UAH CMER » Report

Development of a Method to Forecast Freight Demand Arising from the Final Demand Sector and Examination of Federal Data to Analyze Transportation Demand for Local Area Through Trips

lauren — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:48:36 +0000

The research described in this report, Development Of A Method To Forecast Freight Demand Arising From The Final Demand Sector, describes a framework and a research approach to achieve insight into significant components of freight transportation in Alabama and the U.S. The initial objective was to develop the ability to projecting freight traffic arising from retail sales to households or to the final demand sector of the economy. Normally, this involves shipments from distribution centers and bonded warehouses to retailers located in the state’s population centers. The research demonstrates that this final leg of a shipment’s journey to the consumer is growing very fast and evolving rapidly.

Major retail centers were identified in all of Alabama’s cities with populations of over 25,000. A selection of the retailers in these communities was chosen for a detailed analysis of their distribution network. The researchers conducted interviews to gather data about how each network operates. The information collected from the survey included the geographical region served, the physical and operational characteristics of the network, volume of traffic, and anticipated future traffic volumes. The survey revealed that most distribution networks serving Alabama can either be characterized as hub and spoke or route-based. The survey also uncovered many unique characteristics of each network.

Finally, researchers determined how to allocate freight traffic arising from the final demand sector to Alabama counties. Several variables were tested including population, employment, payroll and personal income. Through regression analysis, it was found that total personal income of residents in a county appeared to work best with population the second best predictor.

Supply chain strategies were documented and mapped for various retail and commercial networks. This information became very valuable in the ensuing communication of the final mile discussions with ALDOT and other transportation stakeholders in the state.

Research Project 930-697 Final Demand Pass Through – Final Report
TRB Conference 2011 Poster Presentation

Alabama Statewide Freight Study and Action Plan

lauren — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:51:43 +0000

The Alabama Statewide Freight Study and Action Plan was a study initiated by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) recognizing the need for research in freight transportation. Research included identifying freight related constraints and how potential improvements to the State’s transportation system can facilitate freight mobility as well as the associated interrelationships between economic growth and transportation infrastructure. The study team was composed of the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) Office for Freight, Logistics and Transportation and the consulting firm of J. R. Wilburn and Associates, Inc. Current and future multimodal freight movements into and out of the state, as well as the condition, operations and safety of the multimodal system, were analyzed. All modes of freight movement—truck, rail, air and water— were examined as a part of this study. Although there is a diversity of freight on all of the state’s highway facilities, it is apparent that certain commodities use specific facilities more often. A review of specific commodities and routes taken was helpful in understanding deficiencies along a route. Similarly, using criteria to determine congestion, safety and truck concentrations on the Alabama Highway Network assisted in identifying deficient locations in the freight highway network. Understanding the total character of freight movements along a corridor—its prevalent commodities and potential safety and operational constraints—was helpful in refining possible recommendations and improvements for increasing system efficiency and safety.

The study findings were intended to provide information to a number of parties—decision makers at ALDOT, other agencies and the private sector—as they continue looking for ways to accommodate the ever increasing volume of freight on the state’s highways. ALDOT will take a lead role in ensuring the accumulated data on freight movement is maintained for use by the Department and others. In particular, ALDOT will be able to use the information regarding existing and future needs in developing its construction program.

Statewide Freight Study Final Report

Transportation Infrastructure in Alabama: Finding and Filling the Holes

lauren — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:07:04 +0000

This research built upon previous work on the development of tools to bridge the gaps in the analysis and understanding of the relationships between economic growth and transportation infrastructure in Alabama. The tasks performed under this contract included:

Development of the Integrated Freight Planning Framework including Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Modal Split and Assignment and Analysis of System Performance Measures,
Development of the Alabama Transportation Infrastructure Model version 2 with the addition of the rail and waterway networks,
An evaluation of alternative transportation modes for improving transportation and freight flow, and
The enhancement and expansion of the application of continuous improvement principles for port operations

The availability and accuracy of freight data is the key to making informed decisions on infrastructure investment and policy issues that affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the freight transportation system. Available and accurate freight data is critical to the evaluation of options to mitigate congestion, improve economic competitiveness, facilitate the effective use of land planning, optimization of modal activity, improve safety and security, reduce fuel consumption and enhance air quality. Although data by itself does not ensure good decision-making, it is impossible to make informed decisions without valid data.

Researchers at UAHuntsville developed and implemented the Integrated Freight Planning Framework (IFPF) which produces a direct freight forecast based upon industry sector economic activity. An industry sector based forecast offers an improvement to a forecast based upon a percentage of overall traffic flow used by transportation planners throughout the U.S. The IFPF establishes a direct relationship between the major industry sectors in a region and the freight traffic generated as a result of industrial sector activity. Value of Products Shipped, Household Income, Employment and Population are used as indicators of sector economic activity in the relationships for forecasted freight traffic. The ultimate goal of this research was to provide tools and information that can be used by state and MPO level transportation planners and decision makers. These tools should improve the results of analysis and reasonable decisions on program and infrastructure necessary to improve the overall function and performance of the transportation system for passenger, transit and freight users.

2009 DOT – Finding & Filling the Holes – Final Report

FAF2 Pilot Project – Utilization of FAF2 Data by State and Local Governmental Agencies

lauren — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:44:40 +0000

The project FAF2 Pilot Project – Utilization of FAF2 Data By State And Local Governmental Agencies, in support of the Federal Highway Administration FAF2 Pilot Project, was to develop methods and procedures to enable State and local governmental agencies to utilize the Freight Analysis Framework 2 (FAF2) commodity origin-destination data and the FAF2 freight network during the transportation planning process. During the course of this research a methodology for disaggregating national level data to the state and local levels was developed, tested and applied under several scenarios. The results of the development of this disaggregation method led to expanded use of the FAF2 database for research into freight related activities at ports, in metropolitan planning organizations, and “what if” scenarios from the addition of facilities to the interstate system to the forecasting of industry growth patterns and the affect on the congestion of a facility. The research was successful in accomplishing the goals originally established and has progressed farther into the areas of application, and now, refinement of the methods developed.

Utilizing a cluster analysis approach, researchers at UAHuntsville developed the concept of Freight Analysis Zones (FAZs) at the regional, state, sub-state and sub-MPO levels. Determination of an intermediate level of resolution for freight flows and the right subset of socio-economic variables are essential steps in freight prediction analysis. In this state-funded study (match funding from ALDOT), the research team was able to use cluster-based data mining technique to extract freight analysis zones from granular representations at different levels, either counties at the state wide levels or traffic analysis zones at the MPO level. Using the process of iterative data clustering, the team was able to disaggregate into FAZs at a level of resolution that provides meaningful detail for transportation planners to incorporate freight into the 5-Year Transportation Plan.

FAF2 – Utilization of FAF2 Data by State and Local Governmental Agencies

Establishing Performance Measures for Alabama’s Transportation System

lauren — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:10:35 +0000

The purpose the project Establishing Performance Measures For Alabama’s Transportation System was to research current transportation system metrics and develop a set a performance measures appropriate for establishing the level of performance for Alabama’s multimodal transportation system and the effectiveness and efficiency by which it is able to supply reasonable user access to jobs, goods, and services (both public and commercial). The multimodal transportation system was defined as the roadway network used by passenger cars, mass transit systems, and freight vehicles, the railway network used for passenger and freight movement, the navigable inland waterways, and general aviation. This project provided the Alabama Department of Transportation with a list of recommended performance measures at the strategic level metrics, overall system level metrics and operational level metrics. The strategic level metrics fell into four categories; (1) Safety, (2) Needs vs. Wants, (3) Economic Development, and (4) System Preservation. The system level metrics included three categories; (1) Percent of System Congested, (2) Travel Cost, and (3) Vehicle Occupancy. The operational level metrics included measures such as travel time, speed, traffic counts and VMT. The final step in the project illustrated the use of the metrics in the transportation system by employing the Alabama Transportation Infrastructure Model (ATIM) to simulate freight and transportation network activity. The use of ATIM as a performance measurement tool allows for improved decisions regarding the investment of scarce ALDOT resources.

Establishing Performance Measures for Alabama’s Transportation System FINAL

Modeling Truck Traffic Volume Growth Congestion

lauren — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Modeling of the statewide transportation system is an important element in understanding issues and programming of funds to thwart potential congestion. As Alabama grows its manufacturing economy, the number of heavy vehicles traversing its highways will continue to rise, straining its already limited infrastructure. This project looks to improve existing modeling tools and develop future forecasts of roadway demand as a means to glimpse the future highway demand and identify locations where the existing level of roadway infrastructure in Alabama would be unable to handle the future demand. This involves modeling future growth scenarios and analyzing the traffic congestion arising from the scenarios. The results from this project include the identification of key congestion chokepoint locations in the existing infrastructure when facing the future demand and the creation of a modeling tool that can be used effectively to examine alternative scenarios in the future.

UTCA – Modeling Truck Traffic Volume Growth Congestion

The Application of Lean Enterprise to Improve Seaport Operations

Karen — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:12:46 +0000

This paper discusses the implementation of Lean Enterprise management, principles, and tools in seaport operations. The paper begins by providing an overview of the necessary management training, strategy, and structure necessary for a successful lean implementation. An analysis of appropriate lean tools to be applied in seaport operations is provided, citing specific examples of the implementation of those tools at the Port of Mobile, Alabama. The paper also investigates the importance of integrating lean concepts in support functions such as accounting, maintenance, and human resources in order to holistically enhance overall port operations. The paper concludes with a discussion of keys to successful lean implementation, issues relative to sustaining improvement efforts, and suggestions for additional focuses of improvement for implementing lean in port operations.
The Application of Lean Enterprise to Improve Seaport Operations

Transportation Research Board – Paper-09-2777

Transportation Infrastructure in Alabama: Bridging the Data and Information Gap

lauren — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:01:10 +0000

The 2008 research into Transportation Infrastructure in Alabama had two main focal points; the creation of the Freight Planning Framework, with particular emphasis on the disaggregation and use of national level freight data at the state and local level, and the refinement and continued development of the Alabama Transportation Infrastructure Model (ATIM) for analysis and communication of transportation infrastructure issues. Additional findings of significant interest were insights into freight planning and modeling of operations at ports of entry. Specific tasks included:

Development of the Freight Planning Framework which has a foundation in the use of industry sectors to focus the understanding and analysis of the economic factors in an area to allow knowledgeable and informed decisions on transportation infrastructure issues. The concept behind this approach is that if the underlying principles of freight demand generation can be discovered for a particular industry, the ability to accurately predict infrastructure requirements due to the need to access the freight transportation system is enhanced. Once the freight generation principles of an industry is determined, it is theoretically possible to apply those principles anywhere the industry exists to estimate the demand for freight system requirements.
Expansion and Enhancement of the Alabama Transportation Infrastructure Model (ATIM). Among the significant strides made to the ATIM were the development of performance measures, time of day procedures, and an interface to link directly to a travel demand model to generate traffic volumes. This interface eased the ability of the model to run various growth scenarios to assess when congestion would occur on the local infrastructure. In addition to these enhancements, the research team has completed the initial stages of a new version of the ATIM that is an agent-based model constructed on a Java platform. The new Java version will overcome many of the deficiencies of the former model.
Modeling Intermodal Operations Using Discrete Event Simulations which included a conceptual framework for simulating seaport terminals such as the coal and container terminals at the Port of Mobile. This task also included modeling disruptions caused by container inspections at an intermodal terminal.
Continuous Improvement in Logistics and Transportation Systems. This task detailed continuous improvements at the Port of Mobile including Lean Enterprise Implementation, Value Stream Mapping and the development of Lean Implementation tools for Seaports.

2008 DOT – Bridging The Data & Info Gap – Final Report

Transportation Infrastructure in Alabama: Tools for Solutions

lauren — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:46:34 +0000

2007 DOT – Tools for Solutions – Final Report

Transportation Infrastructure in Alabama: Meeting the Needs for Economic Growth

lauren — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 15:35:25 +0000

2005 DOT – Meeting the Needs for Economic Growth – Final Report Research conducted under Transportation Infrastructure In Alabama: Meeting The Needs For Economic Growth was based on the interaction between economic activity, infrastructure, population, and congestion. The research presented an assessment of Alabama’s transportation infrastructure, population, economic activity, and likely future congestion. The infrastructure assessment included all interstates and US highways, all major inland waterways, class I railroads, airports, the Port of Mobile, and intermodal centers in Alabama. The analysis of Alabama population included growth trends by regions as well as by age distribution and an in depth look at trends in Alabama’s labor force. A survey of 250 manufacturing companies in the top industries in Alabama was conducted as part of the economic analysis to understand the shipping patterns and future needs of each industry. In addition to the manufacturing survey, surveys of Alabama’s automotive and aerospace industries were completed. Industry cluster analysis for Alabama was performed as well. Finally, a transportation demand model was developed for use in forecasting future statewide freight flows and locating possible congestion points.

2005 DOT – Meeting the Needs for Economic Growth – Final Report