Minnesota’s Freight Performance Measures

Cecil Selness, Director Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations

Minnesota Department of Transportation

FHWA Talking Freight SeminarAugust 17, 2005

Planning Context

Minnesota StatewideFreight Plan

Minnesota StatewideTransportation Plan

Minnesota DOTStrategic Plan

Statewide Freight Policy

“Provide an integrated system of freight transportation in Minnesota - highway, rail, water, air cargo and

intermodal terminals - that offers safe, reliable, and competitive access to

statewide, national and international markets.”

Freight Policy Framework

• Improve Statewide Infrastructure• Improve National/International

Infrastructure• Enhance Operations and Safety• Enhance Freight Integration• Strengthen Partnerships• Streamline Regulatory Activities

• Tie measures to freight policies and strategies

• Understandable to shippers, carriers, elected officials, transportation officials– Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee

Freight Performance Measure CriteriaCR

ITER

IA

• What decisions are affected?

• How will we use the measures?

• Is the data available? What resources are needed?

• How will know when we have successful performance?

Freight Performance Measure CriteriaCR

ITER

IA

• What is being measured:

– Input- e.g., Budget allocation– Process- e.g., Permits Issued– Outputs- e.g., Miles of 10 ton highways– Outcomes- e.g., Fatalities on highway

system

Freight Performance Measure CriteriaCR

ITER

IA

• Performance Measure vs. Indicator– Sphere of Control vs. Sphere of Influence– Program vs. Economic Indicators

• Perspective– Statewide vs. Regional vs. Local– Corridor vs. Mode

Freight Performance Measure CriteriaCR

ITER

IA

• Infrastructure• Local Access• Global Connections• Safety• Regulation

Freight PerformanceMeasure Categories

• Pavement ride quality is acceptable• Bridge structures meets standards• Rail track-miles with track speeds greater

than or equal to 25 mph• Rail track-miles with 286,000 lb railcar

rating• Intermodal facilities with adequate infrastructure condition

Freight Performance Measures:Infrastructure

INFR

ASTR

UCT

URE

• Major freight generators with appropriate roadway/rail access

• Intermodal facilities (ports/terminals) with appropriate roadway/rail access.

• Airports with air cargo operations and appropriate roadway access

Freight Performance Measures:Local Access

LOCA

L AC

CESS

• Direct international air cargo freight service• Average delays at river locks• Capacity of container-handling & bulk

transfer facilities

Freight Performance Measures:Global Connections

GLO

BAL

CON

NEC

TIO

NS

• Heavy truck crash rate• Heavy truck-related fatalities• Crashes at rail crossings (3-yr avg.)• Fatalities at rail crossings (3-yr avg.) • At-grade rail crossings meeting grade-separation guidelines

Freight Performance Measures:Safety

SAFE

TY

• % overweight trucks on major highways• Coordinate regulation with adjoining states• Permits & credentials via the internet• Carriers trained• Pavement life preserved by truck weight enforcement

Freight Performance Measures:Streamlined and Effective

RegulationRE

GU

LATI

ON

• Competitive Rates (selected commodities, modes, markets)

• Mode Share (major commodity groups)• Geographic Market Share (tons/value

to/from major trading partners)• Travel Times (commodities, modes,

markets)

Freight Performance Indicators(Developed by MFAC)

IND

ICAT

ORS

Example:Truck-Related Fatalities

Example:Railroad Crossing Fatalities

Example:Clearance Time

Example:Congestion

Example:Pavement Condition

Example:Permits

Web-based Permit Applications Received

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

July-

04 (2

5%)

Aug-0

4 (24

%)

Sept-0

4 (25

%)

Octobe

r-04

Novem

ber-0

4

Decem

ber-0

4

Janu

ary-05

Februa

ry-05

March

-05

April-0

5

May-05

June

-05

More Information

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/statewide_plan.htm

Minnesota Statewide Freight Plan now available online

Cecil Selness, Director Office of Freight and

Commercial Vehicle OperationsMinnesota Department of Transportation

651-406-4789Cecil.Selness@dot.state.mn.us

Contact Information