Optimal Design of Inland Waterway System to Enhance Intermodal Transportation: Challenges and Opportunities

Inland waterway use for freight transport presents significant environmental benefits compared to other transportation modes, contributing to sustainability, and reduced ecological impact. Despite the United States' well-developed inland waterways system, a significant portion remains underutilized. This proposal aims to address the challenges hindering the full potential of inland waterway freight transport and realize its environmental advantages. The research approach involves a combination of in-depth interviews and surveys to comprehensively explore the barriers to adoption and collaboration strategies that can lead to prioritized investments in infrastructure, enhanced intermodal connectivity, and awareness about the environmental benefits and long-term sustainability of water transportation. The recruitment of participants will be achieved through a two-fold strategy. Firstly, online outreach and professional networks will be leveraged to engage relevant stakeholders, including professionals from shippers, manufacturing, supply chain, and government agencies. Secondly, a snowball sampling and referral approach will be implemented, starting with initial participants who will refer other colleagues and contacts within their networks, thereby expanding the participant pool and accessing diverse perspectives. The expected deliverables include a comprehensive literature review on inland waterway freight transport, identifying trends, innovations, and challenges in the field. A final synthesis report will present the research findings, including methodology, results, and recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and industry players. A white paper will summarize the research outcomes in accessible language for the general public, highlighting the environmental benefits and the potential positive impacts of waterway transportation on local communities and the economy.

• Record URL:
  • https://matc-data.unl.edu/research-database/694

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $179976
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348307

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Mid-America Transportation Center

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Missouri, St. Louis

  1 University Boulevard
  St. Louis, MO  United States  63121-4400
• Principal Investigators:

  Encarnacion, Trilce

  Li, Haitao

  Enayati, Shakiba

  Bracy, Jill

• Start Date: 20230601
• Expected Completion Date: 20250531
• Actual Completion Date: 20250630
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental impacts; Freight transportation; Inland waterways; Intermodal transportation; Sustainable transportation
• Subject Areas: Environment; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01908397
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348307
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 19 2024 6:12PM