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Virtual Freight Network (VFN): Using Operations to Move Freight in South Florida

Virtual Freight Network (VFN): Using Operations to Move Freight in South Florida. Melissa Ackert, E.I. Florida Department of Transportation. Anita Vandervalk, P.E. Cambridge Systematics. South Florida Freight and Goods Existing Conditions.

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Virtual Freight Network (VFN): Using Operations to Move Freight in South Florida

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  1. Virtual Freight Network (VFN):Using Operations to Move Freight in South Florida Melissa Ackert, E.I. Florida Department of Transportation Anita Vandervalk, P.E. Cambridge Systematics

  2. South Florida Freight and Goods Existing Conditions • South Florida is home to several of Florida’s largest international gateways • Port Everglades • Port Miami • Miami International Airport • Significant growth in freight volumes are anticipated within an already congested urban area 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Source: South Florida Regional Freight Plan.

  3. South Florida Key Regional Initiatives /Projects to Impact F&G Movement • Significant infrastructure investments are underway • Port Everglades and Port Miami expansions underway • FEC Railway to serve on-port ICTFs and expand logistics capabilities • Miami International Airport expanding and improving landside connections • Major freeway expansions and operational enhancements under construction (e.g., SR826/SR836 interchange; I-595; I-95) Port Everglades (PEV) Master Plan includes projects to deepen and widen the port channels Source: Port Everglades 2009 Master Plan/Vision Plan Update • http://www.broward.org/Port/MasterPlan/Documents/VisionPlan09312010.pdf

  4. Freight and Goods Growth, Example Source: Port Everglades 2009 Master Plan/Vision Plan Update • http://www.broward.org/Port/MasterPlan/Documents/VisionPlan09312010.pdf

  5. Overview of the Virtual Freight Network (VFN) • VFN is a regional freight-focused dynamic mobility application being developed by public- and private-sector freight stakeholders • VFN enhances data sharing among the region’s commercial vehicle operators, freight facilities, shippers/receivers, and existing public-sector ITS infrastructure to improve freight mobility and system performance • VFN is being considered for deployment on routes serving as key corridors and connectors providing access to/from major intermodal facilities

  6. Key Objectives of VFN • Improve travel time reliability • Reduce delay for commercial vehicles moving to/from the region’s key freight facilities • Reduce number of empty/unproductive movements • Enhance real-time monitoring of system performance and improve effectiveness of mobility applications • Improve safety and regulatory compliance of commercial vehicles operating in the region • Improve environmental stewardship

  7. Types of Technologies • Dynamic Routing • Commercial Vehicle Traffic Probes • Load-Matching Application • Synchronized Signal Timing • Virtual Compliance Stations PEV example.

  8. Types of Technologies Dynamic Routing • Integrate data from public- (e.g., incidents, work zone, weather) and private-sector sources (e.g., commercial vehicle traffic probes) • Make data available to private-sector stakeholders in various formats • Provide data in a standardized electronic format that can be integrated directly into current routing and dispatch software • Provide automatic data feeds to motor carrier systems • Post travel times on variable message signs at the exit of intermodal facilities

  9. Types of TechnologiesCommercial Vehicle Traffic Probes • Commercial vehicles will serve as traffic probes • Vehicle location and average speed data will be collected via private- and/or public-sector communication technology • Data will be integrated into the region’s traffic management centers • Vehicle-specific identifiers will not be stored as part of the probe data collection effort

  10. Types of TechnologiesLoad-Matching Application • Limit number of empty/unproductive truck moves in the region by developing and maintaining a web-based load matching application • Provide a forum for shippers and receivers to post available loads and an opportunity for commercial vehicles to find a load to haul on their trip back to/from an intermodal facility

  11. Types of TechnologiesSynchronized Signal Timing • Synchronize timing of traffic signals on key arterials around intermodal facilities • Give priority to traffic queues with large numbers of commercial vehicles • Miami Dade County is in the process of completing installation of an Automated Traffic Signal Synchronization System across the County

  12. Types of Technologies Virtual Compliance Stations • Deploy virtual compliance stations at key locations around the region to support: • Real-time screening of commercial vehicles for compliance with Federal and state credential, safety, and/or size and weight regulations • Possible deployment sites could include: • Eller Drive leading to the entrance/exit of the container operation at Port Everglades • Port Boulevard leading to the entrance/exist to the Port or Miami • Entrance/exit to FEC Hialeah Rail Yard

  13. Regional Characteristics and Proposed Functionality Proposed VFN Elements: C-TIP functionality to maximize movements among key freight hubs Real-time traveler information to support real-time re-routing of commercial vehicles Use of commercial vehicles as traffic probes to improve accuracy of traveler information Virtual weigh stations will help improve safety and enforcement activities Operational characteristics: Drayage moves between Port of Miami, Port Everglades and FEC intermodal terminal Access to/from Miami International Airport Access to/from warehouse/distribution facilities from/to region’s freight facilities Port Everglades FEC Intermodal Terminal Miami International Airport Port of Miami

  14. Implementing the VFN • VFN concept developed in Spring 2010 • South Florida stakeholders presented VFN to USDOT at an Intermodal Freight Technology Working Group meeting hosted by Port of Miami in Summer 2010 • DMA application submitted to USDOT’s “Call for Ideas” in Fall 2010 • USDOT created Freight Advanced Traveler Information System (FRATIS) program • FRATIS ConOps and Functional Requirements developed in Spring 2012 • Cambridge Systematics selected for prototype testing in South Florida in Fall 2012

  15. What is USDOT’s Freight Advanced Traveler Information System (FRATIS) Program? • Part of the USDOT-RITA ITS “Connected Vehicle” Program • “Dynamic Mobility Applications” sub-program • Two primary elements • Freight Dynamic Traveler Information and Planning • Drayage Optimization • Current program status • Concept of Operations Study completed (June 2012) • National Needs Assessment, ConOps, System Requirements, Test Readiness Assessment • Development & Limited Testing Phase – Begins 09-2012

  16. Three FRATIS Deployments Are under Development •  South Florida • Virtual Freight Network (VFN) concept designed to provide the region’s freight community with ITS-based solutions to mobility constraints • Los Angeles • Gateway Cities Technology Plan for Goods Movement provided a blueprint for an end-to-end information support system to improve the efficiency of goods movement in Southern California • Dallas • Leveraging the Basic Safety Message from the Connected Vehicle program and the FHWA Integrated Corridor Management program

  17. What is a FRATIS?Background • Available resources have varying coverage and do not always provide freight-specific information • Technology is not used consistently by the trucking industry • Freight routing, scheduling, and dispatch decisions are sometimes made in an ad-hoc fashion • Effectiveness of systems is limited by data availability and data accuracy • Lack of real-time data contributes to operational inefficiencies • Freight has unique operational characteristics that require different data and methods/timeframes of information delivery • U.S. DOT is driving new research to improve freight efficiency and environmental performance

  18. What are the Benefits of FRATIS?User Needs Survey Results Note: USDOT FRATIS National Drayage Survey Results

  19. South Florida FRATIS Development and Test Program Concept

  20. FRATIS Implementation Activities • South Florida freight community is partnering with US DOT to develop and test a prototype FRATIS • Trucking companies, railroads, port authorities, MPOs, FDOT districts, industry associations, and more • Program focus will be on: • Dynamic traveler information • Drayage optimization • Emergency management response/recovery • Kick-off meetings scheduled for early November

  21. Contacts & Additional Information Melissa Ackert, E.I. VFN Concept Lead FDOT District 4 Traffic Operations Melissa.Ackert@dot.state.fl.us (954)777- 4156 For more information on USDOT’s program, please visit the Research and Innovative Technology Administration’s (RITA) Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office website http://www.its.dot.gov/ Randy Butler FRATIS Project Manager USDOT/FHWA Office of Freight Management Randy.Butler@dot.gov (202) 366 - 9215 

  22. Questions?

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