Supporting Secure and Resilient Inland Waterways: A Decision Framework for Evaluating Offloading Capabilities at Terminals during Sudden Catastrophic Closures

摘要

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Infrastructure Protection Program sets forthsector-specific planning objectives for protecting the Nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources (4).In concert with this objective, researchers at the University of Arkansas and Rutgers University aredeveloping a prototype decision support system that integrates geographic information systems (GIS) andfreight movement models to provide a framework for cargo prioritization and offloading during a suddencatastrophic closure of the inland waterways. The project seeks to develop a fundamental understandingof the resiliency of inland waterway transportation systems and the interdependence within and betweentransportation system components to develop a decision system that will allow public and private partiesto respond quickly to catastrophic waterway events.Researchers reviewed public data, published literature, and aerial imagery to ascertain terminalcharacteristics indicative of the potential for transferring cargo from inland waterway to surfacetransportation systems. A preliminary framework for assessing terminal suitability for intermodal transferduring a sudden catastrophic closure was developed. Findings suggest that the commodity specific natureand geographic dispersion of terminals limit offloading operations at certain terminals to their designatedcommercial purpose, while other configurations could allow for the offloading of additional commoditiesat the terminal. Consideration of alternative terminal uses during a sudden catastrophic closure requires adetailed understanding of terminal capabilities, in addition to historical commercial use. An investigationof alternative capabilities should be undertaken at each link in the interdependent inland marine andsurface transportation systems to develop an effective decision making framework.