Exploration of Data Sources for Air Cargo Studies

Project Number: 2525

Research Project: There is no doubt that air cargo plays an important role in the economy of California and the United States. But there are few studies in valuation of this role. If transportation planners do not understand the role air cargo plays in the economy, then there is no way to know  whether there is need for improvement, and specifically how planners should improve the infrastructure and where indicated, reevaluate policy for the air cargo industry.

Principal Investigator: Wenbin Wei, Assistant Professor, Aviation and Technology, San Jose State University

Telephone Number:
(408) 924-7560
Email Address: mti@mti.sjsu.edu

Project Objective:

There is an apparent dearth in studies regarding the valuation of air cargo transportation in the state of California. This study will be a first step in evaluating the need for a comprehensive analysis of California’s air cargo transportation system, its place in the global economy, and potential areas of improvement.

This seed grant project will explore preliminary research on the valuation of air cargo transportation in California. The principal investigator will explore the available data sources and databases, and investigate what data are available in various sources, and what analysis can be made based on current data sources. A written report covering the findings will be submitted at the conclusion of the grant work. It is the principal investigator’s hope that this preliminary investigation will lead to a more in-depth analysis of California’s air cargo industry.

Project Abstract:

There is no doubt that the air cargo industry is an important segment of California’s economy. But little research has been performed on the valuation of air cargo transportation in this state.

There are two important reasons that somewhat explain the lack of research and understanding of the role air cargo plays in the economy: 1) comparing with passenger traffic, there are no sufficient, accurate and consistent data available for the air cargo industry, although there are multiple resources for this data; 2) there are many agents involved in the air cargo industry, including shippers, carriers, airports, ground transportation agents, and various levels of governments; and the inter-relationship between air cargo and other economic indicators is complicated.

The preliminary research resulting from this project will hopefully become a first step in a comprehensive analysis of California’s air cargo industry. 

Total budget: $5,000.00

Student Involvement:

 

Technology Transfer Activities:

Upon publication, pdf and html versions will be available on the Mineta Transportation Institute web site. The project experience and data will be available for community meetings. Authors are encouraged to submit articles based on the research to relevant journals and to present the information to end-users at conferences.

Potential Benefits of the Project:

The benefits of this project are twofold:

1.      Basic research will be performed regarding the air cargo industry in California. The principal investigator will identify potential data sources, and critically evaluate those sources for a potential in-depth analysis of the industry.

2.      If the principal investigator is satisfied with the available data sources, he will proceed with a proposal for additional study which will include study of the valuation of the air cargo industry in both domestic and international (import and export) markets; a  literature review and analysis on the relationship between air cargo and other economic indicators such as GDP, employment, and trade; proposing strategies to Caltrans for improving the air cargo infrastructure and policy in California.

TRB Keywords: Air cargo, Air transportation policy, Cargo preference; Carriers; Transportation planning; Transportation policy

Primary Subject:
Air Transportation/Economic impact

Goals:

To critically examine currently available data about California’s air cargo industry and its place in California’s economy. 

Enabling Research:

Modal Orientation: 

Air