Ben Zietlow

Bio: Ben Zietlow has served as a Geoeconomist at the Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research & Education since February of 2012. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in philosophy and economics from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, and a Master of Science degree in geographic information science (GIS) from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is particularly interested in the triangulation of GIS, Freight, and Economic Development. Prior to CFIRE, he worked on road construction and commercial building projects as a surveyor for La Crosse Engineering & Surveying Co., and as a Trader’s Assistant on Robert W. Baird’s Institutional Equity Trading Desk in Milwaukee, WI.

GIS and Freight Planning: Diverting Oversized and Overweight Loads from Road to Marine Highways

The US freight system moved on average 54 million tons valued at $48 million per day in 2012 with nearly 70 percent of the tonnage moved by trucks, and only approximately 10 and less than five percent moved by rail and water respectively. Oversize and overweight (OS/OW) permitted loads are of special concern to stakeholders due to bridge load limits, pavement damage, and congestion issues. However, traditional freight data sources are ill-suited for use in long term freight planning in terms of OS/OW loads. The presentation will outline an approach- the data and methodology- for assessing domestic truck traffic suitable for diversion to marine shipping resulting in congestion alleviation as well as environmental and economic benefits.

state DOTs, planning, Oversize/Overweight truck permitting, modal diversion, marine freight system