InstructionsAssignment Directions: Focusing on the Shift/Maintain pillar of the Avoid-Shift-Improve (A-S-I) Framework, describe and depict approaches to improve transportation efficiency. This is a lo

Week 3 – Assignment 8

Week 3 – Assignment

Allen Stimson

American Public University

4/25/2026

Abstract

Kansas City, Missouri, is regarded as a major freight hub in the central region of the United States due to its convenient location at the convergence of numerous interstate roads and rail lines. This situation arises because Kansas City is located in the state of Illinois. Although this stance facilitates the transportation of goods across national and regional borders, it also presents challenges with regard to traffic, safety, and environmental equity. The Avoid-Shift-Improve (A-S-I) framework is used in this research project to examine Kansas City's transit system. This software draws information and ideas from the Transportation Geography of the United States, the Transportation Statistics Annual Report (TSAR), and the United States Pocket Guide to Transportation. Potential solutions that can lessen the amount of unnecessary travel, make it easier for travellers to switch to less environmentally damaging forms of transportation, and increase operational efficiency have been found as a result of the investigation (F. Transportation Statistics Annual Report , 2023). Coordinated deployment of these technologies has the potential to improve mobility, lessen environmental impact, and provide equal access for locals while preserving economic activity in the area. These advantages can all be attained at the same time.

Applying the Avoid-Shift-Improve Framework to Kansas City, Missouri

The city of Kansas City is widely regarded as one of the most important cities in the Midwest in terms of the movement of commodities and logistics. In accordance with the United States Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), 2023a, the city's strategic location at the intersection of Interstates 35, 70, and 435, in addition to the presence of major rail yards operated by BNSF and Union Pacific, makes it possible for the city to distribute goods in an effective manner across a variety of regional and national markets within the country.

Particularly for the transportation of goods between the East Coast and the West Coast, as well as for the purpose of connecting the agricultural Midwest to larger metropolitan markets, the intermodal capacity of Kansas City is an essential component within the context of the national supply chain. This is especially true for the latter (F. Transportation Statistics Annual Report, 2023). This central location does, however, result in transportation issues, such as congestion along freight corridors, an increased risk of collisions as a result of interactions between trucks and passengers, and environmental repercussions for towns that are located in close proximity to heavily trafficked highways and rail lines. These issues are all caused by the fact that the location is in the middle of the city.

In the Transportation Statistics Annual Report (2023b), it is noted that trucks are responsible for conveying the bulk of commercial commodities. This highlights the fact that Kansas City has a significant amount of freight volumes in contrast to the size of its population. Despite the fact that trucking enables flexible and speedy delivery of goods, the presence of a significant proportion of freight traffic on shared routes contributes to congestion and delays associated with passenger cars (Hu, 2022). An increase in the variability of travel times and a decrease in operational efficiency are the effects of the fact that it is usual for goods deliveries to coincide with peak travel times in the morning and evening. Furthermore, a number of freight intensive corridors in Kansas City pass near to low-income neighbourhoods, which raises concerns about environmental justice due to the exposure to diesel particulate matter and noise pollution (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2023). These corridors are located in close proximity to their vicinity.

By utilising the Avoid-Shift-Improve paradigm, it is possible to take a methodical approach to overcoming these challenges. This presents a number of opportunities.

Avoid

The "Avoid" component emphasises cutting down on travel time and avoiding unnecessary travel. Due to Kansas City's fragmented land use patterns and urban sprawl, residents and goods must travel farther to get to their destinations. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2023a), low-density metropolitan regions tend to have higher per-capita vehicle miles travelled, which exacerbates traffic and pollution.

By enacting laws that support telecommuting, flexible work schedules, and consolidated goods deliveries, Kansas City may be able to reduce the amount of automobile journeys. In order to lower the demand for travel, urban planners should also promote higher-density construction along transportation links (Kolawole Omoyajowo, 2024). In addition to reducing the number of times vehicles must travel into congested areas, the distribution of commodities through regional consolidation centers located outside of the metropolitan core can also lower emissions and traffic. Avoiding tactics and cutting back on unnecessary travel can help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action) (United Nations, n.d.).

Shift

The "Shift" component concentrates on switching to more ecologically friendly means of transportation. In Kansas City, trucks currently serve as the main means of freight transportation, while public transportation usage is still quite low. It might be possible to reduce traffic and pollution on highways by using more regional trains for long-distance freight. Rail is a particularly effective means of transportation for bulk commodities like grain, building materials, and industrial goods. Additionally, truck-to-rail transfers can be facilitated by intermodal facilities, which can maximise both economic and environmental performance (Transportation Geography of the United States, 2023c). On the passenger side, moving locals from single-occupancy cars to light rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) might significantly reduce traffic during rush hours. Even though Kansas City's MAX BRT line has made great progress, further high-frequency transit route extension is still required to create sustainable urban mobility (Kwon, 2022). Infrastructure for walking, bicycling, and other active transportation has the potential to improve public health while lowering the number of short car trips.

Improve

The "Improve" component emphasises efforts to enhance the existing transportation infrastructure's efficiency and environmental performance. Both freight and passenger routes in Kansas City would benefit from intelligent transportation systems (ITS). These technologies would prioritise goods signals and regulate traffic in real time. (EPA, 2023) The electrification of buses and heavy-duty vehicles has the potential to reduce diesel emissions, hence improving the quality of the air in places near busy roads. Infrastructure upgrades include bridge restoration, pavement upkeep, and intermodal yard modernisation increase both safety and reliability (Mikalai Filonchyk, 2024). Modernising freight infrastructure can reduce maintenance costs, the risk of accidents, and travel delays, according to the Transportation Safety Administration (2023b). These upgrades are especially critical for economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods that are located between Interstates 35 and 70, as these neighbourhoods are subjected to a disproportionate amount of pollution that is caused by vehicles.

Conclusion

The necessity of striking a balance between the effectiveness of freight flow, passenger mobility, and community well-being is best illustrated by the city of Kansas City. The use of the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework highlights the fact that no single solution is sufficient. A more equitable and sustainable transport system can be achieved by reducing unnecessary travel through telecommuting and urban planning, switching to more ecologically friendly forms of transport, and improving operational efficiency through technological developments and infrastructure improvements. Coordinated planning procedures including municipal officials, goods operators, and community stakeholders are critical to the successful execution of these programs. Kansas City is able to maintain its status as a national logistics hub while reducing the likelihood of traffic jams, safety issues, and environmental repercussions by putting the A-S-I structure into practice.

References:

F. Transportation Statistics Annual Report . (2023, December 1). Transportation Statistics Annual Report 2023 (United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Ed.). ROSA P. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/72943

Hu, P. (2022, December 1). Transportation Statistics Annual Report 2022. ROSA P. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/65841

Kolawole Omoyajowo. (2024). Balancing Regulation and Innovation: The Future of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management in U.S. Heavy-Duty Transportation. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4950185

Kwon, T. (2022). Annual Report Transportation Data Research Laboratory 2004 Prepared by. https://www.d.umn.edu/natsrl/documents/FY2004reports/TDRL_2004.pdf

Mikalai Filonchyk. (2024). Analysis of Air Pollution from Vehicle Emissions for the Contiguous United States. Journal of Geovisualization and Spatial Analysis, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41651-024-00180-6