FlexPass

FlexPass Commuting Study

The University of Minnesota is seeking participants for a research study to test more flexible commuting options. By participating, you’ll get parking privileges and unlimited transit with FlexPass, a new monthly contract option for people who park in ABC Ramps. With FlexPass, you may be able to park less often and save money.

Contribute to Research

Help researchers figure out how to improve commutes, while potentially reducing congestion and pollution in the Twin Cities. FlexPass may be a part of the solution, but we need your help to find out.

Save Money

FlexPass costs less than a standard monthly parking contract, plus you’ll get a $40 Visa gift card for participating in the study.

Park when you need it

Get guaranteed parking in ABC Ramps for either 10 or 14 days per month, depending on which FlexPass option you choose.

Get Unlimited Transit

Take the bus or light rail as often as you want, weekdays and weekends, and get discounted fares on Northstar.

Less Time in Traffic

The average Twin Cities driver commuting during peak travel periods spent 52 hours in traffic in 2019 according to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.

Who can participate

The research study is open to anyone who either has a current monthly contract with ABC Ramps in downtown Minneapolis or who cancelled their parking contract with ABC Ramps since March 2020. In the future we may expand enrollment to other users.

If you are interested in the FlexPass but are not eligible for the research study. You can use the Enrollment Survey to provide contact information so that you’ll be notified when FlexPass becomes more widely available. This process should take about two minutes.

Pricing

Both options include:

• Unlimited-ride transit pass from Metro Transit.
• In-and-out privileges on days you park.

How it works

You’ll be asked to:

• Complete the 10-minute Enrollment Survey to enroll in the study and verify your eligibility. If you are not eligible for the research study, you can provide your contact information to be notified when FlexPass becomes more widely available. The Enrollment Survey collects travel and demographic information for eligible participants.
• Sign the research study Consent Form. The FlexPass Enrollment Confirmation email will contain a link to electronically sign the Consent Form. You may review a static pdf of the form here. The Consent Form details the study procedures and the data that will collected during the study, including travel behavior, parking use, and transit use. If you have questions about the Consent Form, please contact flexpass@umn.edu. You must sign the form before you can pick up your FlexPass card.
• Pick up your FlexPass card. After you sign the Consent Form, you may pick up your card beginning on the 21^st day of the month that you enroll. The card can be picked up at the ABC Ramps office located at Ramp A during their business hours (view here). There, you’ll confirm your contract, get your card, and make your first month’s payment. The FlexPass card will activate at the start of the following month. If you have an existing contract with ABC Ramps, that contract will deactivate at the end of the month.
• Download the Daynamica app on your smartphone. After you pick up your card, you will receive a username and password to log in to the mobile app. Daynamica will use location sensing technology (e.g., GPS) on your phone to record trip and activity data throughout the day. The app is available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). You will receive more information about using Daynamica during the study.
• Use FlexPass. Use your FlexPass card for both parking and taking the bus or light rail. The card includes an unlimited monthly pass with Metro Transit and discounted rates on Northstar.
• Collect 14 days’ worth of data with Daynamica. While your FlexPass card is active, use the app on a daily basis to confirm your trip and activity details and edit details as needed. This process is fast and easy, and your privacy will be protected.
• Complete short in-app surveys. Each activity and trip event will have a few questions associated with it. Confirming details and completing surveys will take about 10–20 minutes per day. Information for how to complete surveys can be found in the Daynamica user guide for FlexPass.
• Respond to a short exit survey at the end of the study period. When you exit the research study or when the study ends, you will be sent an exit survey that takes around 10 minutes to complete

The study is anticipated to end May 1, 2021. All research data collection will end at that time. Participants are currently allowed to use their FlexPass contract through April 2021. The FlexPass contracts may be extended; if FlexPass is not extended, participants will have the opportunity to purchase other contracts at ABC Ramps including the standard Monthly contract.

More questions?

See our FAQ page.

About the study

A team of researchers created the FlexPass Commuting Study to better understand how to reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel to downtown Minneapolis.

The research study is a collaboration among the University of Minnesota, ABC Ramps, Metro Transit, Move Minneapolis, MPLS Parking, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.