Research
Statewide and Regional Transportation Planning

Being the central theme of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, rural and non-metropolitan transportation is strongly emphasized by researchers at the Institute. UGPTI researchers are continuously involved with several projects focusing on statewide transportation systems, including rail, highway, rural roads, and intermodal transportation.

Rail research is primarily centered on determining the feasibility of rail line rehabilitation projects. Institute investigators have performed several feasibility analyses in the past. Currently, research is in progress examining the benefits and costs of rehabilitating the Red River Valley & Western Railroad's Turtle Lake to Carrington (North Dakota) branch line. The Institute works closely with impacted railroads and the North Dakota Department of Transportation on rail analyses.

Highway research focuses on highway safety and impact analysis attributable to increased traffic due to modal shifts between rail and highway.

The UGPTI is also involved with the development of North Dakota's Intermodal Transportation System. This system will be capable of assisting transportation planners to identify and mitigate bottlenecks in the transportation network. The system can also be used to determine which enhancements would yield the greatest value to the state, and where enhancements should be implemented.

For more information about this program, please e-mail denver.tolliver@ndsu.edu.