Share your priorities for Minnesota's future
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Imagine yourself at your current age 50 years in the future. What would your life be like in the following world?
- All forms of energy are in short supply.
- Agriculture and manufacturing struggle to survive, but some new or modified industries thrive.
- Urban areas and regional centers grow, but rural communities decline.
- Educational system changes to train Minnesotans for new career opportunities.
- Minnesotans are adapting to this new energy-saving world
Read the full Uffda! scenario here, or download it in a pdf.
(Note: This scenario was designed for the sole purpose of stimulating discussion about the future of Minnesota and transportation options and principles. It does not reflect an official forecast or prediction about the future.)
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1.
Where do you choose to live in this world of energy crisis and urbanization?
- Urban area
- Regional center
- Small town
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2.
In this world of energy crisis, how do you get to work or school?
- Personal vehicle (car, scooter, etc.)
- Traditional mass transit (train, bus, etc.)
- Self-powered travel (walk, bike, etc.)
- Telecommute
- Other: please remark below
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3.
Other: please remark here
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- I would probably telecommute occasionally, and might take transit or other new travel options if they were particularly convenient.
- It would depend on the length of my travel and what season it is. I would probably use self-powered travel as long as my body is able and the weather cooperates. In the winter months and when I am older and not able to bike or walk I will use traditional mass transit if it is available. However, I am likely to use the most convenient and practical form of transportation available no matter what it is.
- Combination of traditional mass transit, self-powered travel, and telecommute.
- The prospect of daily blackouts would hurt the ability to effectively telecommute and otherwise take advantage of Internet connections to the world.
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4.
What sort of transportation options would you want in this world of energy crisis and urbanization?
Recent answers given: (view all in new window)- I would primarily just want options - convenient walking, biking, transit access to destinations, and other modes as they develop.
- I would like multiple transportation options that work in conjunction with one another. This means I would like to see opportunities and space for people to walk and bike along with ways in which efficient inter-city mass transportation could be provided. I would also like to see ways that individuals could get to rural areas without having to travel in personal vehicles.
- Trains, streetcars, and trams! More off-street bike trails that are safe from car traffic.
- The best solution would be to reduce transportation in the urban environment through telecommuting and by re-zoning laws to allow small business (e.g. independent grocers) set up within residential buildings.
Other transportation laws would highly favor and encourage self-powered-travel, such as skyways or more bycicle avenues.
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5.
How does the stuff you buy (food, dental floss, furniture, etc.) get to you in this world of energy crisis and urbanization?
- Stuff continues to be produced in factories around the world and shipped to stores, where I go buy it.
- Stuff is produced locally or regionally, shipped, and I buy it at local stores.
- Stuff is produced in factories, I buy it online, and it comes to my door.
- Factories-on-wheels visit my community, produce products locally, then drive to the next city.
- Nearly everything is produced and distributed locally. We live with a lot less stuff.
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6.
What transportation principles are most important to be successful in this world of energy crisis and urbanization? (choose up to 3)
- Align system with other public purposes
- Build to a maintainable scale
- Emphasize reliability / predictability
- Ensure accessibility
- Ensure regional connections
- Expand choice
- Maximize safety
- Support existing communities
- Use partnerships
- Other: please remark below
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7.
Other: please remark here
Recent answers given:- Create/encourage regional connections to distribution warehouses that flow products from manufacturing areas to residential areas.
8.What’s the least important thing in this world of energy crisis and urbanization? (choose 1)
- Build to a maintainable scale
- Ensure accessibility
- Ensure regional connections
- Expand choice
- Support existing communities
- Use partnerships
9.Other: please remark here
Recent answers given:- I am assuming you mean the least important thing in terms of transportation and not anything in the world...if so it would be, what the form of transportation looks like as long as it is functional
- An energy crisis will require thoughtful choices by consumers, regulation, and education campaigns aimed at conservation. No one silver bullet - just a lot of component solutions.
Now, imagine yourself in a completely different world!