United States Department of Transportation
i
Determining the Potential Economic Viability of Inter-Modal Truck-Rail Facilities in Washington State
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2004-12-01
[PDF-415.82 KB]
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TRIS Online Accession Number:00987679
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OCLC Number:57967345
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Edition:Research Report
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Abstract:The general purpose of this research was to investigate and develop an applied methodology for determining the potential economic viability of inter-modal truck-rail facilities in Washington State. The focus was on discerning the attributes, characteristics or market situations that are associated with successful projects, thereby suggesting a framework for economic feasibility analysis of an inter-modal truck-rail facility. The overall methodology was to examine as many existing inter-modal centers, ports or trans-load centers as time and public information allowed, searching for the functions performed and the attributes of each facility or port that contribute to the competitiveness of that facility. The results of the research are presented in this report. A conceptual approach and general model of investigation is first developed. The conceptual approach looks at the rationale for inter-modal shipments, as well as the inherent economies and the role of the inter-modal facility in that movement. Then the conceptual relationship between volume, as an indicator of profit and therefore long-term viability, and various attributes or characteristics of inter-modal facilities of various types is presented. A focused review of literature is used to provide perspective of varying characteristics and analysis that has been done on the subject. A presentation of various inter-modal facilities and activities is presented, with a broad review of many facilities and undertakings, varying from port activities to broader movement efforts to agricultural gathering facilities. From this review and evaluative analysis a series of case studies/models is presented that appears most relevant to the state of Washington and its surrounding states. These are chosen as examples of facilities performing differing functions in the overall supply chain for exports and imports. These are then combined with the list of attributes that are useful, even critical, to prioritize the attributes for each of the facility types and functions. These then lead to conclusions and implications of the study.
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