A Feasibility Assessment of Truck-Barge Intermodal Freight Transportation

University Transportation Centers Program1998PDFTech ReportTrusty, KristenMalstrom, EricUniversity of Arkansas. Mack-Blackwell Transportation CenterUnited States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramUniversity of Arkansas. Mack-Blackwell Transportation CenterUnited StatesBargesIntermodal transportationFreight transportationSoftwareBenefit cost analysisRailroad transportationTrucksCargo facilitiesWater transportationCargo transportationComparisonCost analysisIntermodal transportation systemsSoftware toolsUsers manualWaterway transportationMBTC-FR-1079This report examines the feasibility of truck-barge intermodal freight transportation, along with the feasibility of rail-barge and single modal barge transportation. The report includes the enhancement of an existing software package that determines the cheapest mode combination between an origin and destination. The enhanced software calculates the cost of the shipment . including transportation cost, transfer cost, inventory-carrying cost, and dray cost. A detailed user's manual is presented. The project examines a network of thirteen cities along the United States inland waterways. The project also developed a set of tables that determines the mileage where a mode of transportation becomes the cheapest alternative. In addition, the report addresses the commodities that could benefit by utilizing barge transportation and examines the seasonal delays resulting in barge transportation.127