Container/Trailer on Flatcar in Intermodal Service on Montana's Railway Mainlines

摘要

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of intermodal freight service in Montana with respect to the potential demand for such service, obstacles to its implementation, and incentives that might be appropriate to promote it. Study activities consisted of (a) review of relevant research and existing intermodal operations; (b) survey of potential users relative to their needs and degree of interest in intermodal service; (c) interviews with the various stakeholders involved in providing such service; (d) network-level assessment of container demand across the state; (e) identification of programs that support establishing intermodal service; and finally, (f) assessment of the overall feasibility of establishing more extensive intermodal service than is currently available in the state. It was generally concluded that at the estimated level of container demand statewide, establishing container service would be difficult within the intermodal operations model currently being used by rail carriers. That being said, economic and logistics conditions do change, which could result in new intermodal service opportunities.