The Value of Pipelines to the Transportation System of Texas: Year Two Report (1858-2)

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 has been undertaken to provide Texas Department of Transportation (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 was described in Report 1858-1. This report documents the second year of research and builds on information presented in the first year report. Included in this report are a literature review of physical, business, and policy issues related to pipeline, documentation of the Geographic Information System (GIS) database that is submitted with this report, further development of an inventory of pipeline interconnections with other modes, discussion of pipeline industry operational and regulatory issues and pipeline utilization, and recommendations to TxDOT regarding roles in pipeline and commodity transport.