Highlights Data from more than 400,000 intermodal movements is analyzed. The average CO2 intensity of intermodal freight is estimated at 67g CO2/ton-mile. The market area concept is used to explain the variance in intensity between lanes.

    Abstract This paper looks at the environmental effects of shifting from road to rail freight transportation. Little data is available to shippers to calculate the potential CO2 savings of an intermodal shift. In this paper we analyze a data set of more than 400,000 intermodal shipments to calculate the CO2 intensity of intermodal transportation as a distinct mode. Our results indicate an average intensity of 67g of CO2 per ton-mile, but can vary between 29 and 220g of CO2 per ton-mile depending on the specific origin–destination lane. We apply the market area concept to explain the variance between individual lane intensities and demonstrate the complexity in predicting the potential carbon savings in a switch from truckload to intermodal.


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    Title :

    Estimating the CO2 intensity of intermodal freight transportation


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2013-01-01


    Size :

    5 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English