Feasibility of Tube Transportation to Relieve Highway Congestion

摘要

Currently, Texas urban face congestion problems that diminish personal mobilityand freight-transport productivity. The prospect of rural congestion in some highway corridors appears imminent, according to a recent Texas Department of Transportation study. An increasing number of experts suggest that separating freight traffic from passenger traffic makes sense in terms of economics, the environment, and safety. Some experts suggest that freight pipelines are the solution. The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of freight pipelines as a viable model of cargo transport that can alleviate congestion on Texas highways. Specifically, this research employs theoretical and practical methods in: identifying and evaluating transportation corridors amenable to freight pipeline use; identifying, evaluating, and selecting appropriate freight pipeline systems; evaluating the technical, institutional, and economic feasibility of freight pipeline systems; evaluating the technical, institutional, and economic feasibility of freight pipelines on selected corridors; and estimating environmental, energy, and safety benefits.