Transportation Activities Associated with High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Operations in the Marcellus Shale Formation: Analysis of Environmental and Infrastructure Impacts

The natural gas extraction method of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) has a significant truck transportation component, with estimates ranging from 625 to 1,148 heavy truck trips for equipment, materials, and waste movement for each well drilled in the Marcellus Shale. ArcGIS Network Analyst was used to analyze the environmental impacts of transporting sand and water to, and waste from, Pennsylvania wells from 2011 to 2013. The locations of wells, resource supply areas, and waste disposal facilities served as a series of origin and destination pairings for probable truck routes. Material and waste volumes per well were used to estimate the truck counts assigned to each route, leading to estimates of truck traffic by road segment. Emission loads and energy usage were calculated with the geospatial intermodal freight transport model. Simulation results of 22-ton loads estimated 4.4 million one-way truck trips totaling nearly 86.5 million vehicle miles and producing nearly 19 Mg of particulate matter and 745 Mg of nitrogen oxides, among other pollutants. Maps showing road segments with high truck counts identified areas of potential health and infrastructure impacts. On-site recycling of wastes offset an estimated 842,678 truck trips and associated emissions. Case studies developed during this project pointed to the need for better data collection and data distribution efforts in states extracting gas and those considering whether to allow HVHF operations. The results will help policy analysts and environmental planners to understand and evaluate the environmental, health, and economic impacts (pro and con) associated with the movement of HVHF equipment and materials.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2503-08
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/173205.aspx
• Authors:
  • Korfmacher, Karl
  • Hawker, J Scott
  • Winebrake, James
• Publication Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 70–80
• Monograph Title: Air Quality
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2503
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel engine exhaust gases; Energy consumption; Environmental impacts; Geographic information systems; Heavy duty trucks; Hydraulic fracturing; Origin and destination; Trucking
• Geographic Terms: Marcellus Shale; Pennsylvania
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01551537
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309295802
• Report/Paper Numbers: 15-3146
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 27 2015 11:23AM