Feasibility of an Intermodal Terminal in Rural Texas to Enhance Marketing and Transportation Efficiency
No hay miniatura disponible
Fecha
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
Resumen
Descripción
This study examines the economic feasibility of investment in an intermodal terminal in west
Texas and its implications for reducing roadway maintenance costs and CO2 emissions. The study
focuses on cotton, a leading agricultural commodity in Texas, which is highly dependent on the
international market and truck transport from west Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth complex for
purposes of accessing containerized railroad transportation to West Coast ports. Analyses were
accomplished with a spatial model of the U.S. cotton industry that features details regarding cotton
handling, storage, and transportation activities. The analyses indicate an intermodal terminal in
west Texas’ intensive cotton-production region to be economically viable, attracting nearly 30% of
Texas’ average cotton production. Implementation of an intermodal terminal in west Texas would
annually reduce truck travel on state roadways and lower pavement maintenance expenditure by
approximately $1 million and reduce CO2 emissions by 42% to 47%.