DOT Renews Boring Freight Data Gathering for Supply Chains
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation wants to keep collecting important data on how goods move across the country through the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program. This renewal helps improve supply chains without adding new costs or big changes. If you have thoughts, you can share them by May 1, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Time Burden for Participating Businesses
FLOW participants are estimated to spend up to 21 hours per year each submitting data: up to 6 hours to establish the initial system connection, up to 2 hours annually for routine maintenance, and up to about 13 hours annually for weekly manual uploads. BTS estimates up to 140 respondents and a total annual burden of 2,940 hours.
Aggregated FLOW Data Aims to Improve Operations
BTS will provide aggregated, deidentified FLOW measures to participants as leading indicators of freight congestion and supply chain performance to help industry decision making. The program aims to support balancing cargo demand with system capacity and improve supply chain efficiencies.
Participation Is Voluntary, Not Mandatory
FLOW participation is voluntary for businesses in the freight industry; there is no regulatory requirement to submit data. Companies may choose whether to join and submit data to the program.
Confidentiality Protections Under CIPSEA
Data submitted to FLOW are treated confidentially under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA, 44 U.S.C. 3561-3583) and will be used exclusively for statistical purposes. BTS will share only aggregated, deidentified data with participants and will not disclose identifiable responses except with informed consent.
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