Research Reports
Report Details
Title:
North Dakota Strategic Freight Analysis: Heavier Loading Rail Cars
Authors:
University:
North Dakota State University
Publication Date:
Oct 2001
Report #:
MPC-01-127.4
Project #:
TRID #:
Keywords:
abandonment, branch lines, cost estimating, costs, decision making, freight trains, grain, hopper cars, impacts, modernization, simulation, strategic planning, tonnage ratings
Type:
Research Report – MPC Publications
Final Report Abstract
North Dakota's grain producers rely on an efficient rail system to move their products to export and domestic markets. A recent shift to larger grain hopper cars may threaten the viability of the state's light-density branch line network. This study simulates the impacts of handling larger rail cars on many types of rail lines, model the decision process used by railroads in deciding whether to upgrade such lines or abandon them, estimates the costs of upgrading rail lines that are unlikely to be upgraded, and estimates generalized highway impacts that could result from the abandonment of non-upgraded lines.
Related Reports
The following reports are listed by publication date in reverse chronological order.
- [Final Report] North Dakota Strategic Freight Analysis: Agricultural Sector - Summary Report
- [Final Report] North Dakota Strategic Freight Analysis: Shuttle Trains
- [Final Report] North Dakota Strategic Freight Analysis: Logistical Factors Influencing the Success of Value Added Processing Facilities
- [Final Report] North Dakota Strategic Freight Analysis: Intermodal Highway/Rail/Container Transportation and North Dakota