01152778

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2162-06

http://scholar.google.com...nson&publication_year=2010

As demand for freight movement rises, so does truck traffic. In turn, traffic congestion, harmful emissions, maintenance costs, and accidents increase. One alternative to truck transport of goods is mixed-goods service on passenger rail networks, a concept that offers several benefits to the involved parties. These benefits include additional revenue for rail operators, more reliable travel times, reductions in harmful trucking externalities, and more efficient usage of existing facilities. As a case study, the use of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system in California for FedEx Express cargo movement is examined. FedEx Express was selected because the company’s major hub is located at Oakland International Airport (OAK). To analyze the potential costs and benefits of BART mixed-goods service, two alternatives are compared against the status quo of truck-only transport. The first alternative assumes minor capital investment; the second assumes far greater capital investment, including a jointly operated BART–FedEx facility at OAK. Truck vehicle miles traveled (VMT), FedEx Express operating costs, BART operating costs, and carbon dioxide emissions are determined for the status quo and each alternative. Analysis shows that given sufficient demand, mixed-goods service can be profitable for passenger rail systems, cost-effective for air freight carriers, and highly effective in reducing truck VMT and associated externalities.

01174654

10-2942

English

pp 44-52

2010

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309142922

Print

Figures (3) ; Maps (1) ; Photos (1) ; References (11) ; Tables (3)

Air cargo; Benefit cost analysis; Capital investments; Carbon dioxide; Case studies; Externalities; Freight traffic; Motor carriers; Operating costs; Rail transit facilities; Truck traffic; Vehicle miles of travel

FedEx Corporation; Metropolitan Oakland International Airport; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District

Economics; Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers; Railroads; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 25 2010 11:26AM

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