Mobility Study Looks at North Dakota Demographics and Geography

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and SURTC are taking a comprehensive look at transportation methods, demographics and geography in North Dakota to find ways to improve mobility for the state's residents.

"Our ultimate goal is to compare existing service with needs to determine where the gaps are. Based on that, we'll develop a plan on how best to meet those needs and fill the gaps," says Jon Mielke, the SURTC researcher leading the effort.

The effort was launched in April with a meeting of representatives from nearly two dozen public transportation-related organizations and agencies including social service agencies, transit providers, disability advocacy agencies, and the North Dakota Association of Counties. Those representatives form a steering committee for the study. They identified key issues and outlined concerns faced by transit providers.

The study is part of a statewide strategic transportation plan adopted in 2002 by the NDDOT to provide a shared vision for North Dakota's transportation system. The plan's goals call for a transportation system that allows optimum personal mobility. One of the initiatives is the development of a statewide personal mobility plan.

"Right now, our work is focused on a review of previous research in this area, a study of the demographics of mobility in the state and an inventory of the services available – everything from pedestrian trends, bikes and private automobiles to transit and paratransit systems," Mielke says.

The steering committee for the study is scheduled to meet again Jan. 25 to review progress and help set targets for levels of mobility service across the state. Those levels of service will be dependent on geographic factors such as the size of cities and population density. Demographic factors such as the age of residents, income levels and disabilities will also be considered, Mielke says.

The study is scheduled to be complete by the end of June.

Pilot Schools to be Selected for Bus Routing Program

After information on the School Bus Routing Program was included in the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders newsletter and in the registration packet for the group's annual conference Oct. 11, schools inquired about becoming pilot cases for the program.

"We plan to select two schools to pilot the program," says Jill Hough, SURTC director. "We're looking at the schools to select those that have busing challenges that are representative of issues faced by districts across the state."

Many districts are seeing continuing consolidation leading to longer routes with more distance between students. A few schools are seeing development and growth, prompting the expansion of routes. All school districts are feeling pressure to make scarce dollars stretch farther. "We realize that the time, expertise and technology to develop bus routes is often lacking in school districts," says Jill Hough, director of SURTC. "We see that as a niche we can fill to help many districts across the state."

SURTC staff members are developing custom software to assist in designing efficient bus routes. The software builds on expertise in the center on rural roads and transportation as well as transit operations and mobility. "Our goal in working with the pilot schools is to identify any potential problems in our processes and software before we begin implementing the program on a wider basis," Hough says. "The benefit for participating districts is that they will be the first to see improved efficiency in their bus routes resulting in cost savings for their districts," Hough says.

Participating districts will share student lists and addresses with SURTC and provide feedback on how the routing program worked in their district.