Book Description

The continued loss of rail network infrastructure and rail service throughout the US has most instances resulted in the modal shift of rail freight back to truck. Rail freight converted to truck may have significant impact on pavement maintenance costs and activities due to the increased highway traffic volumes. This study will investigate three short-line rail routes in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and will determine the potential impacts of diverting rail freight flows to truck. A logistics flow routing will be created illustrating the new truck flows by highway classification and usage. The targeted highways current conditions and asset management techniques will be documented. A pavement maintenance model will be used to determine the incremental pavement maintenance cost per ton-mile if additional freight moved over various classes of highway and their impact on highway funding.