The U’s Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness (TPEC) Program was formed in 2013 to provide a better understanding of the impacts of transportation policies and innovations on Minnesota’s economy. A report of TPEC’s progress to date is now available on the program website.
Housed in the State and Local Policy Program (SLPP) of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, TPEC creates objective knowledge to inform decision making. Researchers focus on three overarching topics: transportation finance, industry clusters and freight infrastructure, and technology.
“Our team examines current policies to create a baseline of knowledge and looks ahead to find solutions and opportunities,” says Frank Douma, SLPP director. “The tools we create, such as a transportation finance database and a national freight atlas, are a valuable resource for policymakers, not just in the Twin Cities metro but throughout the state and region.”
Work is continuing under the program, including plans for a task force that will examine the potential impacts of self-driving vehicles on people who are transportation disadvantaged.
