Studies on the Demand for Freight Transportation, Vol. 1

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Studies on the Demand for Freight Transportation, Vol. 1

The volume is devoted to the estimation of freight demand in the Northeast Corridor. It is argued that a mode of freight transportation should be considered in terms of its abstract attributes, and the demand for freight transportation is analyzed in inventory theoretic terms. A macro-economic approach to the matter provides a more complete micro-model designed for descriptive, as well as forecasting, purposes. The grand total demand for freight transportation at the macro-level is estimated at the first stage on the basis of the values of exogeneous variables; then, at the second stage, the total is sub-divided with the aid of some specifically pertinent variables. In the third stage, the second stage sub-totals are again sub-divided with the aid of still other specific variables, etc. The interdependence of macro-totals on sub-totals is exploited as a part of the estimation technique. The data requirements provided can be useful in developing data banks or future statistical system for the Department of Transportation. A more current data requirements list is also provided. A novel technique for estimation of origin-destination data on freight movements using incomplete information is presented.