NCFRP Report 35: Implementing the Freight Transportation Data Architecture: Data Element Dictionary

This report presents the efforts to develop a freight data dictionary (FDD) for organizing the multiple freight data elements that are commonly used. 1 The research identified differences in data element definitions and methods for bridging those differences. A product of this research effort is a searchable and sustainable web-based freight data element dictionary for transportation analysis that is hosted by the USDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS provided overview, background, functions, features, sources, schema, implementation, timeline, challenges, and future opportunities for the FDD. 2

Referencing Page:

• 1Walton, C. M., Seedah, D. P., Choubassi, C., Wu, H., Ehlert, A., Harrison, R., & Loftus-Otway, L. (2015). NCFRP 35: Implementing the Freight Transportation Data Architecture: Data Element Dictionary. Washington, DC: National Academies of Science. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.nap.edu/catalog/21910/implementing-the-freight-transportation-data-architecture-data-element-dictionary
• 2Moulton, M., Christiansen, L., & Wang, X. (2018, September 14). Freight Data Dictionary: Linking freight data sources across transportation modes, subjects, and geography. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from Washington Statistical Society: http://washstat.org/presentations/20180914/Moulton.pdf