Understanding Freight Movement in the Northeast
Submitted by Chris Coil on Tue, 2012-03-27 11:21
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March 27, 2012
The Freight Efficiency workgroup within the Transportation and Climate Initiative recently commissioned a study by Dr. James Winebrake of the Rochester Institute of Technology to explore freight movement in the TCI region. As Dr. Winebrake's study shows, more than 80% of all freight moved in TCI states is transported by heavy trucks, which often produce more greenhouse gas emissions than other modes of transportation.
The study looks at all truck, rail, air, and ship flows through the TCI region and provides data and context for regional plans, programs, and policies to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts from freight transportation. The results have also been shared with the Northeast Corridor Commission to assist in the Commission’s policy work, and Dr. Winebrake has presented his findings on behalf of TCI to other groups as well.
Given the positive response to this work, the workgroup has proposed a follow-up study that would a) explore the energy use and emissions associated with the freight movement throughout the region, and b) identify freight routes by vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and time to market (TTM) to determine potential transportation improvements in specific areas.
Below are a few graphs about freight movement in the Northeast and one of Dr. Winebrake's recent PowerPoint presentations. For additional information, please contact freight workgroup facilitator Kate Zyla or workgroup chair Brett Taylor with the Delaware Department of Transportation.
