Integrated Intermodal Transportation Corridors for Economically Viable and Safe Global Supply Chain

Transportation infrastructure networks are essential to sustain our economy, society and quality of life. Freight transportation of consumer goods and commercial/industrial products is critical for sustainable and efficient supply chain. The primary objectives of this project are to identify major transportation corridors involving inland river ports, highway network and rail infrastructure; and to evaluate the revenue/funding aspects, economic viability, safety, and disaster resiliency of integrating selected segments of the candidate corridors. The scope of this project is limited to North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) trading partner countries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The project investigated the aspects of multimodal freight related to congestion, intermodal integration, and impacts of fuel savings and carbon dioxide emissions. Key results of the study include: (1) This project developed geospatial maps, optimization models, benefit/cost results of proposed modal integration simulation studies, life cycle economic model results of economic and environmental impacts, and intermodal infrastructure bank proposal. (2) Theoretical consideration and associated field studies improved understanding of transportation professionals for tire/pavement interaction during braking and crash incidents. Guidelines are recommended for implementation to improve road safety. (3) Computer simulations of commodity flow through selected port(s) and freight corridor(s) with economic and sustainability analysis are used to show the importance of the intermodal integration approach for enhancing the economic competitiveness, safety, security and disaster resilience of freight transport. (4) The intermodal freight corridor case studies are used to develop a “best practice guide” for consideration by government transportation agencies, private transport operators, and other global supply chain stakeholders. (5) The developed approach of freight corridor integration studies demonstrate the assessment of economic and other societal benefits, which include reduction of wastage of hours of travel time and traffic congestion, cost avoidance of fuel wastage on highway corridors, and decrease in transportation related emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. It is recommended that the developed approach of multimodal freight corridor studies be applied by transportation agencies to assess economic and other societal benefits, which include reduction in highway congestion and decrease in transportation related harmful emissions.

  • Record URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Mississippi, University

    Center for Advanced Infrastructure Technology
    University, MS  United States  38677-1848

    National Center for Intermodal Transportation for Economic Competitiveness

    Mississippi State University
    479-2 Hardy Road 260 McCain Hall
    Mississippi State, MS  United States  39762

    Research and Innovative Technology Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Uddin, Waheed
    • Sherry, Patrick
    • Eksioglu, Burak
  • Publication Date: 2016-8

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Edition: Final Report
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 211p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01625814
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: NCITEC 2012-27, UM-CAIT/2015-02
  • Contract Numbers: DTRT12-G-UTC14
  • Files: UTC, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 11 2017 8:54PM