Title: Feasibility of a Next-Generation Intermodal Rail-Truck Transport System for the Western I-80 Corridor

Principal Investigator's Name(s): Dr. Rhonda Young, P.E. along with R&S Consulting

Project Sponsor: Washington Department of Transportation

Project Timeline: August 2005 – May 2006

Background: The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is performing long-term planning to address projected 100 percent growth in commercial trucks over the next 15 years. To address projected growth, WYDOT is considering increasing I-80 capacity either by increasing the existing number of lanes or developing new roadway by constructing and maintaining specially segregated truck lanes. Either of these alternatives will be very expensive to construct and significantly increase WYDOT’s maintenance costs. Maintenance costs are primarily funded from State revenue sources while reconstruction costs are funded by a combination of state and federal funds.

WYDOT spends approximately $65 million annually to maintain I-80 at a high level of service (LOS). Trucks are, by an order of magnitude, the primary factor in pavement deterioration. With or without the potential 50% capacity expansion for I-80 roadway assets, the projected growth in trans-Wyoming commercial trucking will greatly increase the rate of deterioration and significantly increase WYDOT’s and Wyoming taxpayers’ annual maintenance liability. From an engineering perspective deterioration of pavement is not linear but accelerates as its condition declines. Under any current planning scenario maintenance costs for the I-80 corridor could triple within a 15-year planning horizon.

These increased construction and maintenance costs will further accentuate a projected funding gap between the rate of growth in roadway maintenance costs and the rate of politically acceptable growth in revenue from user-based taxes and fees (fuel tax, permits, etc.). This situation is not unique to Wyoming but is shared by Nebraska, Utah and Nevada along the western I-80 corridor.

An alternative solution may exist to address WYDOT’s need for additional I-80 capacity without increasing maintenance liability and the associated costs to Wyoming taxpayers and the federal government. In fact, under this alternative WYDOT’s maintenance liability would significantly decrease. In addition safety could be greatly enhanced and additional public and private sector benefits could be realized.

The vast majority of trucks cross Wyoming with a minimal number of stops. Union Pacific Railroad has double tracks across Wyoming (and is triple tracking in some locations). UP would be performing “hook and haul” services for a private sector entity that would maintain the intermodal transfer infrastructure and relationships with the trucking firms and independent operators. This scenario envisions a specially developed rail-truck intermodal system. This system would include a facility somewhat similar to the facility conceptualized in a current WYDOT-sponsored planning project with the City of Cheyenne. Depending on the opportunity (i.e. costs and benefits), this facility may or may not include breaking down and re-packaging loads.

This system could conceivably take 50-75% of the truck traffic off Wyoming I-80 as well other western I-80 corridor states. If this system proves feasible this concept could spread to other interstate corridors.

Objective of the Project:
This proposed study is to characterize and evaluate the feasibility of an intermodal system. The study will qualify and quantify the costs and benefits of an intermodal system and to whom these costs and benefits accrue.

This study should be framed as an alternative to increasing I-80 capacity to deal with the impacts of major growth in commercial truck traffic. Conceptualization and preliminary evaluation of this alternative will assist WYDOT’s long-term planning.

The proposed study will develop a conceptual model of the intermodal system and analyze:

• potential 20-year savings to WYDOT in reduced reconstruction and maintenance costs by decreasing EASLs 50-75%
• potential decrease in crashes and fatalities directly and indirectly attributable to commercial trucks
• potential productivity gains (cost savings, ability to move freight during inclimate Wyoming winters and winds) and economic impacts
• potential environmental benefits
• potential savings in fuel use
• potential to integrate transcontinental homeland security screening into the system

The study will be divided into two phases. Phase 1 will be a six-month effort to perform preliminary analysis. Phase 1 funding would be provided by the TRB and/or WYDOT. If the results of Phase 1 warrant, Phase 2 will be initiated. Phase 2 will be a more comprehensive development and feasibility analysis of the intermodal system that could be used to develop a business plan and raise private sector funds for construction and operation. Phase 2 is projected to be a 12-18 month effort. Potential funding sources for Phase 2 include: WYDOT, TRB, EPA, DOT, DOE, Nevada DOT, Nebraska DOT, Utah DOT, Union Pacific RR, Trucking Trade Associations and private sector organizations such as Walmart and Roadway.

Project Status: This project is scheduled for completion in May of 2006.

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