Freight Rail Economic Development Study

About the study

Commissioned by the 2012 Legislature, the Freight Rail Economic Development (FRED) Study charges the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to cooperatively assess the economic impact of freight rail in the state.

The study recommends strategies for shippers, railroads, and economic development and transportation agencies to work together more effectively – supporting expanded local rail access, complimentary business development, and improved rail and intermodal service options.

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Final report

View the report (PDF, 2.77 MB)

Appendix 1: State Rail Programs in Neighboring States and Peer Review Inventory (PDF, 90.4 KB)
Appendix 2: Analysis of Potential Rail Development Funding Programs for Minnesota (PDF, 13.7 MB)
Appendix 3: Ohio Rail Development Commission Benefit-Cost Calculator (PDF, 172 KB)
Appendix 4: Inbound and Outbound Tonnage Maps (PDF, 7.85 MB)

Legislative report

View the report (PDF, 1 MB)

Cover Letter (PDF, 0.5 MB)

Maps, data and tools for industry and partners

Rail shipper's toolkit (PDF)
Cost-benefit calculator (XLS, 83.1 KB)
Peer state review products (XLS, 106 KB)
Freight maps

Major railroad activity in Minnesota. — Minnesota railroads move a large percentage of the state's goods, as shown by the arrival and departure of multiple trains and hundreds of railcars in this railroad terminal.

Emerging markets for railroad shipments. — As rail service expands, one of the emerging markets is expedited shipments of perishable food products in refrigerated trains.