Relationship between Economic and Transportation Infrastructure Indicators and Freight Productivity Growth

Abstract

This study strives to examine the relationship between truck transportation productivity growth and economic indicators. The subjects for the case study were identified using the levels of economic activity for the years 2001 through 2007 and transportation indicators for 2002. On the basis of past works that have explored a similar theme, a truck transportation productivity measure is defined. First, the relationship between economic indicators—including employment and gross domestic product—and mobility, as a transportation indicator, are examined using descriptive statistics and maps. Then, three cases were selected for further qualitative examination on the basis of outlier measures. The factors that determine the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with high rates of trucking productivity growth and those with low growth, or even decline, seem to be influenced by the overall economic conditions, and also the economic development incentives and ingenuity of the communities to attract businesses. Case studies suggest that the MSAs that have been successful in attracting various types of businesses have also been successful in growing the trucking sector.