MPC
Project Details

Title:	Transportation and Logistics Characteristics of the Potato Industry: Implications for Highway Planning
Principal Investigators:	Denver Tolliver
University:	North Dakota State University
Status:	Completed
Year:	1999
Project #:	MPC-191

Abstract

Value-added processing is an important economic development goal in agricultural states and regions. The location of potato processing plants near sources of production is a recent trend that has generated substantial economic benefits. However, the location of potato plants is impacting highway demand and truck use in parts of the Mountain-Plains region. Shifts in production from grains to potatoes and sugar beets can significantly increase the tons produced per acre and thus increase heavy truck traffic in rural areas. Little information exists regarding the logistical and spatial characteristics of the potato industry and its transportation needs. NDDOT has requested an analysis of the transportation characteristics and highway implications of this industry, including: 1) trends in production and location of facilities; 2) impacts of processing plants on agricultural land use; 3) truck use characteristics; and 4) implications for highway maintenance and planning.

Project Deliverables

• [Final Report] North Dakota Potato Industry — MPC-01-123