Principal Investigator
- Frank Douma, Director, State & Local Policy, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Summary
In its 2013 session, the Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to fund research at the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies on "transportation policy and economic competitiveness, including, but not limited to, innovative transportation finance options and economic development, transportation impacts of industry clusters and freight, and transportation technology impacts on economic competitiveness." This work continues, governed under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding, which is attached, and this workplan outlines how the work will be implemented in FY 26. The Program engages in research, outreach and other related activities that investigate how innovative transportation finance, industry clusters, and transportation technologies affect economic competitiveness. As in previous years, the overall focus continues to be on investigating how innovations in transportation can contribute to economic competitiveness. As of December 31, 2025, the team had held an outreach event on local agricultural industry clusters, assembled a newsletter for distribution to Advisory Board members, and begun planning for the next Board meeting on January 30, 2026.
Project Details
- Project number: 2026017
- Start date: 07/2025
- Project status: Active
- Research area: Planning and Economy
- Topics:
Economic competitiveness