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Freight Analysis Framework (FAF)

The Freight Analysis Framework integrates data from a variety of sources to estimate commodity flows and related freight transportation activity among states, regions, and major international gateways. The original version, FAF1, provides estimates for 1998 and forecasts for 2010 and 2020. The new version, FAF2, provides estimates for 2002 and the most recent year plus forecasts through 2035.

FAF2 Data and Documentation: 2002-2035

The FAF Commodity Origin-Destination Database estimates tonnage and value of goods shipped by type of commodity and mode of transportation among and within 114 areas, as well as to and from 7 international trading regions though the 114 areas plus 17 additional international gateways. The 2002 estimate is based primarily on the Commodity Flow Survey and other components of the Economic Census. Forecasts are included for 2010 to 2035 in 5 year increments.

FAF2 Provisional Commodity Origin-Destination Data and Documentation: 2007

The FAF is based primarily on data collected every five years as part of the Economic Census. Recognizing that goods movement shifts significantly during the years between each Economic Census, the Federal Highway Administration produces a provisional estimate of goods movement by origin, destination, and mode for the most recent calendar year. These provisional data are extracted and processed from yearly, quarterly, and monthly publicly available publications for the current year or past years and are less complete and detailed than data used for the 2002 base estimate.

  • The Commodity Origin-Destination Database contains five files: the complete database in Microsoft Access format and four other files that make up the database in Comma-Delimited (CSV) format.
  • Technical Documentation [HTML, PDF 375KB]

FAF2 Highway Link and Truck Data and Documentation: 2002 and 2035

The FAF estimates commodity movements by truck and the volume of long distance trucks over specific highways. Models are used to disaggregate interregional flows from the Commodity Origin-Destination Database into flows among individual counties and assign the detailed flows to individual highways. These models are based on geographic distributions of economic activity rather than a detailed understanding of local conditions. While the FAF provides reasonable estimates for national and multi-state corridor analyses, FAF estimates are not a substitute for local data to support local planning and project development.

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.

Network Data Files

FAF2 Historical Commodity Origin-Destination Data and Documentation: 1997

To provide national freight movement trend analysis, the FHWA has re-processed the 1997 Commodity Flow Survey data and additional data by using the 2002 FAF data algorithm and methodologies. The 1997 data has the same coverage as the FAF2 2002 and 2010-2035 data. The 1997 data also maintain the same data dimension and terminologies to ensure all databases and GIS components are compatible with other FAF2 products.

FAF1 Products, Data and Documentation: 1998, 2010, 2020

This version of FAF is superceded by FAF2. Results from FAF1 and FAF2 should NOT be compared due to differences in scope and methods used.

Related Topics

Staff Contact

Michael Sprung
(202) 366-9047
Michael.Sprung@dot.gov

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