Emerging Trade Corridors and Texas Transportation Planning

This report describes the major trends in intermodal shipping that are impacting Texas intermodal trade corridors. Key supply and demand forces that underpin intermodal service and routing options are provided. Intermodal development from a technological and shipping industry perspective is described, including the impacts of the global economic recession beginning in late 2007. This is followed by an overview of Texas trade patterns with various trading partners with particular attention paid to those relationships that are in a current state of flux. A review of current and future corridors used for handling international intermodal trade shows the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different routing options for intermodal cargo shipping. Texas ports officials regard the new Panama Canal lock system due to open in 2014 as critical to future demand so a chapter is devoted to examining the system and current status. The inherent economics of different corridor options is enhanced by the development of marine and rail cost models that explore the basic tradeoffs for transportation providers in choosing different corridors. Finally, suggested infrastructure and economic milestones driving changes in trading patterns are given particularly as they relate to the Texas economy and its transportation system.

  • Record URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Project Title: Emerging Trade Corridors and Texas Transportation Planning. Report Date: September 2009; Revised: February 2010.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Texas, Austin

    Center for Transportation Research, 1616 Guadalupe Street
    Austin, TX  United States  78701-1255

    Texas Department of Transportation

    Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
    Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Harrison, Robert
    • Hutson, Nathan
    • Seedah, Dan
    • Kruse, Jim
    • Morgan, Curtis
  • Publication Date: 2010-2

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Edition: Technical Report
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 145p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01219902
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-10/0-5973-2, Report 0-5973-2
  • Contract Numbers: 0-5973
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Oct 22 2010 11:34AM