Michael BronziniSidney O. Dewberry Chair Prof. & Dept. Chair

Dept. of Civil, Environmental & Infrastructure EngineeringVolgenau School of Information Technology & Engineering

George Mason University

Freight Demand Modeling ConferenceTransportation Research Board

Washington, DCSeptember 26, 2006

New Data Sources

The Good News

There is plenty of good freight data out

there.

The Bad News

You can’t have it!

The Rest of the StoryExisting Sources- Potential Modifications

Potential New SourcesIdeas for the Future

“Good data is the data you already have.”

- Edgar Horwood

Traditional Freight Flow Data

• Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) • Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) • Transborder Surface Freight Data• Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) • Carload Rail Waybill Sample • Waterborne Commerce• Air Traffic Statistics • Oil Pipeline Flows

Freight Network Data• National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) • Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) • Highway Performance Monitoring System

(HPMS) • National Highway Planning Network (NHPN) • Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings • U.S. Ports and Waterway Facilities Database • Lock Performance Monitoring System

Freight Vehicle Data

• Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)

• Highway Statistics• Railroad Facts • Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety

Data • Waterborne Transportation Lines

Transportation Information Needs Assessments

Rolf R. Schmitt

January 24, 20060

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Top Ten Commodities by Weight Crossing thI-40 Bridge at Webbers Falls

FARM PRODUCTS FOOD OR KINDRED PRODUCTSCOAL NONMETALLIC MINERALSFOREST PRODUCTS TEXTILE MILL PRODUCTSMETALLIC ORES FRESH FISH OR MARINE PRODUCTSLUMBER OR WOOD PRODUCTS CHEMICALS OR ALLIED PRODUCTS

Rolf R. SchmittTransportation Research Board Annual Meeting

The promise of technology

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as a data source and as a subject for data

The need for new planning tools to use more precise and timely data provided by ITS on narrower slices of transportationHow to filter spurious observations without losing serendipity?What do we need to know to deploy ITS efficiently and effectively?

ITS Technology

TRAFFIC FLOW SENSORS

• Inductive loop detector• Video image processor• Microwave radar• Infrared laser radar• Passive infrared• Ultrasonic• Acoustic array

Loop Detector Vehicle Signatures

Source: USDOT Volpe Center

Preclearance Systems• NORPASS (North American Preclearance and

Safety System) • HELP (Heavy Vehicle Electronic License

Plate)• Advantage CVO • Multijurisdictional Automated Preclearance

System (MAPS) • Oregon Green Light program

Source: Oregon Department of Transportation

Heimann Cargo Vision System

REMOTE SENSING• Collection of data from airborne or satellite

platform• Application to determine service level, vehicle

miles traveled (VMT), average annual daily traffic (AADT), vehicle classifications and counts.

• Hyperspectral imaging to identify vehicles by color, make and model

Can we really see vehicles from space?

Yes!

Ikonos 1-m pan

UAV Collection Platforms

Some:- New- Old- Unused

Data Sources

The Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance The Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance James Madison University

How does it work?• 3 Basic Components

– Transceiver – Tag Reader– Transponder – RFID tag– Antenna

• Types of RFID Tags– Passive Tags

• No battery• Low cost

– Active Tags• On-board transceiver• Battery – must be replaced• Longer range• High cost

RFID – Radio Frequency Identification

The Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance The Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance James Madison University

RFID – Radio Frequency Identification

RFIDTag

IC or microprocessor

antenna

RFID TransceiverDatabase

1

23

1. Transceiver sends signal

2. Tag responds with information

3. Information is sent to database

RFID System

USPS Data

• USPS delivers 212 billion pieces of mail to over 144 million homes.

• USPS handles more than 44% of the world's card and letter mail volume, the highest in the world.

Source: http://www.usps.com/communications/organization/postalfacts.htm

USPS Data• USPS delivery confirmation service provides

date and time of delivery/attempted delivery upon inquiry or online status check through the tracking number provided.

• This costs 50 cents with no insurance coverage.

Source: www.usps.com

UPS

• UPS uses a consolidated referral parts distribution system with visibility throughout the supply chain for Daimler Chrysler®

• UPS Trade DirectSM enables expedited deliveries direct to customers

Source: http://www.ups-scs.com/solutions/case_studies/cs_radial.pdfhttp://www.ups-scs.com/solutions/case_studies/cs_daimler.pdf

http://www.specialolympicsnewmexico.org/FILES/PR-LOGO1-UPS%20logo%20jpg.jpg

Federal Express

• Major LTL carrier FedEx® Freight uses a variety of wireless networks and handheld computers to update the status of individual packages

Source: http://www.hoc-loc.com/pr04.htmlhttp://www.seattleu.edu/services/repro/RMS%20Pics/fedex.gif

DHL

• DHL® has integrated with air freight carriers and customs authorities for booking and status updates. Through this integration, errors are minimized and productivity and transit times of freight are improved.

Source: http://www.dhl.com/publish/g0/en/services/logistics/it.high.htmlhttp://www.pietzpluswild.de/images/dhl.gif

Ground Express

• Ground Express, Inc. is the largest ground package delivery company in Massachusetts, and provides hour-definite delivery.

• Vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking. Proof of Delivery is available on the Internet moments after the delivery.

• Uses Records Storage Management (RSM) for customers to keep track of their shipments.

Source: http://www.usground.com/newsletter.shtml

Union Pacific• Union Pacific, operating the largest railroad in

North America, deploys RFID rail car tagging for freight tracking.

• Integrated with Transcentric's software applications into the cargo visibility system to provide end-to-end cargo visibility.

Source: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_news/info_highway/freight_info.htmhttp://www.up.com/

J.B. Hunt• IBM, working with J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a

$1.7-billion transportation and logistics company , developed the Java-based Internet Carrier Suite to help improve communications, reduce freight routing turnaround time.

• Internet Carrier Suite includes four Java-based applications that track carrier availability, schedule truck loads, track shipment status and enter freight invoices over the Internet.

Source: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/ebusiness/jstart/casestudies/jbhunt.shtmlwww.jbhunt.com

Con-way

• Con-way Inc, a $4.2 billion freight company has been named among the Top 100 companies by InformationWeek magazine for its use of service-oriented and event-driven architecture, an advanced system-development and application design method for freight delivery.

Source: http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=54733https://www.con-way.com/default.asp?bhcp=1

Alvarez Truck Brokers• Alvarez Truck Brokers, a transportation broker

based in Ocala., FL dispatches more than 10,000 loads annually and specializes in produce and perishable refrigerated goods.

• An Internet-based trailer monitoring system called ‘Fresh-Trak’ reports both trailer locations and temperature.

• Saves time and phone costs of contacting drivers to see if they are behind schedule or there is a problem with the temperature.

Source: http://www.hoc-loc.com/pr04.html

DeKalb Transportation• DeKalb Transportation, a carrier based in Ider,

Alabama uses a system called ‘Hoc-loc’ to secure its loads of carpet, produce and other non-hazardous freight.

• Drivers punch in a code on a keypad to release an interior trailer door lock and to mobilize the trailer by releasing the brakes. This can also be linked to one of several satellite or cellular-based systems to control the system remotely.

Source: http://www.hoc-loc.com/pr04.html

SSA Marine• Active RFID Technology• The WhereNet system enables “virtual tagging” of

containers by continuously monitoring every piece of container handling equipment in the yard to keep track of when and where containers are moved.

• Sensors on container handling equipment, location information, optical character recognition data, and computer algorithms calculate the exact location and status of containers in a marine facility in real time.

Source: www.ssamarine.comhttp://www.wherenet.com/pr_04_05_2005.shtml

SSA Marine• WhereNet provides real-time location and status

information for tens of thousands of containers — often stacked five high and six “lanes” wide —across hundreds of acres in marine terminals.

• A small WhereNet system begins at approximately $500,000.

Source: www.ssamarine.comhttp://www.wherenet.com/pr_04_05_2005.shtml

Wal-Mart• Wal-Mart® plans to use RFID technology

network to maintain quality produce on its way to stores.

• Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are designed for shipment visibility at discrete points like pickup, transfer, truck loading and finally delivery. The system gives customers a good idea of shipment status through a secure website.

Source: http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=89971http://www.hoc-loc.com/pr04.html

http://adweek.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/walmart.jpeg

Wal-Mart

• On an average, Wal-Mart Super centers receive seven truckloads of freight per day.

• Approximately 7,000 boxes taken off trucks and prepared for stocking.

• Wal-Mart is focusing on "precise execution" to make certain products, like movie and music releases/holiday and promotional items, are on the floor at the correct time.

Source: http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=899713

Best Buy

• Best-Buy® collects all the transportation data across the organization in one central repository to consolidate loads and merge in-transit pick-ups.

Source: http://www.i2.com/assets/pdf/CSS_RET_best_buy_css7159.pdf#search=%22best%20buy%20freight%20%22

Circuit City

• Circuit City Stores is implementing JDA Portfolio category management software to support the retailer's merchandising systems transformation.

• This application helps Circuit City gain flexibility and functionality in managing its inventory and assortments of products sent to stores.

Source: http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20060801/news.cfmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_City

CVS

• CVS pharmacy achieves inbound visibility through Descartes Systems Group Inc.’s Global Visibility and Inventory Control software to track both product and data throughout the supply chain.

• They hope to have up to 90 percent of inbound volume hooked up.

Source: http://www.glscs.com/archives/9.02.SCEM.htm?adcode=10http://www.cvs.com

General Motors

• General Motors®, the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer uses UPS® supply chain solutions for streamlined, automated materials recovery process and centralized analysis.

Source: http://www.ups-scs.com/solutions/case_studies/cs_gm.pdfhttp://www.belch.com/img/gm-logo.jpg

Mercedes-Benz• Mercedes-Benz's Fleetboard fleet management

system uses ‘XML’ to create a virtual link between drivers on the road and the base.

• The XML format integrates FleetBoard into the transport process seamlessly. All the necessary data can be viewed immediately. Forwarders can schedule orders, react to problems at very short notice.

Source: http://i.maksimum.com/otomobil/images/haber/mercedes-logo.jpghttp://www.softwareag.com/xml/applications/mercedes.htm

Ford• Ford Motor Company is taking advantage of

transportation improvements by reorganizing its logistics to use “national mixing centers” -distribution centers receiving all types of vehicles from assembly plants and then reshipping them to dealers.

Source: http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/04nov/09.htmhttp://www.dbforwarding.co.uk/images/section/ford.jpg

Ford• FORD® Oakville Assembly Complex (OAC) is

installing one of the region's largest wireless communications zones to electronically manage the flow of parts production.

• This helps to monitor truck status and improve just-in-time shipments, reducing freight and inventory carrying costs.

Source: http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=23085http://www.dbforwarding.co.uk/images/section/ford.jpg

Toyota

• TOYOTA® uses ‘Brio’ to track and analyze the movement of more than 1 million vehicles annually and to support reporting and analysis.

• Using Brio, the company has reduced car carrying costs, increased productivity, and reduced operational costs.

Source: http://www.knowledgestorm.com/sol_summary_62489.asp

Freight Information Highway

Transportation Research BoardRandy Butler

FHWA – Office of Freight ManagementJanuary 12, 2005

Freight Information HighwayWhat is the concept?

• The FIH will be an information pipeline of data communications among supply chain participants having access based upon secure authentication.

• The FIH will provide the ability for all trading partners in the supply chain to communicate interactively:– Acquiring shipment visibility information upon request– Communicating directly with government entities– Allowing complete collaboration without the need to develop any

custom integrated system solution between trading partners.• The FIH will not be a DATA REPOSITORY but will act

as a conduit to exchange vital information that will improve productivity in the supply chain.

Typical Supply Chain Data ScenarioDisparate Legacy Systems

Each System Requiring Direct Connections to Support Data Collaboration between Supply Chain Partners

Improved In-transit Supply Chain Visibility Through Data AnalysisDomestic Intermodal Information System (DIIS)

Presentation to the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting

January 12, 2005

Paul Pitzer

January 12, 2005Paul Pitzer

Domestic Surface Transportation Supply Chains from/to Point of Entry

Hale MarineTerminal

Jacksonville,FL

Memphis, TNSt. Louis, MO

Atlanta, GA

CSXIIntermodalTerminal

Charleston

Greenville,SC

Detroit

Charleston, SC

January 12, 2005Paul Pitzer

InvolvedParties

Events

Payments

Contents

Routing

Equipment

Shipment

•Invoices•Bank transactions

•Cargo Status•RFID•GPS/GLS/VTIS

•Booking/Conf.•Manifest•Load/Discharge

Multiple data elements define each shipment

•Ownership•Rail•Trucking•Air

• Packing List• ASN• Bill of lading• Material Safety Data Sheet

•Equipment release•Load/Discharge

•Purchaser / broker•Bill of lading•Proof of delivery•Cargo handlers

Defined with this broad set of data, each shipment has a snowflake like uniqueness, even those that are part of high volume supply chains.

Conveyance

January 12, 2005Paul Pitzer

CONTAINER DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN

Domestic

Destination

Port ofCharleston

CSXI Intermodal Terminal

Charleston

CSXI Intermodal Terminal Detroit

Roadway Corp

Terminal Charleston

Hale Marine Terminal

Philadelphia

Roadway Corp Terminal Nashville

TN

Evans DeliveryCompany

Mechanicsburg

RAIL

TRUCK

BARGE

RAIL

TRUCK

RAILDIVERSION

TRUCKDIVERSION

Domestic

Destination

Domestic

DestinationRAIL

TRUCK DIVERSION

TRUCK

TRUCK

TRUCKCSXI

TerminalNashville

•Carrier Booking Requests•Cargo Release Forms•Cargo Insurance Info•Ocean Bill of Lading•Onboard Certificate•Container Load Movement•Terminal Gate Data

•Delivery Order•Rail EDI Location Data•Barge EDI Location Data•Highway EDI Location Data•Packing Lists•Receiving Forms•Purchase Orders

Domestic Supply Chain Data Available Today for For Government Automated Analysis

•Carrier Manifests•Carrier Booking Requests•Insurance Documentation•Dock Receipts•Invoices for each change of ownership•Bills of Lading for each leg of shipping

January 12, 2005Paul Pitzer

An Envisioned Future State

As a unique domain awareness asset for TSA, the Domestic Intermodal Information System (DIIS) is

envisioned to employ all relevant surface transportation information to spotlight suspicious activity in near-real

time anywhere between points of origin and final destinations.

France

• The main sources of freight data are periodical, occasional and one-off surveys.

• Land use, vehicle and census data are used for statistics and calibration of models.

Source: http://www.bestufs.net/download/1stroundtable/BESTUFS_Roundtable_Lyon_Sept_2005_Final_notes.pdf#search=%22FREIGHT%20DATA%20SOURCES%20IN%20UK%22

UK• Data sources suffer from lack of integration

across jurisdictions– the data are available only at national or regional or

city level.

• Driver surveys, parking and loading surveys, surveys of deliveries to shops, one-off freight surveys for urban freight data are collected.

Source: http://www.bestufs.net/download/1stroundtable/BESTUFS_Roundtable_Lyon_Sept_2005_Final_notes.pdf#search=%22FREIGHT%20DATA%20SOURCES%20IN%20UK%22

Accessing the New Data• Data held by big private companies may be very

useful, but it is kept commercially confidential.• Public access to non-confidential transportation

data and statistics should be increased.• Boosting interagency communication and co-

ordination minimizes the total data collection costs.

• Some gaps in freight flow data can be effectively minimized using latest techniques like simulation and statistical modeling.

Source: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/millennium/00043.pdf

Accessing the New Data• Federal legislation to provide better availability

of privately held data is unlikely (to put it mildly).• The challenge is to gather the electronic freight

information in a way that does of not conflict with the confidentiality of the firms.

• One possibility is to foster public-private partnerships for data sharing.– How can we make this a win-win situation?– A demonstration agreement with one or more large

firms may be a way to get started.

Source: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/millennium/00043.pdf

Rolf R. SchmittTransportation Research Board Annual Meeting

Key questions for new and old information needs

Would decisions be different with no data or the wrong data?How much geographic and other detail, quality, and timeliness is required for the data to make a positive difference in public and private decisions?

Rolf R. SchmittTransportation Research Board Annual Meeting

Key questions for new and old information needs

Is the difference in decisions worth the cost of data collection in dollars, respondent burden, and political fall-out? Can we even collect and understand the data given current technology, respondent abilities, analyst abilities, and societal constraints?Who will benefit from the decisions and who should pay for the data?