Internet-Based Mapping Prototype for Integration with an Electronic Freight Theft Management System

Abstract

The annual cost of freight theft in the United States is estimated to range between $15 billion and $30 billion. This statistic supports the importance of working toward increased prevention of freight theft and recovery. Current programs and technologies to help reduce freight theft include asset tracking using the Global Positioning System and radio frequency identification, as well as electronic manifests, which have been used to combat freight theft. Despite this progress, theft continues to be a significant cost to the freight industry. Important advancements have been made in technologies that could provide more support for law enforcement to assist in apprehending criminals. A new Internet-based mapping prototype that adds spatial analytical capabilities to the Electronic Freight Theft Management System, freight theft software developed by researchers at the Center for Advanced Transportation Systems Simulation at the University of Central Florida. This prototype integrates several technologies including the geographic information system (GIS), Map Server, and the Internet. It is capable of providing location information on individual thefts, a clustered view of related thefts, and an aggregated view of thefts at the county level. The web interface provides a mechanism for end users to perform spatial and aspatial queries on the database. The theft location and other relevant GIS data sets such as demographics, crime data, and street networks help in deciphering spatial patterns and trends of freight thefts. The mapping prototype is an effective spatial tool that can provide timely, reliable, and critical information to law enforcement officers for controlling and ultimately reducing freight theft.