Traffic Impact of Container Port Operations in the Southwest Region: A Case Study

摘要

With the evolution of containers and growth in intermodalism, recent years haveseen a tremendous growth in international and domestic movement of trade through seaports. Due to increase in port activity, there has been an increase in port traffic. This report involves a case study of two container ports: The Port of Houston's Barbours Cut terminal and the Port of New Orleans Marine Contractors, Inc. (N.O.M.C.); it addresses the impact of container port operations on the urban infrastructure and mobility. The report first presents the methodology used to collect the necessary traffic data using automatic vehicle classification systems. Mathematical models are then developed for the accurate forecasting of the travel demand for use in planning and designing transportation facilities. The results of the analysis provide trip generation rates for both average weekday and peak hour of generator, and they also show the variation in the traffic demand by vehicle types to and from the port. A simulation model is also presented to alleviate traffic congestion at the container terminal gates.