Quick Response Freight Methods Third Edition

Freight has a significant impact on the economy, on both the National and regional level. The transport of freight accounts for almost nine percent of the Gross Domestic Product in the U.S., which makes efficient freight and commercial truck travel essential to the country’s economic well-being. The freight system moves 55 million tons of goods worth more than $49 billion each day, and this amount will increase. The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) forecasts that between 2015 and 2045, the ton-miles of freight will grow by 60 percent overall and 75 percent on the highway system, while the population is only expected to grow by 22 percent according to U.S. Census forecasts. Understanding and forecasting freight flow is a critical component for planning future transportation capacity, operation, preservation, safety, security, and energy and economic investment needs. Transportation investments are capital intensive and represent long-term financial commitments, making it critical that transportation planners possess both the tools and the skills to forecast freight demand and analyze scenarios and investment alternatives as part of the overall transportation analysis. This third update of Quick Response Freight Methods (QRFM) will prepare transportation planners to meet these needs.\n