Abstract
Availability of adequate and relevant information in certain formats is important in the analysis of possible impact of policy relating to freight transportation. The application of geographic information system (GIS) technology is a valuable tool in integrating spatial data with other forms of data. Such integration in a visual format facilitates understanding of the interrelationships between variables and provides a better feel for the potential implications of any policy initiatives. The application of GIS techniques to freight movement in a corridor analysis is presented. The nature of trucking activities along the I-90/I-94 corridor from Seattle to Chicago and how these activities are influenced by truck size and weight (TS&W) regulations are investigated. The GIS approach allows the analyst or policy maker to address a range of what-if public policy questions. The policy questions for TS&W are complex and are beyond simply understanding the overall freight and transportation characteristics of the corridor. The database allows the analyst to visually understand freight movement on a given highway and forecast the probable outcome of changing certain rules and regulations that control such movement.
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