A Modal Comparison of Domestic Freight Transportation Effects on the General Public: Executive Summary (TTI-2007-4)

This executive summary briefly discusses research performed for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration; and the National Waterways Foundation. This project examines many of the same aspects as the 1994 Maritime Administration report, Environmental Advantages of Inland Barge Transportation, but uses more current data and¿in some cases¿new data sources. The current project examines the following research areas: cargo capacity, congestion, emissions, energy efficiency, safety impacts, and infrastructure impacts. It also looks at a case study in St. Louis, Missouri. The analysis is predicated on the assumption that cargo will be diverted to rail or highway (truck) modes in the event of a major waterway closure. The analysis considered the possible impacts resulting from a diversion of 100 percent of the current waterborne cargo to either the highway mode or the rail mode. A final report is also available.