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Transportation Planning & Economics
Our Transportation Planning and Economics program assists implementers and policy makers in the creation of more sustainable rural transportation systems by researching the impacts of and relationships between transportation, land use, planning and policy and economies.
The Transportation Planning and Economics research group works to assist implementers and policy makers in the creation of more sustainable transportation systems serving rural communities by researching the impact and interrelationships between transportation, land use, planning and policy, and our economy.
Show Only Projects Pertaining To…
2 Projects
Regional Surface Transportation Workforce Center – West Region
Started October, 2014
The purpose of this project is to establish a center that will enhance access to education, outreach and training programs in a 10-state western region, with the ultimate goal of growing the transportation workforce.
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See Full Project »Valuation of Temporary Transportation Facility Use Losses
Started November, 2001
The overall goal of this investigation is to document the state-of-the-practice related to the identification, valuation and recovery of costs associated with temporary facility use losses.. .
See Full Project »2 Projects
Show Only Projects Pertaining To…
29 Projects
Last Mile Commercial Package Delivery as a Revenue Generation Tool for Rural Public Transportation Systems in Wyoming
Started July, 2016
The goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of last mile package delivery as a revenue generation tool for rural public transportation systems in Wyoming, which will include exploring the impact of technologies and innovative last mile package delivery systems, and how rural public transportation systems may have a role in the process.. .
See Full Project »Operations and Travel Information Integration Sharing (OTIIS): Operations and Maintenance
Started April, 2015
The Operations Evaluation report summarizes Phase II, which included operating and maintaining the system for an evaluation phase from April 2015 – December 2016. The report includes a brief overview of the development of the system, a description of the system, experiences from operations of the system, system usage analytics, and conclusions. The research team concluded that that during Phase II, the OTIIS system provided more than 12,000 users with the ability to see road conditions and plan their trips seamlessly along the NWP corridor
See Full Project »MDT Special Event Planning Synthesis
Started December, 2014
The final report includes finding from the literature review, MDT current practice assessment and local agency survey. For example, the local agency survey revealed a number of common challenges for special event organizers:
• Securing resources to comply with traffic control requirements;
• Finding certified flaggers to conduct traffic control;
• Enforcing parking and traffic management for large events; and
• Many events require organizers to submit both a city and MDT permit application.
Local stakeholders also shared many common best practices, including:
• Joint, coordinated advance planning and traffic management involving organizers, local government, MDT, and law enforcement;
• Public notification in advance of event;
• Traveler information signage and services (day of event);
• Parking and transportation alternatives (park and ride lots, shuttles, etc.);
• Use of experienced traffic management firm for traffic control; and
• Post-event reviews and evaluations to improve event management.
The final report also includes recommendations for MDT to consider to facilitate special event planning..
See Full Project »MDT Research Implementation Plan
Started August, 2014
The purpose of project is for the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) to assist the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in creating a formalized process for implementing research conducted on their behalf.. .
See Full Project »Central Federal Lands Transportation Assistance
Started May, 2013
The objective of this project is to provide transportation planning services to units of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services..
See Full Project »Operation and Travel Information Integration Sharing (OTIIS) for North/West Passage – FHWA
Started February, 2013
The purpose of this project was to research, develop, and test a technology solution that provides commercial and private vehicle drivers with a single, integrated source of information to promote safety and mobility for a multi-state corridor.. .
See Full Project »Operation and Travel Information Integration Sharing (OTIIS) for North/West Passage – MDT
Started February, 2013
The purpose of this project was to research, develop, and test a technology solution that provides commercial and private vehicle drivers with a single, integrated source of information to promote safety and mobility for a multi-state corridor.. .
See Full Project »Impacts to Montana’s State Highways Due to Bakken Oil
Started April, 2012
This purpose of this study was to developed a detailed truck traffic forecasting model with specific attention to truck movements related to oil development in the Bakken formation in eastern Montana and western North Dakota.. .
See Full Project »Livability Benchmarks for Montana Transportation
Started January, 2011
As described in the final report, this study found that Montana has some unique characteristics that may have a bearing on measures of its livability. For example, sixty-two percent of Montanans live in areas where the population density is 800 people per square mile or higher, but those areas account for only 0.1 percent of the land area. Along with its unique character, the surveys conducted for this study indicate that Montana is also a good place to live
See Full Project »Travel Demand Forecasting Model for Gallatin Valley
Started March, 2010
The objective of this project is to develop a travel demand forecasting model for Gallatin County, Montana, which will support current rural land use planning and analysis efforts.. .
See Full Project »Montana Fuel Tax Refunds
Started January, 2010
As described in the final report, the final outcome of this project was the development of 13 recommendations for revising Montana’s motor fuel tax refund process. The
recommendations have the potential to impact EOE (errors, omissions and evasions), the application effort for the claimant, the administrative effort for MDT, the dollars refunded by MDT and/or the equity of the tax burden across affected fuel users.
Montana Fuel Tax Refunds – UTC
Started January, 2010
As described in the final report, the final outcome of this project was the development of 13 recommendations for revising Montana’s motor fuel tax refund process. The recommendations have the potential to impact EOE (errors, omissions and evasions), the application effort for the claimant, the administrative effort for MDT, the dollars refunded by MDT and/or the equity of the tax burden across affected fuel users..
See Full Project »Montana Rest Area Usage: Data Acquisition and Usage Estimation
Started July, 2009
The objective of this research is to develop Montana-specific rest area usage guidelines with respect to water usage and traffic (vehicle, patrons) in order to supplement, replace and /or confirm current practices for rest area site selection, design and facilities management.. .
See Full Project »Butte Heritage Project: Investigation of Innovative Uses
Started August, 2007
An Evaluation of Montana’s State Truck Activities Reporting System (Addendum)
Started December, 2004
To refine and improve the way that data from Montana’s State Truck Activities Reporting System (STARS) is processed to make it a more effective tool for planning weight enforcement activities by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).. .
See Full Project »Urban Traffic Classification Study
Started April, 2004
Record 24-hour traffic counts in urban locations using mobile video-based traffic detection systems.. .
See Full Project »Evaluation of Montana Department of Transportation’s Transportation Awareness Program – UTC
Started April, 2004
The evaluation will determine the percentage of Montanans know about the Transportation Awareness Program. This evaluation will also determine the perceived benefits of the program and what improvements could be made..
See Full Project »Evaluation of Biodiesel Fuel: Field Test
Started December, 2003
To provide the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the State Legislature with better information to help them make policy decisions regarding future biodiesel usage in the state.. .
See Full Project »Gallatin County Transportation Infrastructure Assessment and Recommendations
Started November, 2003
To assist the County in developing a capital program in response to existing transportation infrastructure needs and to plan for forecasted needs. This financial plan will also evaluate various options to generate funds required to implement the recommendations..
See Full Project »Evaluation of Biodiesel Fuel: Literature Review
Started July, 2003
To provide the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the State Legislature with better information to help them make policy decisions regarding future biodiesel usage in the state. The purpose of the literature review was to examine the body of literature that currently exists regarding laboratory and field experience with the use of biodiesel fuels, with an emphasis on oil seed-based biodiesel..
See Full Project »Transportation Toolkit for Federal Land Managers
Started June, 2003
Online Toolkit Available (Toolkit). .
See Full Project »Information Technology to Support National Park Alternative Transportation
Started November, 2002
Continue to identify, develop and evaluate information and visual and auditory display technologies that will enhance the visitor experience, especially for visitors that are using alternative transportation modes. Coordinate findings with National Park Service alternative vehicle staff..
See Full Project »Effects of Alternative Transportation Modes and Vehicles on Visitor Experience in Yellowstone National Park
Started November, 2001
A user-centered design process will be used to document requirements, develop low fidelity prototypes, and perform initial formative evaluation of an interactive Visit Enhancement System that could be used by visitors touring on alternative transportation modes in Yellowstone National Park.. .
See Full Project »Transportation Planning and Management for Major Events Synthesis
Started March, 2001
The intent of this overall investigation is to identify and document transportation-related activities to the planning and management of special events.. .
See Full Project »Development of a Primer of Aviation
Started March, 2000
The main goal of this project is to increase the understanding of Montana’s aviation infrastructure, management and preservation, by a spatially diverse workforce in rural and remote areas of the state. The course uses distance education technology to deliver the course and will develop a methodology for providing continuing education units or professional development hours..
See Full Project »State Truck Activities Reporting System (STARS)
Started January, 2000
The objective of this project is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness, existing pavement performance, and planning and design activities by the widespread implementation and use of weigh-in-motion equipment – permanent and portable.. .
See Full Project »Evaluation of Low-cost Weigh-in-motion at Armington Junction Weigh Station
Started May, 1999
To evaluate the accuracy, operations and maintenance requirements and relative costs of a new low cost weigh-in-motion system that is less sensitive to the infrastructure in which it is placed. Results if successful, will lead to widespread implementation in rural areas where lower truck traffic volumes.
See Full Project »Montana Long Range Rest Area Plan Update
Started July, 1998
The Montana Department of Transportation, Planning Division is undertaking a three-phase effort to determine (1) current rest area conditions and services, (2) the needs and expectations of rest area users, and (3) appropriate planning guidelines to better direct rest area improvements and resources.. .
See Full Project »Rest Area Survey
Started July, 1998
The overall goal of this effort was twofold: (1) to obtain information related to the needs and expectations of rest area users in Montana that may later be directly incorporated into rest area planning efforts, and (2) to support the MDT, Planning Division mission “to provide ways for interested citizens and stakeholders to obtain information and provide input into transportation planning and decision-making.. .
See Full Project »29 Projects
3 News Posts
Transportation Fellows Benefit from Networking and Learning Opportunities at TRB Forums
Posted on November 19th, 2019
Recently, WTI co-hosted the Transportation Research Board (TRB) International Conference on Low Volume Roads, held in Kalispell, Montana earlier this fall. Attendees who stayed a few extra days could opt to take part in another Transportation Research Board (TRB) event – the mid-year meeting of the TRB Committee on Transportation Needs of National Parks and Public Lands (ADA40), which has synergistic interests in topics related to providing access and safe travel in rural, remote, or unique locations. Happy scheduling coincidence? On the contrary, the two planning committees coordinated the dates of their forums to encourage attendance and allow participants to add value to their trips. View Full News Post »