We’re Really Asking for It: Using Surveys to Engage the Freight Community

Abstract

Freight transportation concerns and issues have received increasing attention during the 1990s. Various public-sector agencies have attempted to identify locations where improvements are needed to facilitate freight movements. Needed improvements have been determined via modeling, technical data and estimates, reviews of plans and other documents, personal observations, and public input. Various observers think that information from these sources should be combined with more specific information from shippers and motor carriers moving freight. No definitive research has been conducted on how best to survey shippers and motor carriers. To establish the most effective means of obtaining views from the freight community about infrastructure problems on state highways and the supporting road network, the Oregon Department of Transportation sponsored the development of a method to conduct a shipper and carrier survey. Pilot instruments and methods were systematically administered to a stratified, random sample of Oregon freight shippers and motor carriers.

A selected review on the negative externalities of the freight transportation: Modeling and pricing

“…Pollutants are harmful in terms of their direct damage to environment and health (called conservative pollutants) as well as some of those being precursors to other detrimental pollutants (secondary pollutants) (McAuley, 2010). Carbon monoxide (CO) is considered to be a conservative pollutant when present in high concentrations (Lawson, 2007). These high concentrations may be found around congested roads or in cities.…”

“…High concentrations are more likely to occur when there is little wind to disperse the emissions. CO reduces bloods oxygen-carrying capability; this can lead to acute effects (e.g., headaches) or chronic effects, such as, increasing the risk of heart disease (Lawson, 2007). VOCs and NO x can potentially increase the risks of respiratory and heart disease and damage plants, waterways and ecosystems (PSRC, 2010).…”

“…Spills refer to leakages, accidental or deliberate disposal of cargo materials or other materials (lubricants, fuel, etc.) used in the transportation process (Lawson, 2007). The quality of water can also be affected by air pollution (e.g., acid rain).…”

“…Examples of the corresponding external costs associated with freight transportation include replacing habitat with roads, rails, or other transportation infrastructure, the visual intrusion of transportation on the landscape, high traffic volumes that limit people to cross roads, and species loss caused by highways (OECD, 1997;Lawson, 2007).…”

“…Among prior studies investigating externalities of transportation (see, e.g., Miller and Moffet, 1993;Mauch and Rothengatter, 1995;IBI Group, 1995;Spellerberg, 1998;Ranaiefar and Regan, 2011), a predominate stream encloses initiatives to reduce emissions (e.g., carbon dioxide) from transportation by, for example, minimizing 'empty kilometers' (see, e.g., Demir et al, 2014b) or using 'greener' transportation modes (e.g., trains/barges compared with cars or trucks) (see, e.g., Forkenbrock, 2001;Black et al, 2003;Lawson, 2007;Zimmer and Schmied, 2008). While a few studies have paid attention to other externalities, the focus is limited on road transportation (see, e.g., Forkenbrock, 1999;Lindberg, 2002).…”