2009 Minnesota Code
Chapters 160 - 174A Transportation
Chapter 174 Department of Transportation
Section 174.01 Creation; Policy

174.01 CREATION; POLICY.

Subdivision 1.Department created.

In order to provide a balanced transportation system, including aeronautics, highways, motor carriers, ports, public transit, railroads, and pipelines, a Department of Transportation is created. The department is the principal agency of the state for development, implementation, administration, consolidation, and coordination of state transportation policies, plans, and programs.

Subd. 2. Transportation goals.

The goals of the state transportation system are as follows:

(1) to provide safe transportation for users throughout the state;

(2) to provide multimodal and intermodal transportation that enhances mobility and economic development and provides access to all persons and businesses in Minnesota while ensuring that there is no undue burden placed on any community;

(3) to provide a reasonable travel time for commuters;

(4) to provide for the economical, efficient, and safe movement of goods to and from markets by rail, highway, and waterway;

(5) to encourage tourism by providing appropriate transportation to Minnesota facilities designed to attract tourists;

(6) to provide transit services throughout the state to meet the needs of transit users;

(7) to promote productivity through system management and the utilization of technological advancements;

(8) to maximize the long-term benefits received for each state transportation investment;

(9) to provide funding for transportation that, at a minimum, preserves the transportation infrastructure;

(10) to ensure that the planning and implementation of all modes of transportation are consistent with the environmental and energy goals of the state;

(11) to promote and increase the use of high-occupancy vehicles and low-emission vehicles;

(12) to provide an air transportation system sufficient to encourage economic growth and allow all regions of the state the ability to participate in the global economy;

(13) to increase transit use statewide by giving highest priority to the transportation modes with the greatest people-moving capacity and lowest long-term economic and environmental cost;

(14) to promote and increase bicycling as an energy-efficient, nonpolluting, and healthful form of transportation;

(15) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state's transportation sector; and

(16) to accomplish these goals with minimal impact on the environment.

History:

1976 c 166 s 1; 1991 c 298 art 1 s 1; 2008 c 287 art 1 s 66