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June 2005
CTS and sponsors launch Access to Destinations Study
Robert Johns
Tim Henkel, Gary Erickson
David Levinson
Kevin Krizek
Gary Davis
Panos Michalopoulos
The University of Minnesota must play a leading role in finding new ways to meet the transportation challenges of our region, said CTS director Robert Johns, announcing the start of a new interdisciplinary research program May 11.
Joining Johns at the kick-off workshop for the Access to Destinations Study were Tim Henkel, director of the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Office of Program Management, and Gary Erickson, assistant county administrator and director of public works for Hennepin County. Both organizations will play key roles in shaping the study, said Johns, and expect to benefit from the deeper understanding of regional transportation issues that the research aims to develop.
The Access to Destinations Study, to be led by CTS, will build on the successes of the Transportation and Regional Growth Study, Johns said. That effort, involving researchers from several academic departments, made important findings about travel behavior and land use in the Twin Cities—findings that have illuminated new research directions for the new study to explore, Johns continued.
The concept of "accessibility" is at the heart of the Access to Destinations Study. Accessibility emphasizes the ability of individuals and groups to satisfy their needs by accessing activities, services, and geographic destinations. Historically, much of the research on regional transportation patterns has focused on the concept of mobility—the ability of people to move around the transportation network. Many researchers today acknowledge that mobility is only part of a complete picture of transportation and development.
Accessibility is a key component of Mn/DOT's plans for the future, said Henkel. He pointed out that the agency recognizes the importance of both mobility and accessibility in its mission statement. Furthermore, he said, the goal of improving accessibility has already been incorporated into Mn/DOT performance measures used in the planning process for new transportation projects.
Erickson noted that the Access to Destinations Study represents an expanded partnership between Hennepin County and the University of Minnesota. By establishing a more formal working relationship, Erickson said, the county government expects to benefit from the University's research capabilities, while contributing a practical perspective on issues like development and public policy.
One part of the Access to Destinations Study that is of particular interest to Hennepin County is measuring the efficiency of county roads. These arterial roadways are an important component of the transportation infrastructure, Erickson said, but there has not been sufficient research performed to fully understand their effect on traffic patterns.
Following the remarks by Henkel and Erickson, several researchers slated to participate in the new study stepped up to the podium to give brief descriptions of their projects and to answer questions from the audience. David Levinson, assistant professor of civil engineering, and Kevin Krizek, assistant professor at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, have worked with CTS to develop the scope of the study; Levinson's initial research will attempt to develop performance measures for accessibility, while Krizek will focus on non-automotive modes of transportation such as public transit, bicycling, and walking. Gary Davis, associate professor of civil engineering, and Panos Michalopoulos, professor of civil engineering, also presented their research proposals.
An academic conference, sponsored by CTS in November 2004, served as an informal starting point for the Access to Destinations Study. Conference attendees discussed recent research on issues such as traffic congestion, the complex relationship between land use and transportation network growth, the role of transit and non-automotive modes, and new ways of financing transportation projects. A proceedings of the conference is now available at the Access to Destinations page.