Energy Use and Pollutant Emissions Impacts of Shortline Railroad Abandonment

Michael W. Babcock and James L. Bunch

Research in Transportation Economics, 2007, vol. 20, issue 1, 225-257

Abstract: Railroad abandonment has potential negative effects especially in rural areas that rely on railroads for outbound and inbound shipments. The objectives of the study are (1) to develop a model that can measure wheat transport modal ton-mile shifts, (2) measure modal energy use changes, and (3) measure the modal emissions changes resulting from hypothetical shortline railroad abandonment. Total ton-miles are about the same in the simulated shortline abandonment and no shortline abandonment cases, with the abandonment scenario generating 2% fewer ton-miles. Total energy consumption is nearly identical in the two scenarios; 2.1% higher in the shortline abandonment case. Grand total emissions are 1.4% lower in the scenario that does not include shortlines in the logistics system.

Date: 2007
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