Completed in June 2015, the NJTPA Regional Freight Commodity Profiles study enhanced the NJTPA’s freight modeling tools, analyzed and identified gaps in existing freight and industry data, collected data and information to fill those gaps, and prepared summary data products, including a set of Regional Commodity Profiles documents. In addition to supporting freight planning, these profiles will be used in stakeholder outreach and education.
The study built upon the findings and data developed as part of the 2040 Freight Industry Level Forecasts project completed in 2012. That project provided a picture of where concentrations of goods movement activity can be expected to occur in the region in the future, the types of commodities that will be moving, and where strategic investments should be made. It produced county-by-county freight profiles.
Freight issues are extremely important in the NJTPA region. Its port facilities, interstate truck corridors and crossings, freight railroads, air cargo facilities and warehousing/distribution centers are essential to the region’s economy. Understanding the freight logistics patterns within the region is therefore critical for effective transportation planning and promoting the efficient movement of commodities in ways that support sustainability and quality of life in the region.
Key work tasks of the Regional Freight Commodity Profiles study included:
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Enhancement of the NJTPA’s Freight Forecasting Tool to produce commodity-specific truck trip tables.
- Identification of “Top 10 Regional Commodity Groups” based upon economic and commodity flow data.
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Collection and analysis of data on each of the commodity groups, including: direction of movement; locations of production, shipping, handling, and receiving centers; modes and routes used to transport the commodities.
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Production of “Commodity Profile” documents for each of the Top 10 Regional Commodity Groups, which summarize the data analysis findings using charts, graphs, maps, and descriptive text.
The project was conducted for the NJTPA by a consultant team of Cambridge Systematics, Inc. with Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), and A. Strauss-Wieder Inc.
For further information on this project, contact Jakub Rowinski, NJTPA Project Manager at [email protected].