Job Accessibility in Chinese Cities (The Access Across China Project)
Principal Investigators: Dr. Tieshan Sun, Peking University, China; Dr. Wangtu Xu, Xiamen University, China; Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: Public transit is more than a means of transportation. It serves a key component in addressing poverty, unemployment, and equal opportunity goals. An empirical analysis of transit-based job accessibility in major Chinese cities will help to evaluate the extent to which public transit systems in China connects workers to jobs. This research applies a cumulative opportunity approach to calculate the amount of jobs accessible within 30-, 45-, and 60-minutes of transit travel at the jiedao level in major Chinese Cities. Jiedao (subdistrict in Chinese) has been the basic administrative unit in Chinese cities for decades and is the lowest geographic level reported in publicly accessible government statistical reports. Transit travel time between each pair of jiedao are calculated using Baidu Maps (百度) API during 7-9am on weekdays. Jobs data come from the 2008 Economic Census of China.
Exploring spatial-temporal patterns of dwelling times within transit network for the use in accessibility evaluation over time of day
Principal Investigators: Dr. Ying Song and Andrew Owen, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: Recent years have witnessed the emerging sustainable mobility paradigm in transportation planning. Providing reliable and affordable transit services is a feasible solution that could reduce automobile dependency while improving access to housing, jobs, health services and various resources and opportunities. The advanced public transportation systems (APTS) track vehicles’ movement using global position systems (GPS) or automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems. However, conventional analysis usually extract the arrival and departure times at bus stops and rail stations, yet omits the vehicle location data collected between stops or stations. This proposed project aims to utilize the vehicle movement data collected within the transit networks, explore the spatio-temporal distributions of dwelling times, and use them to improve the estimation of the future arrival times and to refine the existing multi-modal accessibility measures considering traffic situation throughout the day.
Why has urban rail transit boomed at China and returned to U.S. since the 21st century?- A comparative study
Principal Investigator: Dr. Wangtu (Ato) Xu, Xiamen University, China
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Abstract: This research focuses on the development progress of urban rail transit systems in both Chinese and American cities since 2000. The research will compare more than 100 Chinese and American cities and identify underlying factors that may have led to the booming of urban rail transit systems in China and U.S. These underlying factors may include population growth, economic development, and land use change. We will probe into the “teleconnections” between Chinese cities and American cities in urban rail transit development patterns, i.e., whether the underlying factors of urban rail transit development in U.S. and China since 2000 are strongly related to each other.
Spatial Inequality or Economic Inequality? Economic Restructuring and Spatial Mismatch in Beijing, China
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lingqian (Ivy) Hu, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
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Abstract: Low-wage workers face an increasingly competitive labor market in Chinese metropolitan areas. The reasons are two folds. First, economic restructuring of metropolitan areas reduce the number of low-skilled jobs. Second, expansion of metropolitan areas results in great spatial barriers between low-wage workers and their job opportunities. The research uses Beijing, China as a case study to empirically examine the changes in the spatial mismatch condition faced by low-wage workforce, separating the effects of the economic and spatial factors. Two sets of longitudinal data will be used, including employment data from the 2001 and 2013 Economic Census and housing data from the 2000 and 2010 Population Census. We expected that both economic restructuring and spatial expansion of metropolitan areas affect low-wage workers' spatial mismatch conditions. Separating the effects of the economic and spatial forces has policy implications. If the former force prevails, aspatial strategies such as workforce development could mitigate the inequality faced by low-wage workers. Otherwise, spatial strategies such as housing and transportation can better assist low-wage workers in China.
Public Bicycle Usage and Access to Rail Transit Stations in Nanjing, China
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yanjie Ji, Southeast University, China
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Abstract: A marriage between public bicycles and rail transit presents a particularly interesting opportunity for sustainable transportation in Chinese cities. Promoting the integration of public bicycles and rail transit require a deep understanding of mode choice factors for accessing rail transit. Using data from an intercept survey, this project examines determinants of public bicycle usage among rail transit users at fifteen urban rail transit stations in Nanjing, China. Early results reveal low public bicycle usage among female, older, and low-income rail transit commuters, and high public bicycle usage among rail commuters with bicycle theft experience and rail commuters making school- or work-related trips.
Download the working paper (PDF)
Disaster resilience of transit services and transit use in New Zealand Cities
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tabitha Combs, Lincoln University, New Zealand
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Abstract: The 2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence destroyed much of Christchurch's transport infrastructure and caused massive disruptions in transit service. Transit service has gradually been restored. However, land use patterns have become significantly less transit-oriented since the earthquakes, and transit mode shares are still far short of their pre-quake levels. This project tracks the changes in transit service (coverage, frequencies, and travel times) over time from before the earthquakes to the present. The project will expand to other cities that have experienced similar wide-scale disruptions in transit service to understand more about the factors that contribute to the disaster resilience of transit services (and transit use).
Completed Research
Spatial and Skills Mismatch of Unemployment and Job Vacancies: Opportunities for Integrated Transit and Workforce Development
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: Disadvantaged urban workers often find themselves in a double bind. They may be qualified for many entry-level jobs, but have no way of reaching suburban employment centers; they may also be easily able to reach many jobs nearby, but lack the qualifications for them. These two statements describe the interconnected problems of spatial mismatch and skills mismatch. This report studies the current state of spatial and skills mismatch in the region, as well as coordination between transit planning and workforce development and opportunities to improve that coordination. The research finds greatly varying transit access to job vacancies across the region, with some disadvantaged areas having relatively low access. Proposed transit improvements would have modest regional effects on spatial mismatch, but large localized benefits in disadvantaged areas. Important “sweet spots” for workforce development exist, defined as in-demand occupations with low education requirements that are likely to pay a living wage. Transit planners and workforce development professionals both call for greater coordination between their fields. The report recommends redefining “accessible jobs” based on transit access, not geography, considering every stage of connecting workers with jobs, from what skills they have, to what training is available, to what jobs can be reached by transit, as well as collecting regional data on job seekers’ skills. The report also recommends identifying employers with labor supply problems, considering disadvantaged workers’ complex schedules, engaging with TMO’s and pursuing creative first mile/last mile solutions to connect workplaces with transit lines, as well as pursuing transit-oriented economic development.
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Assessing Neighborhood and Social Influences of Transit Corridors
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: This project assessed how residents and businesses along transit corridors in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, perceive neighborhood changes caused by transitways. To delineate a comprehensive picture, research focused on four transit corridors: Hiawatha light rail transit (LRT), NorthStar Commuter Rail, Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit (BRT), and Central Corridor LRT, each of which is at a different stage of planning, construction, or operation. Among the key findings: 1) The majority of residents and businesses in transitway corridors have a positive view of transit-induced neighborhood change. The extent of positive neighborhood change that transitway corridor residents and businesses anticipate varies widely from corridor to corridor; 2) People with any experience using light-rail transit, frequent transit users, and transit-dependent riders all have overwhelmingly positive attitudes regarding transit-induced neighborhood change; 3) Racial differences in perceptions of transit-induced neighborhood change do exist, with specific groups on certain corridors having markedly more negative or positive views than others; and 4) Five key strategies may help address negative perceptions and possible negative impacts of transit-induced neighborhood change: addressing misperceptions, engaging the neutrals, playing to the strengths, including transit users, and conducting community-sensitive planning. By covering a variety of transit technologies including LRT, BRT and Commuter Rail, as well as a diverse range of urban and suburban neighborhoods, results from this research will help policy makers make more informed decisions about how to prevent and mitigate socially harmful neighborhood changes associated with various types of transitways.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Impact of Twin Cities Transitways on Regional Labor Market Accessibility: A Transportation Equity Perspective
Principal Investigator: Dr. Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: This study evaluates the impact of the Hiawatha Light Rail (LRT) line on job accessibility for the economically disadvantaged, seeking to further understand transit's role in promoting social equity and to identify commute flow changes among low-wage workers. The results will inform more equitable transit policies and improvements in the future.
Numerous studies find spatial mismatch is an impediment to employment for low-wage workers. While transit is recognized as a tool for improving outcomes, results of empirical research are mixed. Several studies find positive relationships; others find none. This study examines changes in jobs accessible by transit throughout the service day.
Shifts in actual home-to-work commute flows were examined using the Longitudinal Employment and Housing Database (LEHD) Origin-Destination Matrix. Researchers employed GIS map analysis, summary statistics, and regression analysis. Regression models estimate shifts in where individuals commute from and to as a function of distance to the nearest transit stop at both ends of a commute, location within the immediate area of a light rail station or other premium transit stop at both ends of a commute, and of various demographic variables.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
The Effects of Transitways on Auto Ownership and Auto Use: Evidence from the Hiawatha LRT
Principal Investigator: Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: Metropolitan Council and local governments in the Twin Cities have been promoting transitway programs and corresponding transit-oriented developments (TODs) to accommodate the increase in travel and slow the growth in congestion. Although previous studies have produced empirical evidence on the transit ridership benefits of transitways, few have examined their impacts on auto ownership and auto use, which are directly related to congestion. This project fills the gap. Specifically, using the data collected from five corridors in the Twin Cities in May 2011, this research will apply a structural equations model to quantify the influences of the Hiawatha light rail transit (LRT) and neighborhood characteristics on auto ownership and auto use of station-area residents through both cross-sectional and quasi-longitudinal analyses. The project will answer the following questions: Does the Hiawatha LRT lead to reductions in auto ownership and auto use? To what extent is it associated with the reductions (or how large are the impacts)? Similarly, how about neighborhood characteristics? To the best of the researchers' knowledge, this project will provide the most robust evidence on the relationships among transitway development, auto ownership, and auto use in the field. The results are expected to offer critical local knowledge in evaluating the role of transitways and TOD in addressing transportation challenges in the Twin Cities.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Transportation, Environmental, and Health Impacts of Transitways: A Case Study of the Hiawatha Line
Principal Investigator: Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The Metropolitan Council in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (Twin Cities) aims to greatly increase transit ridership in the next two decades. A network of transitways is an essential component to achieve this ridership goal. Since transitways represent significant infrastructure investments from federal, state, and local governments, the public and planners are interested in their ridership bonus. This study investigated the transportation impact of the Hiawatha light rail transit (LRT) using a 2011 dataset collected in the Twin Cities. By employing a match-pair cross-sectional design, the researchers surveyed residents living in the middle section of the Hiawatha LRT corridor and those in two urban control corridors and two suburban control corridors in the region. They first explored the reasons for residents moving into the LRT corridor (or residential preferences) and their connections with transit use. Then the researchers employed a propensity- score matching approach to study the impact of Hiawatha LRT on transit use for residents who moved to the corridor before its opening and for those who moved after its opening. Finally, they tested the carryover effect of the LRT and the built environment effect on active travel: walking to stores and strolling. The study produced interesting results and offered important implications for land use and transportation policies associated with light rail transit.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Value-added: Impacts of the Proximity to Transitway Stations on Commercial Property Values
Principal Investigator: Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The Metropolitan Council has proposed a network of dedicated transitways in its 2030 Transportation Policy Plan to coordinate transportation and land use development, and ultimately manage congestion. Since transitways require substantial funding from federal, state, and local governments, the public is interested in knowing if transitway investments bring about meaningful economic benefits to local communities. This research project analyzed the impact of proximity to Hiawatha light rail line stations on sales prices for commercial and industrial properties. Researchers applied a linear hedonic pricing model on the 2000-2008 sales data spanning before and after completion of the line (2004). The researchers expect the findings will illuminate questions about light rail transit's economic benefits, and provide evidence for transit agencies to justify transitway investments, and address concerns of local developers and lenders regarding the economic benefits of transitways.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Understanding Transportation Impacts of Transitways: Demographic and Behavioral Differences between Transitway Riders and Other Transit Riders
Principal Investigator: Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The 2030 Transportation Policy Plan, developed by the Metropolitan Council, identifies several potential transitway corridors for the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Because these transitways are major transportation investments in the area, it is critical to know whether transitways provide measurable transportation benefits. Do they attract more choice riders than the existing system? Are there differences among riders of different transit modes including light rail, express buses, commuter buses, and local route buses? How does the environment of transitway stations impact mode mixing? In order to explore the environmental factors influencing mode choice of access to transitways, researchers compared demographic and behavior differences in transit riders in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. The project found that Light Rail Transit (LRT) balances efficiency (by serving choice riders) and equity (by promoting reverse commute and serving captive riders), in addition to facilitating the formation of a multi-modal transportation system by promoting mode mixing and encouraging transfers. More importantly, travel shed analysis of several transit routes showed the LRT has a much broader influence on the regional transportation network than local buses and express services. It also confirmed that riders' demographics, trip characteristics, built environment and social environment factors around LRT stations affect their access modes. Among them, the distance from trip origin to LRT stations is the dominant factor. The results suggest that if the goal is to maximize the number accessing transitways from existing bus services, coverage of feeder services and street connectivity should be increased, and mixed-use development should be promoted. If the goal is to attract choice riders in areas where walking and local transit are not options, more park and ride facilities should be provided. This research has potential to be the first step of a long-term longitudinal study of transit impacts; such research will inform the planning and policy decisions faced by local governments as the regional transportation plan is implemented over the next 25 years.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Transitway Data Management Project
Principal Investigator: Dr. William Craig, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The purpose of the Transitway Impacts Research Program (TIRP) is to answer questions about the impacts of transitway corridors on the economy, travel, and community of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Formed in fall 2006, the program is an initiative of the Hennepin County-University of Minnesota Partnership. It is supported by CTS and the State and Local Policy Program at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Funding is provided by Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties; Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council; and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Additional partners include the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Research interests include determining the impact of transitways on residential and commercial property values, housing mix, land use, and economic development patterns. This work supported research efforts primarily by developing an online catalog of datasets that can be or have been used to conduct TIRP research, determining whether datasets need to be archived, and identifying archiving capabilities. A second, broader task that was also undertaken was to work with the existing TIRP Technical Advisory Group to identify data needs for planned research and to assist in finding or developing datasets to help advance future TIRP research. The report documents work done to accomplish those goals. Preliminary work was completed using the Minnesota Metadata Guidelines to document two completed TIRP projects. Ten new data sources were added to MetroGIS's DataFinder catalog, along with two new data categories. These sources and categories are documented in the report. Inventory of Data and Research on the Economic and Community Impacts of the Hiawatha LRT (PDF) http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/slp/pdf/reports_papers/data_research_hiawatha_lrt.pdf
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Economic Impacts of Transitways, Part 1: The Hiawatha Light Rail Line
Principal Investigator: Dr. Edward Goetz, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The Twin Cities' 2030 Transportation Plan, developed by the Metropolitan Council, identifies eight transitways; the development of these transitways, including large-scale physical redevelopment and land use changes, will cost local governments millions of dollars. A critical public concern is whether these transitways produce community benefits beyond improving the region's transportation system, specifically whether and how such physical redevelopment will affect property values, housing patterns, businesses and employment opportunities, and adjacent land uses in surrounding neighborhoods. The goal of this research project was to select or develop a methodology for determining the impacts of transitways in the Twin Cities. In order to manage the complexities surrounding the identification of important research questions and the availability and comparability of data, this research involved numerous local stakeholders. The potential economic impacts are distinct from (and can be analyzed separately from) the impacts such transitways will have on transportation behavior, mode choice, and traffic patterns. The recent completion of the Hiawatha light-rail transit (LRT) line provided an opportunity to investigate these questions. Such research can be used to inform the planning and policy decisions faced by local governments as the regional transportation plan is implemented over the next 25 years, and it was essential that the focus not be limited to the Hiawatha LRT but also include suggestions about how the same methodologies used in this project could be applied to other transitways. In the final report, researchers focused on three major areas: 1) impacts on property values by proximity to the line; 2) land use changes that have occurred around the line's transit stations; and 3) changes in the level of housing investment within the corridor.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
Evaluating Twin Cities Transitways' Performance and their Interaction with Traffic on Neighboring Major Roads
Principal Investigator: Dr. John Hourdos, University of Minnesota, USA
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Abstract: The four-step model currently used to plan and evaluate transitways is less than accurate when predicting mode and route choices due to its inability to incorporate dynamic traffic information and other congestion management alternatives.
Major goals of the Metropolitan Council's 2030 Transportation Policy Plan are to double transit ridership by 2030, slow the growth in traffic congestion, and improve mobility for everyone. One of the key strategies for achieving this goal is to develop a network of rail and bus transitways with mode choices based on a careful cost-benefit analysis. In addition, management strategies (e.g., congestion pricing) are implemented with the aim of increasing the transit system's ridership.
This project attempts to develop a multi-resolution traffic analysis tool to study performance of a transitway corridor, analyze interactions between transit and other modes, determine the impact on neighboring roads, and evaluate management policies used to stimulate modal shift. The tool will be calibrated using Hiawatha light rail transit (LRT), then applied to Central LRT.
View more about this project on the Transitway Impacts Research site
