A Statewide Freight Flow Model for Alabama

Transportation infrastructure is an integral piece of the economic growth puzzle. The proper alignment of needed infrastructure with economic opportunity enhances the return on investment from that infrastructure investment. Decision tools to assist in this alignment activity are not readily available. The development of a transportation model that accurately shows the current state of Alabama’s infrastructure and allows for predictive analysis of the impact that relocating or developing industries have on economic regions was developed during this research. A survey was conducted to determine freight volume and movement for a select group of industries. Data from published government sources were also used. Regression analysis was performed to study the relationships between industry size and type and the volume of freight that moves using different modes of transportation. The model was developed using TRANPLAN and can be used to determine the expected effect of a new business on the local transportation infrastructure. This information can be used by agencies to either identify target industries that can promote economic growth while have little negative effect on congestion or examine infrastructure needs based on projected industry growth.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Anderson, Michael David
  • Youngblood, Alisha D
  • Harris, Gregory A
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2007-1-21 to 2007-1-25
• Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: TRB 86th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Businesses; Commodity flow; Development; Economic growth; Economic impacts; Freight traffic; Freight transportation; Industrial location; Industries; Infrastructure; Regression analysis; Relocation (Facilities); Return on investment; Transportation modes
• Identifier Terms: TRANPLAN (Computer program)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Freight volume
• Geographic Terms: Alabama
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Aviation; Data and Information Technology; Economics; Freight Transportation; Highways; Marine Transportation; Railroads; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01054014
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 07-1042
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 8 2007 5:39PM