Year 3 Report on the Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Freight Pipeline System in Texas (9-1519-3)

Planning for increased freight transportation has become a major issue in the US in its own right. Tremendous quantities of goods now flow between the US and Mexico, mostly transported by truck. In fact, Texas, because of its geographic location, serves as the principal land-side gateway to Mexico, and, as a consequence, hosts truck traffic from all over the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This truck traffic is beginning to dominate certain Texas highways with adverse ramifications that include diminished safety, decreased roadway life, and increased congestion and air pollution. The current research is aimed at determining whether freight-conveying pipelines can offer an improved alternative to the existing surface modes. This third year report addresses key technical issues and the economics of freight pipeline construction, operation, and maintenance. Results suggest that an underground system is technically feasible and cost, while substantial in terms of the initial investment, may prove low in the long term, with significant social benefits accruing through avoided costs.