Chapter 5 Page 83 WHAT COMES NEXT FOR MnDOT? Connecting the Minnesota GO Vision, Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, and modal investment plans and identifying how performance measures will be used to guide investments SEPTEMBER 2012 Page 84 This page intentionally left blank. Page 85 WHAT COMES NEXT FOR MnDOT? The Minnesota GO Vision and Guiding Principles were shaped with the input of Minnesotans from all walks of life. They also draw from the plans and policies of the tribes, MPOs, and other regional and local transportation partners. The Minnesota GO Vision and Guiding Principles with the objectives and strategies set out in Chapter 4 “How will we guide ourselves moving forward?” provide a framework for all transportation partners to work together to develop, maintain, and operate Minnesota’s multimodal transportation system more efficiently and effectively. They also provide the policy direction for MnDOT’s modal investment plans that come after this plan. This chapter describes how the Minnesota GO Vision, Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, and performance measures will be used to shape subsequent MnDOT plans and investment decisions. Additionally, it identifies how the objectives and strategies provide policy direction for MnDOT and serve as a framework or guidance for our partners moving forward. Working with our transportation partners through better coordination and collaboration is a priority. Figure 5-1 shows the three main planning areas that make up the Minnesota GO planning process and provide the strategic planning framework for MnDOT, starting with the Vision and ending with the modal investment plans. Figure 5-1: Minnesota GO Planning Areas Page 86 MnDOT’s Family of Plans Minnesota GO started with just the Minnesota GO 50-year Vision, but extends to an entire Family of Plans that provide direction for different transportation modes (highways, transit, rail, bikes, pedestrians, waterways, aviation). MnDOT’s Family of Plans includes four tiers of planning. The first two tiers of planning are the Minnesota GO Vision and the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan. The third tier consists of the modal investment plans. The last tier is supporting plans which complement and inform the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan and modal investment plans. The Minnesota GO plans and other supporting plans provide the information that feeds into capital programs and operating plans. The main capital programming planning document is the four-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Collectively, these four tiers of planning meet state and federal requirements. Linking the adopted Minnesota GO Vision to what is being said in this plan as well as the subsequent plans is important. Figure 5-2 provides an example of how a desired outcome of the Vision (connections) may carry through to the State Highway Investment Plan. Figure 5-3 shows how MnDOT plans and programs fit together to make up the Family of Plans. Minnesota tribes, MPOs, RDCs, and other locals are part of MnDOT’s planning process from start to finish. MODAL INVESTMENT PLANS MnDOT’s modal investment plans will use the Minnesota GO Vision and Guiding Principles and the objectives and strategies identified in this plan as their framework for development. These plans draw on a broad array of other plans and studies to set out mode-specific strategies, performance measures, performance-based needs over upcoming years, risk-based investment tradeoffs, and recommended priorities. Modal investment plans will use risk-based planning to determine investment direction for the programming of available transportation funding. Each is updated every four to six years. Figure 5-2: Connecting the Vision. Starting at the top with the Minnesota GO Vision and ending with the State Highway Investment Plan. Explaining how elements of the Vision including guiding principles connect with objectives and strategies of this plan and ultimately could be connected in the State Highway Investment Plan. Minnesota GO Vision Desired Outcome: The system connects Minnesota’s primary assets–the people, natural resources and businesses within the state–to each other and to markets and resources outside the state and country. Minnesota GO Vision Guiding Principles: Ensure regional connections–Key regional centers need to be connected to each other through multiple modes of transportation. Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan Objective: Critical Connections–Identify global, national, statewide, regional, and local transportation connections essential for Minnesotans’ prosperity and quality of life; maintain and improve those connections by maximizing return-on-investment, given constrained resources; and consider new connections. Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan Strategy: MnDOT and local and regional partners work together to define priority networks for connectivity and accessibility within the multimodal transportation system. Modal Investment Plans: State Highway Investment Plan Possible Strategy: Give priority to the Interregional Corridor System and supplemental freight routes. Modal Investment Plans: State Highway Investment Plan Possible Performance Measure: Establish higher performance targets for travel time and pavement condition along IRC and supplemental freight routes. Page 87 Figure 5-3: MnDOT Plans and Programs. This figure identifies MnDOT's four areas of planning: Policy Direction; Modal Investment Plans; Captial Programs/ Operating Plans; and Implementation. Policy direction includes the Minnesota GO 50-year Vision and 20-year Statewide Mutlimodal Transportation Plan. The modal investment plans includes MnDOT's four modal investment plans (as described below) and a series of supporting studies, documents and plans such as MnDOT's ADA Transition Plan. The capital programs/operating plans includes the 4-year State T ransportation Improvement Program, and project supporting plans and programs. The implementation area includes primarily maintenance and operations, and construction. MnDOT’s four modal investment plans are: State Aviation System Plan–This document broadly plans for Minnesota public airports. It informs decision making and guides the development of Minnesota’s system of airports. The State Aviation System Plan will be adopted in 2012. State Highway Investment Plan–This plan sets a performance-based, 20- year plan for future capital improvements on Minnesota’s trunk highway system by prioritizing investments based on estimated risk. The next State Highway Investment Plan will be completed in 2013. Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan–This plan sets priorities for transit investments and determines the level of funding necessary for the state to meet its transit needs in Greater Minnesota. The Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan was adopted in 2011. Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan– This plan establishes guidance for Minnesota initiatives and investments for both freight and passenger rail services. The Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan was adopted in 2010. Picture of Minnesota Comprhensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan cover. Picture of Statewide 20-year Highway Investment Plan cover. Picture of Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan cover. Picture of 2006 Minneosta Aviation Plan Cover. Page 88 SUPPORTING PLANS On-going monitoring of system performance offers feedback on the results of system investment decisions and provides key information about future needs to guide updates of the Family of Plans. MnDOT is currently in the process of completing a Bicycle Planning Study that will be a supporting document to the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan and State Highway Investment Plan. The study will assist in defining the Department’s approach to bicycle infrastructure investment. Other Plans and Studies Many other plans complement and inform the statewide plan, modal investment plans, and capital programs. These include long-range transportation plans shaped by Minnesota’s tribes and by seven designated MPOs that are developed in coordination with MnDOT. Other plans that directly influence strategies and investment priorities include the following federally-required plans: Minnesota Strategic Highway Safety Plan. MnDOT Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. Intelligent Transportation Systems Architecture Plan. Transit/Human Services Coordination Plans. MnDOT-originated plans and studies also add fuller understanding of transportation system needs and options, for example: Minnesota Statewide Freight Plan and studies Interregional Corridor System Intercity Bus Network Study Bicycle and Pedestrian Resources and Guidance MnDOT Asset Management Plan (in development) Highway System Operations Plan Study of Transportation Long-range Funding Solutions Picture of Minnesota Strategic Highway Safety Plans Cover. Picture of MnDOT ADA Transition Plan cover. Picture of State Transportation Improvement Program cover. Page 89 CAPITAL PROGRAMS Investment priorities and funding programs are developed based on the information in the MnDOT Family of Plans. They are updated annually, taking into account changing conditions and reports about system performance. These documents guide implementation for construction, modal programs, and maintenance and operations within the constraints of available funds and resources. Drawn together into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program are priority lists of projects to be funded and implemented over the upcoming four years. MnDOT and transportation partners, including Minnesota tribes and MPOs, collaborate at the regional level to guide investment decisions by working through the ATPs to prioritize and select projects for funding and implementation. The Overview of Planning and Programming in Minnesota is a helpful source to explain these partnerships and transportation investment processes. Picture of 2003-2023 and 2009-2028 Minnesota Statewide Transportation Plan covers. Page 90 Performance Measurement The Minnesota GO planning process (Vision, Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, and modal investment plans) aims to enhance and protect the transportation assets and services that affect Minnesotans’ quality of life, environment, and economy. MnDOT will continually track economic and demographic trends as well as the effectiveness of the strategies identified in this plan. This information coupled with data about the multimodal transportation system’s condition and performance helps to identify best practices and ways to improve results. Performance measures provide quantitative information to help make better investment decisions. They are an integral part of system management and have been used by MnDOT since the 1990s to evaluate services and guide plans, projects, and investments. Figure 5-4 includes selected existing MnDOT performance measures for each of the six objective areas of this plan that have been drawn from MnDOT’s ongoing performance management program. Performance measures are by no means static and should evolve to better align with the Minnesota GO Vision. Mode-specific performance measures and targets will be set by the highway, aviation, transit, and rail investment plans within the Family of Plans (e.g. pavement and bridge condition, miles of bicycle and walking facilities, installation of flight navigation aids, transit ridership and service availability, rail-grade crossing warnings). Measures such as snow/ice clearance time are also established for trunk highway operations. Each modal investment plan includes a comparison of measured system condition and performance, targets, and performance trends and concerns. The resulting understanding of system performance is then reflected in scenarios to compare risks of varying investment levels, strategies, and priorities. Final plans reflect public review and stakeholder input, setting a course for near-term investments and priorities over the following 20 years. The Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan and modal investment plans are updated every four to six years. In the interim, MnDOT provides an annual report on system performance. The report helps to understand how well planning strategies are working and whether any mid-course revisions are necessary. Picture of Annual Minnesota Transportation Performance Report cover Page 91 Figure 5-4: MnDOT Performance Measures. Figure showing performance measures for each plan Objective Area. Performance Measures include: Accountability, Transparency and Communication Projects Let on Schedule, STIP Projects, Current Year: Percent of projects in the first year of the STIP let in the planned year. Customer Satisfaction with Reliability of MnDOT Communications: Percent of respondents to the Omnibus survey that rate the reliability of MnDOT Communications. Transportation in Context Airport Airspace and Land that is Protected: Percent of publicly funded Minnesota airport that have Airport Safety Zoning. Compliance with Criteria Air Pollutant Standards: Federal compliance standards. Outdoor levels of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. MnDOT Use of Cleaner Fuels: Gallons of fuel (with the percent ethanol subtracted) purchased for use in MnDOT on-road vehicles. Critical Connections Travel Speed on Greater Minnesota Interregional Corridors (IRC): Percent of Greater Minnesota Interregional Corridor miles meeting or close to target speed. Access to Scheduled Air Service: Percent of Minnesota's population within 60 minutes of an airport with scheduled airline service. Travel Time Index (TTI) and National Ranking: Ratio of peak to free-flow travel time. Transit Ridership: Passengers served in the Twin Cities Region. Greater Minnesota Public Transit Bus Service Hours: Total number of public transit bus service hours provided compared to the total number of hours needed to meet transit demand. Greater Minnesota Transit Coverage: Number of Greater Minnesota counties with countywide transit service. Asset Management Structural Condition of State Highway Bridges: National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Structural Condition Index. Ride Quality Index (RQI) for State Highway Pavements: Ride Quality Index. Bridge Inspection: On time routine and fracture critical bridge inspections. Snow and Ice Removal: Frequency of achieving bare lane within targeted number of hours. Traveler Safety Fatalities on All Roads: Annual vehicle-related fatalities on all state and local roads. General Aviation Fatalities: Annual fatalities resulting from general aviation crashes in Minnesota. System Security Traffic Signal, Lighting and ITS Maintenance (developmental). Road Drainage Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair (developmental): Tracking of maintenance and repair of highest priority condition four (very poor condition) cross culverts - pipes that go underneath roadways. Page 92 Working With Transportation Partners Implementation of this plan’s policy framework relies on effective coordination and collaboration among Minnesota’s transportation partners. Working with our transportation partners through early and better coordination and collaboration is a priority. Both public outreach and stakeholder meetings during plan development identified this as the factor most critical to the success of Minnesota GO now and in the years to come. MnDOT has a long-standing planning partnership with Minnesota’s MPOs. MPOs carry out a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process within the state’s larger urbanized areas. Both MnDOT and the MPOs share the responsibility of assuring that regional and statewide transportation plans align. Moving forward, MnDOT planners will participate in the development of MPO regional plans and work to ensure a high level of coordination and cooperation. Regular consultation with Minnesota’s tribes, participation on the Advocacy Council for Tribal Transportation, and co-sponsorship of Tribes and Transportation conferences are examples of established partner relations. Minnesota’s unique ATPs bring local and state interests together to determine priorities for surface transportation investment programming. The Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee, Passenger Rail Forum, Minnesota Public Transit Association, State Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee, ADA community, and other advisory groups regularly provide insights from the perspectives of particular interests. Engagement with these established partners and appropriate advisory groups is an expected step whenever the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan or Family of Plans are updated. Two example initiatives that reflect MnDOT’s new approaches and commitment to collaboration across all aspects of transportation system management include: The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Workforce Collaborative is working to build skills and create opportunities so that participation in the jobs and contracted work of Minnesota’s transportation industry reflects the state’s population demographics. The Collaborative is broadening the involvement of traditionally under-represented communities in all aspects of the transportation system, from planning to construction and operation. MnDOT’s Corridor Investment Management Strategy (CIMS) advances the Minnesota GO Vision. It brings together many state agencies and local interests to share information about infrastructure investment needs and opportunities along interstates, freight routes, and some other trunk highway corridors. CIMS intended outcomes include a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process, cost-effective investments and innovative management strategies, as well as partnerships that leverage public resources to achieve multiple purposes. Page 93 Public Engagement MnDOT’s Hear Every Voice guidance voices the agency’s aim to enable all to effectively participate in the transportation planning process and to have ready access to information about the transportation system. When updated, the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan and modal investment plans must each develop a public involvement plan that provides the public and stakeholders with information about the planning effort and opportunities to “weigh-in” on proposed policies, priorities, investments, and other plan analysis and recommendations. As part of the public engagement process MnDOT will strive to ensure an orderly development of future planning initiatives to maximize engagement opportunities while avoiding redundancy and confusion. Plan development outreach includes both face-to-face meetings and online communication with established partners, stakeholders, and the public. Ensuring that interested individuals have options to participate throughout plan development is expected, beginning with early discussions about the plan update process and schedule, exchange of information and views about trends and system changes, along with early review of draft recommendations. Both meetings and posted information must be accessible, consistent with ADA requirements. MnDOT’s goal to engage traditionally under-represented communities can involve making information available in different languages, providing translation services on request, publicizing meetings, and other opportunities via ethnic media, as well as strategizing to meet in community gathering locations when possible and at convenient times. Both state and federal law requires a formal public review process for major plan updates. Whenever a draft plan is released for public review and comment, MnDOT has made it easier to participate in the required formal public hearings by scheduling them in MnDOT facilities across the state that have video conference technology. For additional information on working with transportation partners and public involvement information, a link to the public involvement plan and summary is included in Chapter 6 “How do I get more information?” Picture of people sitting around the table engaging in conversation at a public involvement event Page 94 SUMMARY Beyond this plan, MnDOT will work with transportation partners to realize the objectives and strategies outlined in the previous chapter. It is important to track the outcome of this plan both internally and externally to gauge whether progress is being made toward achievement of the Minnesota GO Vision and plan objectives and strategies. Surveying our partners to identify how objectives and strategies are being used as a framework is important. Picture of attendees listening to presentation at a stakeholder forum in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Picture of Attendees looking at display boards at a public open house. Picture of MnDOT Project Manager explaining display boards to a public open house participant. Picture of MnDOT Planner discussing the Statewide Multimodal Plan with an open house participant.