Abstract Inland waterway use for freight transport presents significant environmental benefitscompared to other transportation modes, contributing to sustainability, and reduced ecological impact. Despite the United States' well-developed inland waterways system, a significant portion remains underutilized. This proposal aims to address the challenges hindering the full potential of inland waterway freight transport and realize its environmental advantages. The research approach involves a combination of in-depth interviews and surveys to comprehensively explore the barriers to adoption and collaboration strategies that can lead to prioritized investments in infrastructure, enhanced intermodal connectivity, and awareness about the environmental benefits and long-term sustainability of water transportation. The recruitment of participants will be achieved through a two-fold strategy. Firstly, online outreach and professional networks will be leveraged to engage relevant stakeholders, including professionals from shippers, manufacturing, supply chain, and government agencies. Secondly, a snowball sampling and referral approach will be implemented, starting with initial participants who will refer other colleagues and contacts within their networks, thereby expanding the participant pool and accessing diverse perspectives. The expected deliverables include a comprehensive literature review on inland waterway freight transport, identifying trends, innovations, and challenges in the field. A final synthesis report will present the research findings, including methodology, results, and recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and industry players. A white paper will summarize the research outcomes in accessible language for the general public, highlighting the environmental benefits and the potential positive impacts of waterway transportation on local communities and the economy.
Description This project seeks to conduct research to increase the use of inland waterways for freight transport in the United States. The PIs will conduct research with relevant stakeholders to identify barriers for adoption, as well as collaboration strategies that can lead to prioritized investments in infrastructure, enhanced intermodal connectivity, and raising awareness about the environmental benefits and long-term sustainability of water transportation. This project will lay the foundation for the development of advanced optimization and simulation methodologies that can design the inter-modal transportation system while simultaneously optimizing multiple performance metrics of cost, lead time, accessibility, capacity/payload, sustainability, and resilience.
Objective "Task 1: Literature Review
The team will conduct an extensive literature review about inland waterway freight transport. This review will encompass academic journals, industry publications, government reports, and relevant case studies. The aim is to build a solid theoretical foundation, identify knowledge gaps, and understand the existing challenges faced by the industry.
Task 2: In-Depth Interviews
In-depth interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, shipping companies, logistics providers, environmental organizations, and other relevant entities. These semi-structured interviews will allow open-ended discussions to explore participants' experiences, perspectives, and insights.
Task 3: Survey Development
Based on the findings from the literature review and in-depth interviews, a comprehensive survey will be developed. The survey will include a mix of closed-ended and open-ended questions addressing aspects of inland waterway freight transport, its advantages, challenges, and potential improvements.
Task 4: Survey Distribution
The survey will be distributed to diverse stakeholders involved in the freight transportation industry, including shippers, port operators, transportation planners, and policymakers. The distribution will be conducted using online platforms and direct outreach to ensure comprehensive and representative participation, as described in Section E.4.
Task 5: Data Analysis
Data collected from in-depth interviews and surveys will be carefully analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative interview data will be transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed to identify patterns, themes, and emergent insights. The quantitative data from surveys will be subjected to statistical analysis to derive meaningful conclusions.
Task 6: Synthesis and Final Report
The findings from the data analysis will be synthesized to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of inland waterway freight transport, the challenges faced, and the potential opportunities for improvement. The results will be presented clearly and coherently, supported by relevant charts, graphs, and illustrative examples. Based on the findings, the team research will produce evidence-based recommendations for stakeholders, policymakers, and industry players to enhance the use of inland waterways for freight transport. These recommendations will address critical challenges and offer actionable insights for fostering sustainable and efficient inland waterway transportation practices."
Impacts/Benefits The outcomes of this research will have significant broader impacts related to the potential for benefits derived from increased use of inland waterways for freight transport. The shift of cargoes to this mode of transport can lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to other modes of transportation like road and air. Moreover, Improving the efficiency and capacity of inland waterway transport can boost economic development in regions with navigable waterways. Region 7, with its strategic location, is poised to reap these benefits. Finally, this research can inform infrastructure investment decisions. This research will provide recommendations for stakeholders on the optimal allocation of resources for developing and maintaining waterway infrastructure, which can lead to job creation and economic growth. Overall, this research will offer valuable insights and solutions to some pressing challenges faced by the transportation industry, society, and the environment. This research can contribute to a more resilient, environmentally responsible, and economically prosperous future by supporting sustainable and efficient freight transportation.