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FAF1 Highway Truck Volume and Capacity Data

The following information is from the original Freight Analysis Framework (FAF1). It will be updated in late 2006.

The databases linked from this page contain information on highway flows at the segment level. Using data from the FAF commodity flow database, truck flows were estimated and then assigned to three truck types and to local networks. The three truck types were determined by several characteristics, including payload and regional variations.

Highway capacity and traffic estimates were used to route truck flows. (The capacity and traffic estimates were developed from state-reported traffic counts on the National Highway Planning Network (NHPN)(http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhpn/index.html). Trucks were assigned to the network by routing traffic from centroids, which represent or approximate a major freight transfer or generation point within each county, to the network after accounting for capacity usage by others on a roadway.

Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) forecasts and other national and state-level forecasts were also added to the FAF database in order to examine future demand. For more information please see the Freight Analysis Framework Highway Capacity Analysis Methodology Report.

To Use the Database

If you have Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software:

  1. Download the appropriate network files for either ESRI or TransCad products.
  2. Import the appropriate data files under the FAF output heading.

If you do not have GIS software, FAFid.dbf contains reference information on the location of each highway segment in FAFData.dbf. You can read the contents of FAFid.dbf and FAFData.dbf with spreadsheet, database, or text editing packages that can import files in dBase format.

Caveats

  • The current version of FAF was constructed using an older version of NHPN, which may result in some difficulties in comparing the network across other segments.
  • Some states dramatically changed their HPMS data programs since this dataset was developed.
  • Future roadway supply is fixed in the FAF capacity database; estimates of current and anticipated constructions are not included in FAF.

Network Data Files

Note: All other files are under 5KB unless specified.
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