MPC
Research Projects (2005-06)

Identifying Number

MPC-264

Project Title

Evaluation, Definition, and Identification of the Criteria for Establishing Freight Corridors

University

North Dakota State University

Project Investigator

Mark Berwick
Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
North Dakota State University
(701)231-9594
Fax: (701)231-1945

External Project Contact

N/A

Project Objective

Establish the criteria necessary for analyzing data and metrics needed in establishing regional freight corridors. Develop a scope of work outlining the steps needed in establishing corridor designation.

Project Abstract

Corridor analysis has been completed for many different designations since the passage of ISTEA in 1991. Some studies have been conducted without a clear understanding or blueprint of what should be analyzed. Differences exist in corridor analysis between rural and urban, passengers and freight, and provides the impetus for this study. For a regional or national corridor designation to have an impact or receive upgrades, it has to be recognized by local, state, provincial, and federal governments. Freight corridor designations lead state Departments of Transportation to a highway design that accommodates large trucks, provides for safety improvements with features such as increasing lane width, adding passing lanes, and providing road geometry. The purpose of a freight corridor is to provide for the efficient movement of freight which improves traffic flow and limits impediments. Designating freight corridors and their improvements provides for the efficient movements of goods through improved transportation services. Designating corridors across the U.S. northern and southern international borders provides an avenue for express security screenings and pre-clearance for transportation providers using ITS-CVO.

North Dakota's strategic transportation plan "TransAction" identified 16 strategic initiatives. Initiative 4 states that "North Dakota will improve the performance of priority corridors and facilities." TransAction defines corridors as "a collection of interconnected and interacting facilities. Priority transportation corridors and facilities cut across geographic and jurisdictional boundaries. Some corridors lie wholly within the state, and others are interstate. Successful corridor and facility development require consistent standards, long-term planning continuity, and partnerships between governmental units, modes and the public and private sectors."

This study will analyze and report on different techniques and steps necessary in establishing a freight corridor. This study will evaluate methods and best practices and processes needed for corridor designation. This will include changes that should be made to infrastructure for corridor designation including highway bridges and geometry.

Task Descriptions

1. Complete a literature review of previous and on-going freight corridor studies. This review will include federal and state documents relating to corridor designation, corridor studies, data collection and analysis, implemented corridor designations, and other topics as they present themselves through the research process.
   1. Conduct literature review on the history of corridors and corridor designation, studies and other relevant documentation.
   2. Evaluate study processes and success of corridor projects.
   3. Examine corridor designation and what implementation processes were followed.
2. Examine data uses in previous corridor studies and explore data needs for rural analysis.
   1. Determine data needs for analysis in corridor designations.
   2. Evaluate methods of data use in corridor analysis.
   3. Explore best practices in data use for corridor analysis.
3. Develop a scope of work needed to establish a freight corridor designation.
   1. Design a scope of work for conducting feasibility analysis for a freight/trade corridor based on the findings from Tasks 1 and 2.
   2. Identify data and modeling needs for corridor designation.
   3. Summarize the scope of work in a report.
4. Develop a case study outlining the necessary steps needed to attain corridor designation status for a U.S. Highway.
   1. Estimate the cost/benefit implications of developing a freight corridor on a U.S. highway that provides interconnectivity of states and regions.
   2. Estimate costs of upgrading roadway to a higher priority corridor status.
   3. Evaluate economic implications of improving freight throughput.
   4. Estimate demand of truck traffic and the environmental implications associated with elevating a corridor status.
5. Write a report including the previous tasks including a step-by-step process or how-to guide in achieving corridor designation. This report would also include a scope of work that could be used in a request for proposal on looking at a corridor study.

Milestones, Dates

Starting Date: July 1, 2005
Ending Date: June 30, 2006

Yearly and Total Budget

$69,890

Student Involvement

One graduate research assistant and a part-time undergraduate assistant

Relationship to Other Research Projects

This research is not related to any other research project funded by the MPC.

Technology Transfer Activities

A presentation of the research findings will be presented via the videoconference network.

Potential Benefits of the Project

N/A

TRB Keywords

Freight corridor