EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ADAPTING OR DEVELOPING COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS AND INTER-LINERS FOR USE IN SPECIALIZED RAIL AND BARGE EQUIPMENT

A significant portion of rail and barge transportation energy is consumed unproductively in freight operations through the necessity of making empty backhauls. In 1975 the transport of empty railcars accounted for more than 45 percent of the total freight car-miles and nearly 25 percent of the gross ton-miles. Despite economic and energy penalties, empty car mileage has increased in recent years. Clearly, a reduction in empty railcar and barge mileage could lead to significant reductions in rail and barge energy consumption. This report represents the results of an exploratory investigation into the use of collapsible containers and interliners as specialized equipment for railcars and barges as a means of reducing empty backhauls. The report contains potential solutions to the technical and regulatory requirements and the economic problems associated with the use of such containers and interliners. It also contains recommendations on further research including the direction and scope.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared under Purchase Order No. EC-77-X-01-2957, for U.S. Department of Energy, Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Solar Applications, Division of Transportation Energy Conservation.
• Corporate Authors:

  Snitzler (James R) and Associates, Incorporated

  7009 Berkshire Drive
  Camp Springs, MD  United States  20021
• Publication Date: 1978-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ammonia; Barge operations; Barges; Bulk cargo; Cargo handling; Chemicals; Container utilization; Containers; Covered hopper cars; Dry bulk cargo; Economic analysis; Energy conservation; Fertilizers; LASH barges; Liquid bulk cargo; Loads; Logistics; Petroleum industry; Regulations; Tank barges; Tank cars
• Uncontrolled Terms: Anhydrous ammonia; Petroleum trade
• Old TRIS Terms: Barge utilization; Bulk liquid containers; Collapsible containers; Economic analysis (Tank barges); Empty cars; Government regulations; Lash cargo; Tank liners
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Freight Transportation; Law; Marine Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179266
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Department of Energy
• Report/Paper Numbers: HCP/M2957-01 UC-96
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 19 1978 12:00AM