Analysis of Regional Supply Chain Economic and Environmental Effects of Expansion of the U.S Freight Rail System

This paper analyzes the regional supply chain economic and environmental effects of shifting 10% of intercity freight carried by trucks to rail. Compared to truck, the freight-rail network provides a cost competitive, more fuel-efficient shipping alternative that can also help to reduce roadway congestion. At the same time, the increased demand for rail transportation raises the need for the expansion of the railroad system. The case study assumes that 10 percent of intercity freight moved by trucks in Pennsylvania is shifted to rail, and that this shift requires a 10 percent expansion of the freight-rail system: construction of new tracks, stations, maintenance and repair shops, and manufacturing of new locomotives. Using the national and regional 1997 benchmark economic input-output life-cycle assessment models (EIO-LCA and REIO-LCA) developed at Carnegie Mellon University, we estimate the change of total supply chain economic activity, electricity and fuel use, emission of carbon dioxide and conventional air pollutants (CO, SO(2), NO(2), VOC, PM(10)) induced by the shift between rail and truck transportation in Pennsylvania and the Mid Atlantic economic region (including DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY and PA). The paper finds that the shift has environmental benefits considering only the transportation sectors of their supply chains. If the railroad infrastructure investment effects are allocated over a period of time, the overall supply chain effects are also positive.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0784407991
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Hendrickson, Chris T
  • Matthews, H Scott
  • Cicas, Gyorgyi
• Conference:
  • Applications of Advanced Technology in Transportation. The Ninth International Conference
  • Location: Chicago Illinois, United States
  • Date: 2006-8-13 to 2006-7-16
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 768-773
• Monograph Title: Applications of Advanced Technology in Transportation. Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Environmental impacts; Freight handling; Freight service; Freight terminals; Freight traffic; Freight transportation; Intercity transportation; Intermodal terminals; Piggyback transportation; Railroad transportation; Supply chain management; Truck terminals; Truck traffic; Trucking; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Freightliner trucks
• Subject Areas: Environment; Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01038542
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0784407991
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 29 2006 11:07AM