2020 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE EVALUATION The Council’s mission is to foster efficient and economic growth for a prosperous metropolitan region Metropolitan Council Members Charlie Zelle Chair Raymond Zeran District 9 Judy Johnson District 1 Peter Lindstrom District 10 Reva Chamblis District 2 Susan Vento District 11 Christopher Ferguson District 3 Francisco J. Gonzalez District 12 Deb Barber District 4 Chai Lee District 13 Molly Cummings District 5 Kris Fredson District 14 Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson District 6 Phillip Sterner District 15 Robert Lilligren District 7 Wendy Wulff District 16 Abdirahman Muse District 8 The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. The Council operates the regional bus and rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans and helps fund regional parks, and administers federal funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The 17-member Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor. On request, this publication will be made available in alternative formats to people with disabilities. Call Metropolitan Council information at 651-602-1140 or TTY 651-291-0904. Contents Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................ES-1 2040 Transportation Policy Plan: Updated Regional Transportation ........................................ ES-1 Scope of this Report ................................................................................................................ ES-2 Findings and Conclusions........................................................................................................ ES-3 Chapter 1: The Purpose .......................................................................................................... 1 Scope of this Report ...................................................................................................................... 2 2040 Transportation Policy Plan: Updated Regional Transportation Benchmarks ......................... 3 Chapter 2: The Region and Travel .......................................................................................... 7 Twin Cities Metropolitan Planning Organization Planning Area: Demographics ............................. 7 How the Region Moves: Multimodal Transportation ..................................................................... 28 Chapter 3: The Highway System ........................................................................................... 37 Characteristics of the Regional Highway System ......................................................................... 37 Peer Regions ............................................................................................................................... 63 Findings and Conclusions............................................................................................................ 68 Chapter 4: The Transit System ............................................................................................. 70 Transit in the Twin Cities ............................................................................................................. 70 Peer Transit Systems .................................................................................................................. 96 Successes and Opportunities .................................................................................................... 105 Findings and Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 109 Chapter 5: The Freight System ........................................................................................... 110 Characteristics of the Regional Freight System ......................................................................... 110 Highway System ........................................................................................................................ 113 Rail Freight System ................................................................................................................... 117 Water......................................................................................................................................... 126 Findings and Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 128 Chapter 6: The Bicycle and Pedestrian System .................................................................. 130 Characteristics of the Regional Bicycle System ......................................................................... 131 Walking and Bicycling for Transportation ................................................................................... 137 Findings and Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 142 Chapter 7: The Aviation System .......................................................................................... 144 Characteristics of the Regional Aviation System ........................................................................ 144 Operations ................................................................................................................................. 153 Peer Region Comparison .......................................................................................................... 158 Findings and Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 161 Executive Summary This report is a comprehensive review of the Twin Cities transportation system as prepared by Metropolitan Council in 2020. The Minnesota State Legislature adopted statutes in 1996 requiring the Metropolitan Council to produce this report (previously called the Transportation System Audit). This report was prepared to inform the 2020 update of the region’s long-range transportation plan, the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (2040 TPP). 2040 Transportation Policy Plan: Updated Regional Transportation Benchmarks Minnesota has a long and respected history of performance measures are now incorporated into performance- based transportation planning, the Transportation System Performance operations, and decision- making. The 2040 TPP Evaluation. advances this philosophy and identifies six goals for the regional transportation system, including a Transportation System Stewardship framework for how to achieve them. The goals identified in the 2040 TPP include: Sustainable investments in the transportation system are protected by strategically preserving, maintaining, and • Transportation system stewardship operating system assets. • Safety and security • Access to destinations Safety and Security • Competitive economy The regional transportation system is safe • Healthy environment and secure for all users. • Leveraging transportation investment to guide land use Access to Destinations People and businesses prosper by using a These goals can directly contribute to the vision reliable, affordable, and efficient multimodal in Thrive MSP 2040, the Metropolitan Council’s transportation system that connects them to long-term comprehensive development guide for destinations throughout the region and beyond. the seven-county Twin Cities area that provides the vision for our region’s future. The 2040 TPP Competitive Economy goals and objectives respond to Thrive’s policy direction and tie to the regional outcomes it The regional transportation system supports the economic competitiveness, vitality, and identifies. The 2040 TPP links each goal with one prosperity of the region and state. or more of the Thrive outcomes: Healthy Environment • Stewardship • The regional transportation system Prosperity advances equity and contributes to • Equity communities’ livability and sustainability • while protecting the natural, cultural, and Livability developed environments. • Sustainability Leveraging Transportation Investment to Consistent with Minnesota practice and U.S. Guide Land Use Department of Transportation requirements, the The region leverages transportation Council is also working to develop performance investments to guide land use and measures and targets to evaluate the development patterns that advance the regional vision of stewardship, prosperity, effectiveness of our region’s actions on achieving livability, equity, and sustainability. these goals and outcomes. When relevant, these Page – ES-1 | METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Scope of this Report This document reviews the changing demographics of the region, focusing on population and employment changes from 2013 to 2018. The review of demographics includes Each modal chapter includes an 2000 and 2010 US Census data, as well as 2017 existing system description, a American Community Survey data. There are review of the system some areas where the 2019 Transportation performance where data is Behavior Inventory (TBI) data has been used. available, and a discussion of The various modes of transportation (highways, issues and trends for that transit, freight, bicycle and pedestrian, aviation) system, called Findings and are reviewed within their own chapters. Conclusions. Comparisons to peer regions are made where applicable. Each modal chapter includes an existing system description, a review of the system performance where data is available, and a discussion of