Completed Research

Campus Transit Research Underway

For the third consecutive year, SURTC is surveying more students at North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College to learn their attitudes toward transit and how they use the Metropolitan Area Transit system.

MAT operates 27 fixed-route buses. The previous studies determined when and where the heaviest student ridership took place, allowing MAT to adjust accordingly.

"The first two years of studies established baseline information on transit use and attitudes among area college students," says Jill Hough, SURTC director. "Continuing surveys will reveal changes in transit use patterns and help MAT better tailor its services and promotional activities."

The Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments and MAT will work with SURTC to analyze the results and develop ways to improve student mobility. A report on the first two years of research is available at www.surtc.org/research/reports.php.

The study is being conducted by Hough and staff members Del Peterson, Gary Hegland, David Ripplinger and Dustin Ulmer.

Mobility Study Completed

SURTC has nearly completed an 18-month comprehensive look at transportation methods, demographics and geography in North Dakota to find ways to improve mobility for the state's residents.

The study is being conducted for the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and SURTC researchers offered preliminary recommendations to DOT officials at a meeting in January.

"There is no one silver bullet that will meet all of the mobility needs across the state," says Jon Mielke, the SURTC researcher leading the project. "That's because everybody's mobility needs are different and unique."

At the meeting, DOT director Dave Sprynczynatyk said he hopes the plan will eventually lead to the development of a mobility index that will allow the DOT to identify areas that require service enhancements and to continually monitor progress that is being made towards the achievement of mobility goals.

"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 effort was launched in April 2004 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.

A copy of the report "Personal Mobility in North Dakota: Trends, Gaps, and Recommended Enhancements" (DP-165) and the executive summary is available for download at www.surtc.org/research/reports.php.

Research or Training Ideas

• Please send us your research or training ideas. E-mail info@surtc.org or contact Jill Hough at (701)231-8082.
• Discuss a topic or pose a question on the discussion board to receive feedback from other transit systems or affiliates. Go to www.surtc.org/signup/dboard.php.