A fractional split distribution model for statewide commodity flow analysis

This paper proposes and applies a relatively simple, but comprehensive, approach to modeling inter-regional commodity flow volumes. The approach estimates the fraction of commodity consumed at each destination zone that originates from alternative production zones. The resulting fractional split model for commodity flow distribution is more general in structure than the typical gravity model used today for statewide freight planning. The empirical analysis in the paper applies the fractional split model to analyze inter-regional commodity flows in Texas.