This paper presents an energy and environmental network analysis model to explore tradeoffs associated with freight transport. The geospatial model uses an intermodal network built by the authors to connect various modes (rail, road, water) via intermodal terminals. Routes along the network are characterized not only by temporal and distance attributes, but also by cost, energy, and emissions attributes (including emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and oxides of nitrogen). Decision-makers can use the model to explore tradeoffs among alternative route selection across different modal combinations, and to identify optimal routes for objectives that feature energy and environmental parameters (e.g., minimize carbon dioxide emissions). The model is demonstrated with three case studies of freight transport along the U.S. eastern seaboard. INTRODUCTIONEnergy use and emissions from freight transport are increasing at a more rapid rate than other types of transportation. In the United States in 2005, freight transport accounted for approximately 6800 trillion Btu (TBtu) of energy consumption, representing 25.7% of total nonmilitary transportation energy use. This consumption is expected to increase at an average rate of 1.8% per annum (compared with 1.4% for the transportation sector as a whole and compared with 1.1% for the electric utility sector). As such, by 2030 energy consumption from freight transport is expected to grow by almost 60% to 10,850 TBtu, representing 28.6% of total transportation energy use. 1 Along with this increase in energy consumption are concomitant and problematic increases in petroleum consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other pollutants.One way to address these trends is through careful consideration of routes along an intermodal freight system. 2 Route selection based on environmental or energy criteria could help identify energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable ways to move freight throughout the United States and abroad. By identifying these opportunities, policymakers would have critical data to inform regulatory and/or policy decisions that might provide incentives for shippers to meet both private (profit-maximizing) and public goals.The purpose of this paper is to present a geospatial intermodal transportation network analysis model that

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This paper applies a geospatial network optimization model to explore environmental, economic, and time-of-delivery tradeoffs associated with the application of marine vessels as substitutes for heavy-duty trucks operating in the Great Lakes region. The geospatial model integrates U.S. and Canadian highway, rail, and waterway networks to create an intermodal network and characterizes this network using temporal, economic, and environmental attributes (including emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides). A case study evaluates tradeoffs associated with containerized traffic flow in the Great Lakes region, demonstrating how choice of freight mode affects the environmental performance of movement of goods. These results suggest opportunities to improve the environmental performance of freight transport through infrastructure development, technology implementation, and economic incentives.

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