The Usefulness of Freight Performance Measures in Urban Policy

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2019-01-01

Department

School of Public Policy

Program

Public Policy

Citation of Original Publication

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Abstract

This dissertations investigates the usefulness of freight performance measurement (FPM) in urban policy. Currently, decision-makers determine policies with robust data on people movement but limited data for freight, especially for freight mobility as this data involves proprietary private sector risks. However, freight mobility data is critical for urban policy. This dissertations poses two questions: Do performance measures influence urban policy? Are they worthwhile? These questions are explored using a retrospective, current and future assessment of FPM use and benefit. The use of elite interviews and a follow-up focus group helps to provide subjective accounts while regression analysis helps provide an objective lens. The results show that FPM is perceived as useful and influential in urban policy, but in limited ways primarily due to its availability. Newer freight mobility data is a statistically significant predictor of funding decisions and appears worthwhile as a policy tool.