The Value of Pipelines to the Transportation System of Texas: Year One Report (1858-1)

Pipelines represent a major transporter of petrochemical commodities in Texas. The Texas pipeline system represents as much as 17 percent of the total pipeline mileage in the U.S. and links many segments of the country with energy sources located on the Gulf Coast. This research is expected to provide TxDOT a broad understanding of pipeline operations and their relationship to other modes of transportation. Knowledge of the location and interaction dynamics of pipelines with other forms of transportation (trucks, railroads and ocean) is essential for TxDOT to be able to plan and execute transportation improvements in the 21st century. This research is designed to provide TxDOT with an understanding of the location, function, interconnectivity of the state's pipeline system, and insight into how it or other state agencies may best work with pipelines to optimize the transportation system.|The first year task work is described in this report. Each task is described in a chapter devoted to that research work. Chapter 1 describes many of the operating characteristics for pipelines affecting their general business outlook. This chapter also includes information on preliminary work performed on the regulatory overview task and on the potential for pipeline integration task. Chapter 2 reveals the extent of the literature review and provides the basic or fundamental design considerations for a pipeline. Chapter 3 provides example maps and information regarding the GIS mapping data included in the report. Chapter 4 provides the basis background on the various modes of surface transportation interconnecting with the pipeline system in the state and how the interconnections function in relation to each other. Included in this chapter are various examples of the actual means and methods of the interconnections. Chapter 5 summarizes the research results of year one and outlines the research program for year two of this two year effort.