STATEWIDE FREIGHT FORECASTING METHODS FOR VIRGINIA

The Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC) developed in 1998 a Statewide Intermodal Freight Transportation Planning Methodology using the following 6 steps: inventory of the system; identify the problem; establish performance measures; collect data for specific problems; develop and evaluate improvement alternatives; and select and implement improvements. This methodology can be used to identify and evaluate infrastructure improvements that enhance the safe flow of freight into, out of, and through the Commonwealth. The ability to forecast future flows of freight on Virginia's transportation network is of prime importance to the Commonwealth's transportation planners, and is a critical step in the completion of the statewide intermodal freight transportation planning methodology. The predictions of future freight flows will aid in the identification of potential problems along the Commonwealth's transportation network and also in the development of improvement alternatives that may alleviate those problems.