Statewide Freight Flow Model to Assess Spring Loadrestrictions: an Analytical Approach

This book presents a unique application of statewidefreight planning; it is used to analyze the effectsof spring load restrictions on freight flows. Themodel estimates freight transportation cost savingsby removing spring load restrictions, which can berealized by improving the state highway system. Thedata for agricultural freight are estimated from thesatellite imagery of the crop layers of North Dakotausing spatial analysis and an algorithm developed forthis purpose. The freight flow record formanufactured goods is obtained from thesecond-generation FAF database. To capture theeffects of spring load restriction, which is dynamicand moves from the southern to northern part of thestate of North Dakota, the concept of the onion modelis applied. Benefit/cost analysis is done with thedollar value of reduced Vehicle Miles Traveled, Vehicle Hours Traveled and cost of highwayimprovements to evaluate the financial viability ofinfrastructure investments in the state of North Dakota.