In evaluating the future of the freight pipeline system it is important to assess possible future changes in the intercity freight systems with which it might compete. One such system is based on the unit train, now in widespread use in the transportation of coal, ore, grain, and other bulk commodities. This paper presents cost and performance (total transit time) estimating models for a general merchandise freight system, the intercity line-haul portion of which is based on conventional locomotives and general service boxcars operating as a unit in continuous service between origin and destination terminals. These terminals, which are modeled on existing highway and air cargo facilities, provide transhipment of freight between the line-haul and local access systems. Local access operations between terminals and ultimate freight origin/destination points are assumed to have cost and service characteristics similar to those of highway common carrier pickup and delivery operations. The analysis is in two parts. First, cost and performance of the line-haul unit train system are estimated as functions of train length and speed. A representative line-haul configuration (100 cars, 45 mph) is then combined with the terminal and access models to estimate total system cost as a function of shipment size and annual volume. Unit costs and equipment characteristics are best estimates of 1974 U.S. rail industry experience.
Transport of Solid Commodities via Freight Pipeline: Task Report II. Intercity Transportation of Manufactured Products in Unit Trains
1978
53 pages
Report
No indication
English