WSP was lead consultant to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to design, develop, deploy, operate, evaluate and report on a yearlong distance-based fee (DBF). The Minnesota Distance-Based Fee Demonstration successfully showed how to assess a per-mile DBF on shared mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) fleet vehicles. WSP led all aspects of the technical development including the concept of operations, systems architecture, technical and operational requirements, certification and test plans and activities, implementation plan and project performance metrics. WSP also led development of policy-related research including economic and revenue forecasting, legislation review, and a first-of-its-kind rate setting framework that provides guidance for how to establish per-mile rates based on geographic, vehicular and socioeconomic considerations. WSP provided communications support, including developing, launching and maintaining the demonstration website; creating multiple presentations and factsheets for technical advisory and steering committee meetings; and leading countless meetings with transportation professionals, legislators and key stakeholders.
During the demonstration, WSP provided frontline operational support to both MnDOT and the MaaS providers. Our team evaluated demonstration performance, worked to resolve real-time technical issues, provided information to MaaS customers, developed the financial reports, and engaged in a fully comprehensive financial audit with the Minnesota Department of Revenue that audited financial traceability between the MaaS provider fleet vehicles, transaction processing systems, and the Department of Revenue’s GenTax system.
WSP also explored ways that the MnDOT Managed Lane Network (MnPASS) Tolling Backoffice System could support future DBF initiatives. WSP led conversations with MnPASS personnel, evaluated systems and provided recommendations on about ways that DBF could be integrated with MnPASS as well as ways that DBF technologies could support lane differentiation necessary for managed lane tolling.
WSP also explored ways that the MnDOT Managed Lane Network (MnPASS) Tolling Backoffice System could support future DBF initiatives. WSP led conversations with MnPASS personnel, evaluated systems and provided recommendations on about ways that DBF could be integrated with MnPASS as well as ways that DBF technologies could support lane differentiation necessary for managed lane tolling.
