state dot and rdo data collaboration

2016 National Regional Transportation ConferenceChattanooga, Tennessee

RDOs in Minnesota Data collaboration projects

◦ Urban area adjustments◦ Statewide functional classification review◦ Roadway data verification

Future collaboration◦ Functional classification (ongoing)◦ NHS intermodal connectors

Established in 1969 by State Legislature (Regional Development Act)

Boundaries set in statute

12 districts in Greater Minnesota

Involved in transportation, economic development, land use planning and more

MnDOT has provided grants since the late 1970s Standard planning grant is $75,000 per RDC per

year RDOs provide local knowledge and expertise to

MnDOT

2012 U.S. Census released new urban areas based on 2010 decennial Census

Urban area boundaries (of populations 5,000 and above) distinguish between “rural” and “urban” functional classification

Federal legislation allows State DOTs to adjust urban boundaries◦ Must include all Census-defined area◦ Must be approved by FHWA

57 urban areas in Minnesota with a population of 5,000 or more (includes 8 urbanized/MPO areas)

Worked with local officials to review and adjust the boundary

Served as liaison between MnDOT and local officials to facilitate comments and reach consensus

Coordinated local approval of agreed-upon boundary

All boundaries approved by February 2014

Adjusted urban area boundaries approved in February 2014

New FHWA functional classification guidance in October 2013

Roadways serve many purposes from long-distance travel to neighborhood travel

Functional classification defines the role each roadway plays in the overall network

Worked with local partners to review the draft functional classification system prepared by MnDOT

Facilitated the review process between MnDOT and local partners

Served on the statewide functional classification review Oversight Committee◦ Addressed situations when consensus could not

be reached◦ Made final decision on how roadway classified

Functional classification approved by FHWA in October 2015

Review/approve functional classification change requests

Example: Conditional miles◦ Public functional – publicly owned and maintained

roadway that is open to the public at least 8 months per year and passable by a standard vehicle

◦ Public conditional – publicly owned roadway but does not meet any of the other public functional conditions

◦ Non-public – not under the jurisdiction of any public authority

RDO role: Work with county/city engineers to review roadway segments, update as needed

Continue maintenance of functional classification system

Continue roadway data verification Review of NHS intermodal connectors

Ronda AllisPrincipal PlannerRonda.allis@state.mn.us507-304-6196

Bobbi Retzlaff, AIPCPlanning Program Coordinatorbobbi.retzlaff@state.mn.us651-366-3793