The existing transportation network is straining under the volume of freight moving through it, and those volumes are predicted to keep growing. In addition, capital investments, whether for timely maintenance or new constructions, have not kept pace with freight demand. Investment decisions affecting the future of efficient freight movement have been hindered by the absence of analytical frameworks, tools, and data of sufficient quality and detail to be credibly used to estimate benefits and impacts, and to assess attendant risks. In addition, significant capital investment is needed to improve the efficiency and productivity of freight movement. However, investment funds are scarce, and for many freight infrastructure investments, costs are borne and benefits are enjoyed locally and nationally by both the public and private sector. Because of this complex interrelationship, a new, consistent, and usable analytic framework is necessary to guide and focus these multi-dimensional investment decisions. Under NCFRP Project 5, Cambridge Systematics was asked to fill a critical gap in the resources available to freight planning and investment decision makers, both public and private, by providing an integrated analytical approach for supporting and evaluating complex freight investment decisions. The framework that was developed allows stakeholders to evaluate potential benefits of highway, rail, seaport, and intermodal connector projects on a common basis using existing data and analytical tools in a manner that is consistent with existing decision-making processes of different stakeholders. NCFRP Report 12: Framework and Tools for Estimating Benefits of Specific Freight Network Investments provides a comprehensive analytical framework and related tools that private - sector freight transportation modes and public - sector transportation interests can use to estimate private and public benefits to evaluate potential freight infrastructure investments. Using interviews with transportation planners and an extensive review of prior research and a review of current methods used to assess freight benefits or prioritize improvement projects, the research developed a freight evaluation framework with three main functions: (1) to enhance public planning and decision - making processes regarding freight; (2) to supplement benefit/cost assessment with distributional impact measures; and (3) to advance public-private cooperation. The framework is capable of handling projects that span all of the different modes and able to assess benefits from a variety of project types, including those that improve freight operations, as well as generate more capacity through infrastructure expansion. The research, by developing a practical set of formats for information collection, will support public-private agency discussions by helping all parties understand the wide range of perspectives and interests in potential freight investments. (Author/publisher)
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