Minnesota Department of Transportation Western Minnesota Regional Freight Study Final Report September, 2009 Prepared by Wilbur Smith Associates, in Partnership with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., C.J. Petersen and Associates, and The University of Toledo Western Minnesota Regional Freight Study i Table of Contents Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................1 Key Findings and Recommendations......................................................................................2 1. Explore Opportunities to Expand Intermodal Services in Dilworth, MN............................2 2. Establish A Regional Freight Advisory Committee...........................................................3 3. Designate a Tiered Truck Network..................................................................................4 4. Identify Commercial Commodity Corridors.....................................................................6 5. Freight Safety and Information Strategies......................................................................9 6. Designate Super-Haul Corridors for Permit Operations...................................................9 7. Consider Policies to Improve Regional Truck Size & Weight Uniformity.......................12 8. Undertake a number of Quick Start Projects (less than $50,000):................................13 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1 Background.............................................................................................................................1 The Study Region...................................................................................................................2 Freight Trends and Issues ................................................................................................................3 Structural Changes to the U.S. Economy................................................................................4 Economic Changes in the Study Region.............................................................................4 The Growth in Global Trade....................................................................................................6 Key Trade Flows and Markets for the Study Region...............................................................9 Commodity Flows For Mn/DOT District 2................................................................................9 Commodity Flows For Mn/DOT District 4..............................................................................10 Commodity Flows For Mn/DOT District 8..............................................................................11 The Logistics Revolution.......................................................................................................12 Regional Supply Chain Examples.........................................................................................13 Grain Supply Chains.........................................................................................................13 All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Manufacturing Supply Chains...................................18 Wind Generation Electrical Supply Chain..........................................................................21 Key Regional Infrastructure............................................................................................................23 Intermodal.............................................................................................................................23 Regional Roadway Networks................................................................................................26 Air Cargo..............................................................................................................................36 Pipelines...............................................................................................................................38 Program Analysis and Recommendations ..................................................................................40 1. Dilworth Railroad Intermodal Service Expansion...............................................................41 Competitive Situation of the Dilworth Terminal..................................................................43 Potential Measures to Restore Rail Service to Dilworth / Improve Rates...........................50 Recommendations for Expanding Intermodal Service at Dilworth.........................................55 2. Establish Regional Freight Advisory Committee................................................................55 Recommendations for Establishing a District or Regional FAC.............................................56 3. Designate A Tiered Truck Network....................................................................................57 Recommendations for a Tiered Truck Network.....................................................................61 4. Identify Commercial Corridors for Priority Investment.......................................................62 Roadways with Shoulders Less Than 6 Feet.....................................................................62 Roadways with AADT Over 11,200...................................................................................67 Ride Quality Index.............................................................................................................69 Proximity of Freight Generators to Tier 1 Corridors...........................................................73 Heavy Commercial Truck Volumes...................................................................................75 Recommendations for Commercial Commerce Corridors.....................................................77 Western Minnesota Regional Freight Study ii 5. Freight Safety and Information Strategies.........................................................................77 511 Enhancements...........................................................................................................78 Rest Area Parking Availability...........................................................................................79 Intersection/Entry Warning Systems..................................................................................83 Wildlife Warning................................................................................................................84 Alternate Routing Plan......................................................................................................85 Dynamic/Changeable Message Signs (DMS/CMS)...........................................................87 511....................................................................................................................................87 Truck Priority at Signalized Intersections...........................................................................88 Recommendations for Freight Safety and Information Strategies..........................................89 6. Super Haul Truck Corridors...............................................................................................91 Recommendations for Super-Haul Truck Permit Corridors....................................................94 7. Consider Policies to Improve Regional Truck Size & Weight Uniformity............................94 Background: General Network Limitations........................................................................94 Recommendations to Improve Regional Truck Size & Weight Uniformity............................105 8. Undertake a number of Quick Start Projects (less than $50,000):...................................106 Background.....................................................................................................................106 Recommendations for Quick Start Projects.........................................................................106 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................................108 List of Tables Table 1: Average Weekly Wage by Industry...................................................................6 Table 2: Growth in Trade – U.S. and Minnesota (Millions of $)......................................8 Table 3: Key Export Commodities District 2, 2007..........................................................9 Table 4: Key Import Commodities District 2, 2007.........................................................10 Table 5: Key Export Commodities District 4, 2007........................................................10 Table 6: Key Import Commodities District 4, 2007.........................................................11 Table 7: Key Export Commodities District 8, 2007........................................................11 Table 8: Key Import Commodities District 8, 2007.........................................................11 Table 9: Intermodal Terminals in Western MN.............................................................24 Table 10: NHS and STRAHNET System Miles..............................................................28 Table 11: NN and Twin Trailer Network System Miles..................................................28 Table 12: Railroad Miles in Western MN.......................................................................34 Table 13: Comparison of Rates for 20 Ft Container Dilworth vs. St.