4.3. SR 03-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Agenda Item #4 MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM: RE: February 16, 2001 NCDA Executive Committee Minimal Operable Segment (MOS) Analysis The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires analysis and determination of the cost effectiveness of all federally funded transit projects. The cost effectiveness indices are useful to the FTA in its process of ranking the large number of funding requests it receives from cities across the country. The analysis also provides local decision-makers with data essential to their own process of determining viable and appropriate termini for the project. In addition to developing cost effectiveness indicators for the Northstar Corridor project between downtown Minneapolis and Rice, the FTA requires similar information for what is termed the Minimal Operable Segment (MOS). The Northstar MOS analysis, therefore, evaluates shorter segments of the total project while still maintaining a viable commuter rail project. The FTA intent is to ensure that local decision-makers have evaluated all reasonable alternatives to the full-length project proposal. The Northstar Corridor MOS analysis includes the base case of Minneapolis to Rice as well as potential northerly termination points at E. St. Cloud, Big Lake and Elk River. The various incremental ridership, operations cost, and capital costs are used to determine the cost effectiveness indicators for the various segments. In addition, the data also includes analvsis based upon the September, 1998 NCDA Policy for Extension to the Northstar Corridor. [finally. a chart comparing the cost effectiveness indicators for the Northstar project with other projects' from across the country is included. .. It should be noted that while the FTA requires the MOS analysis, the decision on which location to end the current project is a local. Local decision is deemed to mean not federal. Action Required: Discussion. Northstar Corridor Development Authori~.