Innovative Framework for Modeling Freight Transportation in Los Angeles County, California

摘要

Freight transportation is a critical element of the transportation system and the economy of Los Angeles County, California. Freight transportation links the large consumer market, major manufacturing industry sector, and international trade network of Los Angeles to the rest of the United States and the world. As the agency responsible for transportation planning and programming in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority needs comprehensive tools for understanding the demands of the freight transportation sector and the effects of transportation investment on this sector. A project was undertaken to design a comprehensive, innovative, multi-modal modeling framework to support freight transportation decision making in Los Angeles County. The proposed modeling approach combines elements of two state-of-the-art freight modeling techniques: logistics chain modeling and tour-based truck modeling. The reasons for selecting this approach are described; background on the modeling techniques is provided; and integration of the two methods into a comprehensive modeling framework is discussed.