Transforming Freight Flow Data Collection

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) requires technical support to transform methods that collect and estimate freight flow data. To remain effective in measuring nationwide goods movements, it is important that Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) data collection methods and the techniques used to develop its derivative product, the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF), be transformed to leverage the continuously improving data collection technologies, and the availability of administrative data and other alternative data sources. Furthermore, the transformation is necessary to capture the many changes in the transportation sector with respect to logistics and supply chain, such as the growing number of the third-party logistics providers, distribution centers, and electronic shopping.