Economics

Two cars at a charging station
States explore fee alternatives to fund roadway infrastructure
Two electric cars at a charging station

The fuel tax is the backbone of our roadway funding system, but its ability to generate revenue is under

Freeway with an E-ZPass electronic sign overhead
Researchers study managed-lane equity—and identify metrics to measure and maximize it
Vehicles on a freeway with a managed lane electronic sign displaying dynamic prices overhead
Light-rail train going by a building under construction
Research explores the impacts of highway, transitway construction on nearby businesses
A new building under construction along a light-rail transit line

Transportation investments—whether transitway or highway—typically benefit regional economies over

Researcher checking a vehicle counter installed in a bike lane
What economic impacts do 'Complete Street' projects have on small Minnesota cities?
Researcher checking a bike counter
Photo: Michael Petesch
Congested traffic on a highway
Motorization trends to impact roadway funding, planning
Photo: Shutterstock

A

Freight train being loaded in a port
Researchers identify freight data sources, create guidance to aid infrastructure planning
A freight train being loaded at the Port of Seattle
Photo: Port of Seattle
A loose pile of $1 bills
Future of Mobility: New revenues needed to fill transportation funding gap
A pile of $1 bills

What’s next in trans

Asphalt pavement patching
Funding for maintaining Minnesota’s roads is billions short. Researchers offer ideas to fill the gap
Illustrated bag of money and stack of coins
Graphic: Adobe Stock

Most of Minnesota’s pavements are aging and need significant maintenance or r

Hands holding up money
Twin Cities metro pays more than it receives in state, federal transportation funding; property taxes pick up more of statewide tab
Hands holding up money
Image: Adobe Stock

Tra

Distance-based user fee project receives Research Partnership Award
Group photo of the RPA-winning team
Left to right: Phil Magney, Ken Buckeye, Frank Dou
Close up of gauges on a vehicle dashboard
Distance-based user fees show promise for use in shared mobility fleets
Close up of gauges in a vehicle dashboard
Photo: Adobe Stock
Construction workers on a road site
What’s behind the transportation workforce shortage—and what should public agencies do about it?

The transportation industry is facing a growing workforce shortage—especially within the public sector.

Woman working on laptop while her small daughter stands next to her
Working from home in a COVID-19 world: Advantages and equity concerns
Young girl looking at her mother, who is working on a laptop
suburb biker
New light-rail transit leads to sizable increase in nearby housing values
suburb biker

Light-rail transit (LRT) is commonly thought to stimulate economic development and boo

semi truck
U of M receives funding to improve efficiency of electric delivery trucks
semi-truck
Photo: Shutterstock
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