The state of the art in the predictive analysis of freight transport systems

This paper presents a review of the major methodologies which have been used to make predictions concerning the intercity freight transportation system. Three general categories of methods are defined: econometric models, spatial price equilibrium models, and freight network equilibrium models. After stating a conceptual definition of the freight transportation system, the major theoretical and empirical works in each category are discussed in terms of this conceptual framework. A recently developed model which is a synthesis of the spatial price and freight network equilibrium models, is also included in this discussion. The purpose of this review is to clarify the similarities and differences between the various techniques which have been used to model the freight transport industry and to illustrate how these models can be used in the development of better predictive models of intercity freight transportation systems.