INTERMODAL AND INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT NETWORK MODELING

In this paper, the development and application of a single, integrated digital representation of a multimodal and transcontinental freight transportation network is described. The network was constructed to support the simulation of 5 million origin-to-destination freight shipments reported as part of the 1997 U.S. Commodity Flow Survey. The focus is on the routing of the tens of thousands of intermodal freight movements reported in this survey. Routings involve different combinations of truck, rail, and water transportation. Geographic information systems (GIS) technology was invaluable in the cost-effective construction and maintenance of this network and the subsequent validation of mode sequences and route selections. However, computationally efficient routing of intermodal freight shipments was found to be most efficiently accomplished outside the GIS. Selection of appropriate intermodal routes required procedures for linking freight origins and destinations to the transport network, procedures for modeling intermodal terminal transfers and intercarrier interlining practices, and a procedure for generating multimodal impedance functions to reflect the relative costs of alternative, survey-reported mode sequences.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Elsevier

    The Boulevard, Langford Lane
    Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
  • Authors:
    • Southworth, F
    • Peterson, B E
  • Publication Date: 2000-2

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00800323
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Oct 4 2000 12:00AM