README for “Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present” dataset. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS); U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) [distributor] 2025-07-01 ---------------------------------------------------------------- LINKS TO DATASET ---------------------------------------------------------------- A. Dataset archive link: https://doi.org/10.21949/1402687 B. NTAD catalog dataset link (Current Year): https://doi.org/10.21949/1527987 C. Dataset Documentation Link: https://doi.org/10.21949/1519110 ---------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY OF DATASET ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present dataset is from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)/Bureau of Transportation Statistics’s (BTS's) National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD). This data package includes tabular files with results from FAF5 2017, 2022, and 2050 baseline assignments to represent freight flows by three separate truck only flows type (Total Truck, Single Unit, and Combination Unit) and three freight flow markets (domestic, import and export). 2017 and 2022 model years contain 6 data tables and 2050 model year contains 11 data tables, representing the truck only flows. Each data table can be linked to the FAF5 network geography to display truck flows by link. ---------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------- A. General Information B. Sharing/Access & Policies Information C. Data and Related File Overview D. Methodological Information E. Data-Specific Information for: Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present [datasets] F. Update Log ---------------------------------------------------------------- A. GENERAL INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 0. Title of Dataset: Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present [dataset] 1. Description of Dataset: The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present dataset is from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)/Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS's) National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD). This data package includes tabular files with results from FAF5 2017, 2022, and 2050 baseline assignments to represent freight flows by three separate truck only flows type (Total Truck, Single Unit, and Combination Unit) and three freight flow markets (domestic, import and export). 2017 and 2022 model years contain 6 data tables and 2050 model year contains 11 data tables, representing the truck only flows. Each data table can be linked to the FAF5 network geography to display truck flows by link. 2. Dataset archive link: https://doi.org/10.21949/1402687 3. Authorship Information: Principal Data Creator or Data Manager Contact Information Institution: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Address: 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington D.C. 20590 Contact: bts@dot.gov Data Distributor Contact Information Name: National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) Institution: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Office of Spatial Analysis and Visualization (OSAV) Address: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington D.C. 20590 Email: ntad@dot.gov 4. Date of data collection and update interval: Updates occur every 5 years, years that end in 2 and 7 Updates occur every 5 years, years that end in 2 and 7 Dataset Manager is contacted to verify changes to data resulting in NTAD update. The metadata is updated in the same manner. For the most recent data, please visit the NTAD catalog at https://doi.org/10.21949/1527987 5. Geographic location of data collection: United States of America 6. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) ---------------------------------------------------------------- B. SHARING/ACCESS & POLICIES INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 0. Recommended citation for the data: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) [distributor]. Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present [datasets]. 1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: These data are in the Public Domain. 2. Was data derived from another source?: Yes. Some data derived from the states. 3. This document was created to meet the requirements enumerated in the U.S. Department of Transportation's 'Plan to Increase Public Access to the Results of Federally-Funded Scientific Research' Version 1.1 << https://doi.org/10.21949/1520559 >> and guidelines suggested by the DOT Public Access website << https://doi.org/10.21949/1503647 >>, in effect and current as of December 03, 2020. ---------------------------------------------------------------- C. DATA & RELATED FILE OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. File List for the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present dataset A. Filename: bts_NTAD_FAF_Assignments_DMP_20250701.pdf Short description: A PDF file containing the Data Management Plan that was created for current and future management of the data and associated files. B. Filename: bts_NTAD_FAF_Assignments_README_20250701.txt Short description: The README.txt file that includes human-readable information about the data, variable definitions, contact information, and other contextual information. The file you are reading now. C. File List for the NTAD2022_CSV_Final_FAF5_Highway_Network_Assignments_2022_04_11.zip collection Ca. File List for the FAF5_Highway_Assignment_Results collection Ca 1. File List for the FAF5_XXXX_Highway_Assignment_Results collections Ca 1a. File List for the CSV_Format collection Ca 1a a. Filename: FAF5*.csv Short description: Comma-separated values (CSV) files for the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments 2022-Present dataset. Data are classified by the baseline assignments (2017, 2022, and 2050) and freight flows. Cb 1a b. Filename: FAF5 Assignment Flow Tables Data Dictionary.pdf Short description: Portable Document Format (PDF) file containing key metadata and documentation information such as methodology, procedures, data dictionary, etc. Files are classified by data vintage date. Cb 1a c. Filename: Linking FAF 5 Assignment Flow Tables to TransCAD and ArcMap Networks.pdf Short description: Portable Document Format (PDF) file documenting the procedure to join assignments to networks displayed on TransCAD or ArcMap software packages. ---------------------------------------------------------------- D. METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: Update and integrate intermodal terminals. States geo-location matched and attributes verified. Update NHS and intermodal connector links. States edge matched and NHS attributes verified with HPMS 2012. Modified NHS codes as per direction of the FHWA to align with the MAP-21 changes as reported to HPMS 2012 database. Update National Network (NN) codes based on the information from FHWA Truck Size and Weight Regulation Study, 1998 as well as the HPMS “Truck” attribute. Update LCV codes based on FHWA Truck Size and Weight Regulations. Verified with state specific input from DOT website or direct contact. Modified NHS based on amendments. Update truck route restrictions code and include restrictions due to height and hazmat designation using the State data sources, and the Rand McNally truck road atlas. Verified Intermodal terminals. 2. Instrument- or software-specific information needed to interpret the data: Comma-separated Values (.csv) can be opened with any text, tabular, or spreadsheet software program. Common software used to open .csv files are Microsoft Windows Notepad, Microsoft Office Excel, or any open-source spreadsheet software. The documentation files can be opened with any basic text editor. ---------------------------------------------------------------- E. DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) Highway Network Assignments data table Due to the size of the data, it is not described in detail here. Review the data dictionary present in the data folders for information on the data table. A. Number of variables (columns): The data dictionary found in FAF_Assignments.txt or FAF_Assignments.xlsx provides definitions for the variables B. Data Dictionary/Variable List: Because of the large number of variables, please refer to the Data Dictionary found within the file FAF_Assignments.txt or FAF_Assignments.xlsx for names, definitions, and formats of variables. C. Missing data codes: None ---------------------------------------------------------------- F. UPDATE LOG ---------------------------------------------------------------- This bts_FAF_Assignments_20250701_README.txt file was originally created on 2025-07-01 by Dominic Menegus, Geographer, dominic.menegus@dot.gov [Note changes or update to the readme.txt file, e.g.:] 2025-07-01: Original file created 2025-12-09: DOI added