Needrift - Opportunity and Need Discovery Engine
Compare how much of a service is needed with how much is available in the same area and time period.
Compare demand and capacity
Use the same unit for both values. For example, enter the number of parking spaces needed and the number usable at the same time. Include where the figures came from so someone else can review the result.
Project next month's demand
Enter 12 to 120 consecutive months for the same service, area, and unit. Put the oldest month first, followed by one demand figure per line. The tool compares two methods against past months before choosing a projection.
How to interpret the result
The comparison runs in this browser using the figures you enter. Check that both sources cover the same population and count the same thing. The range shows how different input estimates change the result. It carries no statistical confidence level.
Use Need Velocity to compare changes over time when you have observations from comparable periods.
Plan an evidence review with AI
Choose what your comparison supports and select the risks you want to check. Needrift drafts an ordered review using existing BusCalc tools. It makes no calls and sends no figures.
When sharing this plan with an assistant, review each exact tool request before approving it. Share only figures you are authorized to disclose.
Explore county evidence on the map
Find a Census county reference point by name or five-digit FIPS code. If you have a FEMA declaration number, check whether its published records match the county and your dates. FEMA declarations provide disaster context. Use separate demand and capacity figures for an opportunity finding.
Screen municipal service risk
Use comparable observations for the same service, area, and dates. Enter the share of requests unmet, service time lost, and the assessed population unable to access the service. Each part can use a different unit as long as its two counts use the same unit.
Open the municipal service risk worksheet
The editable starter weights are 50% for capacity and 25% each for continuity and accessibility. Adjust the weights for your decision and keep their sum at 10,000 basis points (100%). The starter freshness limit is 30 days for each part. Blank lower or upper counts use the central count.
The calculation runs in your browser. Its 0–100 index reflects your evidence and weighting, with no risk classification or statistical confidence level.
Compare historical storm reports
Compare NOAA storm records for the same calendar month in 2024 and 2025. This pilot covers three counties and four county-coded event types. The comparison counts distinct reported event records by start month. A zero means the archive has no matching record.
These reports are a partial record of significant weather. The comparison excludes forecast-zone and marine reports. Two archive years do not establish a long-term trend, current conditions, future risk or demand for a service.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database. Pinned details files: 2024 archive and 2025 archive. Data definitions.
Compare historical U.S. road travel
Look up national estimated vehicle-miles traveled and compare the same calendar month one year earlier. This archive covers January 1970 through February 2022.
Vehicle-miles measure total travel distance on public roads. These national estimates can be revised. Use the current FHWA report for newer months and your local source for route conditions, traffic delays, and closures.
Source: Federal Highway Administration, Office of Highway Policy Information. Historical dashboard data · Method and recent reports. Public Domain U.S. Government data.