Using Geospatial Info and Tools in Multi-Modal Analysis: The

2007 Commodity Flow Survey

Steve Lewis USDOT, Research & Innovative Technology

AdministrationBureau of Transportation Statistics

Geospatial Concepts for ExecutivesApril 11, 2007

www.bts.gov 2

Background: What is the CFS?

Freight survey of U.S. businesses (shippers) Performed by RITA/BTS in partnership with the

Census Bureau Previous surveys in 1993, 1997, and 2002 as

part of the U.S. Economic Census Provides data on actual shipments by mode of

transportation

www.bts.gov 3

Background: The Need

Part of major performance push to: Improve overall efficiency of estimating

distances in the RITA/BTS 2007 Commodity Flow Survey

Improve the methods used in generating the shipment mileages

Improve the quality of mileage information reported in the survey

www.bts.gov 4

Shippers generally do not know distance shipments travel

Survey asks for origin and destination ZIP codes

Mileages are calculated for each shipment by mode (highway, rail, water, air, parcel and pipeline)

Modal-mileages are critical for ton-miles

Why CFS Mileage Calculation?

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The Mileage Calculation Problem

Large proportion of shipments are multi-modal

Few national level, multi-modal GIS networks available

Few (if any) commercial routing routines with mode-change logic

In a multimodal trip, when/where does the mode change take place

www.bts.gov 6

The Solution: A Geospatial Approach

Develop a geospatial-based tool GeoMiler based on current GIS technology and robust network data

Develop core multi-modal routing models for domestic and export shipments for all modes

Integrate map visualization tool to help Analysts better estimate mileages for problematic records

www.bts.gov 7

GeoMiler: Logical System Flow

Pre-Processor(Geographic

info correction)

Pre-Processor(Geographic

info correction)

Post-ProcessorModification, flag, and QA

Post-ProcessorModification, flag, and QA

Mileage Solver(Multi-modal &

Export)

Mileage Solver(Multi-modal &

Export)

OUTPUT DATA

Census Bureau

OUTPUT DATA

Census Bureau

Map Interface(Path verification & presentation)

Map Interface(Path verification & presentation)

Data Processor

Route solver

Mapping Interface

INPUT DATACensus Bureau

INPUT DATACensus Bureau

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The Mileage Calculation Process

Required Data Input Valid Origin ZIP Code Valid Destination ZIP Code; if an export,

valid Country Name (valid City Name for Canada and Mexico)

Mode or Mode Sequence Commodity Type, particularly hazmat Commodity Weight

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Input from Survey Form

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Building GeoMiler: GIS Basis

Fully integrated GIS based tool

• Seamless functionality with fully mechanized geographic info correction

• Multimodal pathfinder and distance solver

ArcGIS 9.1 and Network AnalystRoute and OD solvers for estimations

ArcMap for visualization of routes

www.bts.gov 11

Building GeoMiler: GIS Networks

Roads – TeleAtlas DynaMap Transportation Rail – FRA Rail Network Water – USACE Navigable Waterway

Network Air – Based on BTS Office of Airline

Information and Official Airline Guide Pipelines – Great Circle Distance

www.bts.gov 12

Modeling Multimodal Transfer

Highway network

Highway network

Rail network

TRUE ORIGIN

TRUE DESTINATION

Truck-Rail transfer facility

Truck-Rail transfer facility

Modal spatial joins

Modal spatial joins

www.bts.gov 13

Spotsylvania, VA - Chicago:Multimodal Truck->Rail

www.bts.gov 14

Shenadoah, WV – Wendell, MA:Multimodal Rail->Water->Rail->Truck

www.bts.gov 15

Ashland, MA - Frederick, MD:Multimodal Truck-> Air (Dulles)->Truck

www.bts.gov 16

GeoMiler: Beyond the CFS??

Offers possible solutions for other geospatial needs

Capability for other uses and applications beyond CFS distance calculation

BTS interested in partnering with other federal agencies with comparable geospatial needs and challenges

www.bts.gov 17

Steve Lewissteve.lewis@dot.gov

(202) 366-9223

Questions or Comments?