Unit Train/Great Lakes Bulk Ship Cost Comparison

by Edward A. Beimborn, (A.M.ASCE), Dir.; Center for Urban Transportation Studies, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisc.,
Mohammed T. Soomro, (A.M.ASCE), Transportation Planner; East-West Gateway Regional Planning Council, St.Louis, Mo.,


Serial Information: Transportation Engineering Journal of ASCE, 1977, Vol. 103, Issue 5, Pg. 545-554


Document Type: Journal Paper

Abstract:

An analysis is made of the economic tradeoffs between moving bulk goods by unit train or by bulk carrier operating on the Great Lakes. Variations in ship and train size, length of haul, and seaway season are conducted. Results of the research indicate that unit train costs generally exceed those of rail-water shipments in cases where the water portion of the haul is of significant length. Further effects of greater ship size and larger operating periods are also noted.

Subject Headings: Lakes | Ships | Comparative studies | Economic factors | Freight transportation | Seasonal variations | Railroad trains | Multimodal transportation systems | Great Lakes

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