Evaluation of the Social Cost of Modal Diversion: a Multi- Modal Safety Analysis

A multifaceted controversy surrounds the evolving use of rail lines for the movement of coal and oil out of the Midwest to West Coast ports. From environmental concerns over blowing coal dust, to recent catastrophic derailments and subsequent explosions of rail cars carrying Bakken oil out of North Dakota, to the closure of the Cold Train Express from Quincy to Chicago and the massive delays on obtaining rail cars for Midwest grain, the Northern Corridor rail lines are undoubtedly in a state of change and necessary evaluations. Multiple agencies, from state and federal departments of transportation, to the USDA and state Ecology Department, have ramped up interest and involvement in the development of future planning and policy. As each of the above interests and concerns are addressed, the interplay of capacity, safety, efficiency, and reliability will, and has, impacted Washington agricultural producers. This begins the development of the necessary economic performance metrics in line with the needs of the agricultural and transportation communities.

• Record URL:
  • http://hdl.handle.net/1773/43511
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium

  University of Washington
  More Hall Room 112
  Seattle, WA  United States  98195-2700

  University Transportation Center Region 10

  More Hall 112
  Box 352700
  Seattle, WA  United States  98195

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  Department of Transportation
  1200 New Jersey Avneue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Sage, J L
  • Miller, A
• Publication Date: 2016

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Research Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 43p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coal; Crude oil; Externalities; Forecasting; Freight trains; Hazardous materials; Modal diversion; Railroad safety
• Geographic Terms: Washington (State)
• Subject Areas: Environment; Freight Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01675310
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC40
• Files: UTC, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 19 2018 2:44PM