The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) is the research division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The agency embarked on a study of the state's freight transportation industries to show the statewide economic impacts of the various transportation modes, and the economic benefits of investing in transportation infrastructure improvements.
MERIC staff used the TREDIS model as a source of economic impact estimates, and as a means of showing the impact of policies to reduce congestion, increase capacity and speed, and divert freight from congested to non-congested freight modes and routes. Impacts were shown in terms of industry, transport, safety and environmental costs, ultimately affecting gross regional product and recurring jobs.
