Over the last decade, data collection technologies and analysis methods have advanced rapidly. Government agencies and industry stakeholders now employ a variety of in-road and on-board sensors with potential to capture information on goods movements and on freight vehicle activity. At the same time, states and MPOs are working to rapidly respond to new federal requirements for freight planning and freight performance measurement. These activities have traditionally relied on major federal data products such as the Commodity Flow Survey and the Freight Analysis Framework. While these data sources provide an important baseline for interregional analysis, new approaches are needed to address critical and persistent data gaps such as local vehicle and commodity flows, intermodal movements, and underrepresented commodities – e.g. e-commerce - that are not covered by the CFS. Given the complexity and the pace of change in the organization of modern supply chains, planners also need data sources that recognize the time-variability of freight flows and that provide timely information. With support from the Federal Highway Administration, the 2017 and 2019 TRB Innovations in Freight Data Workshops brought together attendees in May 2017 and April 2019 in Irvine, California. Attendees included representatives from local, regional, state, federal, and international agencies; consultants; academic researchers; and data professionals. The workshop included a variety of content, including: expert panel sessions; interactive demonstrations sessions; an interactive poster sessions; and awards ceremonies. Major themes addressed included data collection technologies; case study applications; and methods for and challenges of collecting and sharing new data sources. Feedback from 2017 and 2019 Workshop attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees identified networking opportunities, learning about new data sources, and learning about case studies/applications as the most important aspect of the workshop. In a post conference survey, an overwhelming majority of respondents indicated interest in repeating the workshop in two years.

Building on lessons learned from the 2017 and 2019 workshops, the objective of the 2021 Innovations in Freight Data Workshop will be: To once again bring together freight data users and decision makers to learn and share the latest applications of emerging “big” data sources to improve freight planning, freight operations and mobility, and freight visualization; To showcase data applications, with particular emphasis on identifying adaptable/open source user-friendly tools; To invite participation from across the modal spectrum of goods movement, including highway, rail, marine, and air; and To invite participation from data scientists and technology developers to move the conversation beyond making incremental improvements to traditional freight planning and analysis methods.

The 2021 Innovations in Freight Data Workshop is expected to follow the format of the successful two-day 2017 and 2019 workshops. The planning committee will seek applications form interested participants and will invite expert panelists to participate in a variety of session types, including panel presentations, speed presentations, live demonstrations of applications or technologies, and breakout discussions. A workshop report will be published that provides an overview of the entire workshop proceedings. A pooled fund technical representatives-only workshop session will be provided to discuss key takeaways, lessons learned and technology transfer actions for members to take back to their states. Pooled fund technical representatives will be invited to join the overall workshop planning committee but will be required to serve as a session moderator, speaker, poster presenter, technical representatives-only workshop session planner or technical representatives-only technology transfer webinar planner.

Requested minimum commitment per state is $14,000 with the provided option to commit in FY20, FY21 or a combination of both totaling $14,000. This commitment will support two technical representatives attending the workshop. The 2021 Innovations in Freight Data Workshop will take place in September 2021 in Irvine, California. This pooled fund will accept a total of 7 partners. SPR Part B 100% waiver will be requested. **Update on 6/3/2020 - workshop date moved from June 2021 to September 2021**