Peterson Part of Building SURTC
When Del Peterson was growing up in rural Minnesota, he learned how important transportation is to a community and to community building. In a North Dakota State University graduate class he heard John Bitzan, advanced research fellow with the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, talk about transportation projects. Peterson's interest was piqued.
Today Peterson is an associate research fellow with the Small Urban & Rural Transit Center with UGPTI. New to the fast-developing SURTC program, Peterson is learning to implement the Geographic Information System into practical situations.
Involved in the James River Transit Project, he is figuring out the where, when and how of changing from an on-call response system providing senior and handicapped transportation to a regular bus system. He will also be involved in the North Dakota Statewide Mobility Plan and the Transportation Services of North Dakota Coordination Study.
Among his research interests is a dilemma facing many rural states. With the outmigration of young people, the family support system that might have provided transportation to older or handicapped family members is gone. The need for public transportation systems to pick up where families can no longer provide services for medical, social and other needs is evident.
His background in transportation economics and policy provides some of his incentive to see projects move from idea to implementation, to see projects move toward mobility for people and products.
While his current niche with SURTC rests with GIS probabilities, Peterson looks forward to the many projects in the pipeline. SURTC's vital work for rural areas and small to medium size cities is right up his alley.
He earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics and management from the University of Minnesota-Morris and his master of science degree in agricultural and applied economics from North Dakota State University.
TEL8 Board Meeting in Fargo
The TEL8 Board of Directors recently held its annual meeting in Fargo. Representatives from TEL8 locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah met to consider and shape TEL8's future.
Major issues before the board include the consideration of a major technological reconfiguration of the system, a TEL8/NHI videoconference initiative and the future of the TEL8/ WASHTO-X relationship.
2003 North Dakota Motor Carrier Directory Available
The 2003 North Dakota Motor Carrier Directory is now available for $10; or download off the publications page of the UGPTI website at www.ugpti.org
