Commuter Study
The Northstar Commuter Rail provides daily rider service in Central Minnesota between St. Cloud and Minneapolis.
Overview
Central Minnesota’s population and economic growth warranted the need to explore additional transportation alternatives to accommodate the needs of commuters. District 3 conducted a Commuter Needs Study in 2012 to determine how best to improve the area’s public transit, park-and-rides, and car pool programs.
Central Minnesota
The focus area included 12 counties in central Minnesota
Benton Cass Crow Wing Isanti |
Kanabec Mille Lacs Morrison Sherburne |
Stearns Todd Wadena Wright |
The study includes an extensive inventory of existing services and programs. Public outreach was an integral part in gathering input; this included phone surveys, interviews, open houses and focus groups.
Study documentation
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Demographic and Employment Characteristics of Study Area
- Existing Transportation Services
- Regional Transportation Infrastructure
- Understanding Existing Commutes and Opportunities in the Region: Survey Results
- Regional Commute Patterns
- Regional Commuter Goals and Objectives
- Regional Transportation Toolbox and Performance Measures
- Commuter Services: Demand Evaluation of Corridors
- Park-and-Ride Lots
- Regional Rideshare Concepts and Standards
- Defining Preferred Alternatives
- Financial Strategy
- Implementation Considerations
Appendices
- Technical Advisory Committee (A)
- Supportive Transit Information (B)
- Highway Data (C)
- Park and Ride/Pool Data and Inventory (D)
- Telephone Survey Instrument (E)
- Park and Ride Survey (F)
- Employer Survey Instrument (G)
- Major Employers (H)
- Summaries from Public Focus Groups and Employer Meetings (I)
- Park-and-Ride Facility Development Guidance (J)
Central Minnesota Commuter Study, Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 3, July 2012