Estimating the CO2 intensity of intermodal freight transportation

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Vol. 22; pp. 49 - 53
• Main Authors: Craig, Anthony J., Blanco, Edgar E., Sheffi, Yossi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01.07.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Carbon intensity; Combined transportation; Exact sciences and technology; Greenhouse gas emissions; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Intermodal freight transport; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Transports; United States; North America; America; Intermodal freight transport; Carbon intensity; Greenhouse gas emissions; Performance evaluation; Gas emission; Greenhouse gas; Environment impact; Intensity; Carbon dioxide; Intermodal transportation; Freight transportation
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2013.02.016

•Data from more than 400,000 intermodal movements is analyzed.•The average CO2 intensity of intermodal freight is estimated at 67g CO2/ton-mile.•The market area concept is used to explain the variance in intensity between lanes. This paper looks at the environmental effects of shifting from road to rail freight transportation. Little data is available to shippers to calculate the potential CO2 savings of an intermodal shift. In this paper we analyze a data set of more than 400,000 intermodal shipments to calculate the CO2 intensity of intermodal transportation as a distinct mode. Our results indicate an average intensity of 67g of CO2 per ton-mile, but can vary between 29 and 220g of CO2 per ton-mile depending on the specific origin–destination lane. We apply the market area concept to explain the variance between individual lane intensities and demonstrate the complexity in predicting the potential carbon savings in a switch from truckload to intermodal.