Assessing Potential for Modal Substitution from Statewide Freight Commodity Flow Data

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Assessing Potential for Modal Substitution from Statewide Freight Commodity Flow Data

Aultman-Hall, Lisa / Johnson, Bradford / Aldridge, Brian

Kentucky, despite its relatively small area, has an extensive multimodal freight transportation network. Presented are findings of the statewide freight commodity flow analysis that relate to one of the multimodal transportation planning issues currently facing Kentucky—the relative role of various modes in freight transport and the potential for modal substitution. Issues affecting the type of data required for statewide freight planning studies also are discussed. Statewide issues, such as modal substitution questions, require freight commodity data by origin, destination, and mode. The aggregation of data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics or other publicly available data was considered unfeasible and the study team was referred to Reebie Associates for detailed freight commodity flow information. The Reebie freight commodity flow data were analyzed by mode, commodity, and spatial zone within Kentucky to determine where the potential for modal substitution was greatest. Three areas of the state were found in which improvements for intermodal facilities for water and rail transportation might be considered. The data confirmed the extent of Kentucky’s multimodal reliance, that is, the majority of freight (by weight and volume) traveling to and from Kentucky moves by nonhighway modes. However, it was also noted that rail and water connections between Kentucky and certain areas of the United States may need further consideration because almost all freight to and from these areas moves by truck. Several other projects within the state are ongoing with these data.