01153542

Component

The network robustness index (NRI) has been proposed as a more holistic approach to prioritizing road segments for maintenance, improvement, and protection. The utility of this index for identifying segments of importance for freight or any other transportation has not been tested. This project applied the index to a data set representing milk flows in northwestern Vermont. Data for bulk milk collection routes were collected using geo-loggers carried on each truck. A TransCAD street layer was used as the base network and farms were associated with nearest pre-existing nodes. An origin-destination matrix representing two days of milk flows was used to calculate the NRI with TransCAD. For assessing the costs in the case of milk flows, the authors used units of pound-hours, which expressed the dual importance of milk transport volumes and their corresponding travel times. When the model was run, a baseline system-wide total pound-hours of milk flow was first calculated; then the increase in pound-hours of milk flow was calculated as individual links in the network were removed. Links associated with a higher “cost” to the system when removed received a higher ranking in terms of criticality. Using the NRI as a measure of system-wide network reliability and flexibility and to identify critical links in the movement of bulk milk may help state agencies or towns prioritize road investments to support the movement of this economically important freight. This information can also help milk handlers and regional cooperatives engage in emergency contingency planning.

01147878

10-0593

English

11p

2010

Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (1) ; References (22) ; Tables (2)

Freight traffic; Freight transportation; Network nodes; Networks; Risk assessment; Supply chain management

Network Robustness Index; TransCAD (Computer program)

Freight Transportation; Highways; I70: Traffic and Transport

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2010 Paper #10-0593

BTRIS, TRIS, TRB

Jan 25 2010 10:18AM