Analysis of Fuel Ethanol Transportation Activity and Potential Distribution Constraints

An analysis is provided of fuel ethanol transportation activity and potential distribution constraints if the total 36 billion gal of renewable fuel use by 2022 is mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Ethanol transport by domestic truck, marine, and rail distribution systems from ethanol refineries to blending terminals is estimated with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s North American infrastructure network model. Most supply and demand data provided by EPA were geocoded, and the transportation infrastructure network was updated through use of available commercial sources. The percentage increases in ton-mile movements by rail, waterways, and highways in 2022 are estimated to be 2.8%, 0.6%, and 0.13%, respectively, compared with the corresponding 2005 total domestic flows by various modes. Overall, a significantly higher level of future ethanol demand would have a minimal impact on the transportation infrastructure. However, there will be spatial impacts, and a significant level of investment will be needed because of a considerable increase in rail traffic from refineries to ethanol distribution terminals.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2168-16
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Analysis+of+Fuel+Ethanol+Transportation+Activity+and+Potential+Distribution+Constraints&author=S.+Das&author=B.+Peterson&author=S.+Chin&publication_year=2010
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Freight_Transportation_Modeling_Planning_and_Logis_164468.aspx
• Authors:
  • Das, Sujit
  • Peterson, Bruce
  • Chin, Shih-Miao
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 136-145
• Monograph Title: Freight Transportation Modeling, Planning, and Logistics
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2168
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Demand; Ethanol; Freight traffic; Physical distribution; Railroad transportation; Supply chain management; Ton miles; Trucking; Water transportation
• Identifier Terms: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity constraints
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01155581
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309160377
• Report/Paper Numbers: 10-0700
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Apr 28 2010 7:32AM