Concept for a Freight Model Improvement Program FMIP

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Concept for a Freight Model Improvement Program
(FMIP)
Prepared for Summer TRB meetings by Gary
Maring Cambridge Systematics, Inc. July 17, 2003
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Why an FMIP?

• Freight stakeholders have consistently advocated
  improved freight data and tools to improve
  planning process for freight
• Current freight tools largely derived from
  passenger tools
• Many postulate that freight projects often dont
  receive sufficient priority because of poor data
  and tools
• Recent NCHRP freight studies have documented
  multiple needs for freight tools, e.g.,
• Forecasting
• Corridor and project analysis
• Economic analysis
• Only a nationally focused effort will result in a
  relatively standard set of tools for use by all
  freight stakeholders

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Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) as
Precedent

• Components of TMIP
• Assess data and model needs
• Short-term model improvements
• New models
• Deployment
• Lessons learned from TMIP
• TMIP originally had a freight component but other
  priorities precluded funding of freight elements
• Many believe there was an over emphasis on new
  models
• More focus on short-term model improvements would
  potentially have resulted in greater near term
  progress

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FMIP Framework

• Four suggested modules
• Define requirements for freight tools and data
  inputs
• Short-term model improvements
• Development of a new generation of models
• Implementation

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Module 1- Define Requirements for Freight Tools
and Data Inputs

• Define nature of freight tool/data needs at
  State/local level
• Inventory existing ad hoc models used for freight
  and evaluate effectiveness
• Assess applicability of logistics models used by
  freight businesses
• Identify and implement short-term data
  enhancements to fill gaps in available national
  data sources (start with FAF)
• Develop guidelines for local freight data
  collection to supplement and complement national
  sources
• Link FMIP development to new freight data
  architecture recommended to BTS by TRB Blue
  Ribbon committee

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Module 2- Enhancements to Existing Models

• Develop short-term freight travel forecasting
  tool kit for State/MPO freight planning (NCHRP
  8-43)
• Incorporate freight modal diversion modeling
  approaches
• Improve existing project benefit/cost tools for
  freight applications
• Improve HERS/state version or to better address
  freight investment requirements
• Develop short-term tools for freight ITS
  planning, e.g. IDAS

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Module 3- New Generation of Freight Models

• Develop architecture for new generation of
  freight models to include at least the following
  components
• Multimodal freight travel forecast models
• Freight project benefit-cost tools
• Freight investment analysis tool, e.g.
  network-based HERS
• Investment tools linked to regional economic
  modeling to assess sectoral economic effects of
  freight investments
• Multimodal simulation tools for borders,
  gateways, and intermodal terminals to assess
  infrastructure and ITS

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Module 4- Implementation

• Conduct pilot tests of new model framework
• Develop public-private institutional delivery
  mechanism(s) for deployment and on-going support
  of new generation models
• Develop training and technical assistance program
  for freight tool applications
• Integrate freight tools into programming and
  priority-setting process to better address
  freight priorities

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Institutional and Funding Approach

• House the program in DOT/FHWA as with TMIP
• Fund through reauthorized USDOT Surface
  Transportation Research Program, FSHRP, and NCHRP
  program
• Seek AASHTO support for committing NCHRP funds to
  this effort
• Set up multidisciplinary FMIP technical advisory
  group through TRB
• Develop appropriate public-private partnership
  for deployment

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Draft Timetable for FMIP
Year
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Task
1. Define tool and data needs 2. Short term
model improvements 3. Develop new generation of
models 4. Implementation Progress Meetings
with FMIP Advisory Committee
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Estimated Resource Requirements over TEA-21
Reauthorization Period 25 million

• Mod 1
• Mod 2
• Mod 3
• Mod 4

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• For comments or questions, contact Gary Maring
  at
• gmaring_at_camsys.com
• tel [phone]
• fax [phone]