RES2016-29: Multi-Modal Freight Transportation System Capacity and Diversion Assessment for Middle Tennessee

The objective of this study was to perform a data-driven, comprehensive analysis of multi-modal freight system capacity to understand the capacity of the system overall and be able to simulate and analyze impacts of disruptions to the system. To accomplish this, a multi-modal network of highway and rail networks in the middle Tennessee region was created in ArcGIS and then ran through a range of disruptive scenarios for analysis. Ultimately, simulation results were intuitive with real-life expectations. Without any disruption, network metrics aligned with empirical FAF and Waybill data. During disruptions, rail freight will often prefer switching to the road network, but vice-versa does not hold. For a set of disruption scenarios, disruption was most severe when a minimally redundant section of highway was impacted. Lesser impacts occurred during rail disruptions and in areas where multiple alternate routes existed. Overall, this project provides proof of concept for an approach to simulate and predict regional impacts to freight flow within Middle Tennessee’s multimodal network in the event of disruptions using a unique, multi-faceted approach that combines ArcGIS Network Analyst simulations coupled with machine learning techniques. This approach provides a method for identifying critical areas for planned response and an understanding of the impacts of disruption on a combined intermodal (highway and rail) network in a very active freight region.

• Record URL:
  https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/long-range-planning/research/final-reports/RES2016-29-FreightCapacity-Diversion%20FinalReport_approved.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $125000
• Contract Numbers:

  RES2016-29

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Managing Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Performing Organizations:

  Vanderbilt University

  Box 96-B
  Nashville, TN  United States  37235
• Principal Investigators:

  Camp, Janey V

• Start Date: 20160801
• Expected Completion Date: 20180531
• Actual Completion Date: 20180531
• USDOT Program: Transportation, Planning, Research, and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Forecasting; Freight transportation; Highways; Machine learning; Multimodal transportation; Railroad transportation; Service disruption; Simulation
• Identifier Terms: ArcGIS
• Geographic Terms: Tennessee
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01764382
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RES2016-29
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 4 2021 2:51PM