Analysis of Railroad Energy Efficiency in the United States (MPC-13-250)
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MPC Report No. 13-250 Analysis of Railroad Energy Efficiency in the United States Denver Tolliver Pan Lu Douglas Benson Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota May 2013 Disclaimer The contents of this report reflect the work of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Mountain-Plains Consortium in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, public assistance status, sex, sexual orientation, status as a U.S. veteran., race or religion. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 231-7708. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 1 2. BRIEF REVIEW OF RAILWAY ENERGY STUDIES .................................................................................. 3 3. ANALYTICAL MODELS OF RAILROAD FUEL CONSUMPTION .......................................................... 5 3.1 Resistance Forces and Equations .............................................................................................................. 5 3.2 Estimating Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 6 3.2.1 Car and Locomotive Resistance Factors ......................................................................................... 6 3.2.2 Locomotive Requirements ............................................................................................................... 7 3.2.3 Total Train Resistance ..................................................................................................................... 8 3.2.4 Horsepower-Hours and Gallons of Fuel Consumed ........................................................................ 9 3.3 Uniform Train Simulations ....................................................................................................................... 9 3.3.1 Average Train Speeds .................................................................................................................... 10 3.3.2 Train Speed Profile ........................................................................................................................ 10 3.3.3 Fuel Consumed During Acceleration ............................................................................................ 11 3.3.4 Origin-Destination Switching ........................................................................................................ 12 3.3.5 Average Trip Distance and Cycle Length ..................................................................................... 13 3.3.6 Estimated Speeds and Idle Time ................................................................................................... 14 3.3.7 Fuel Consumed During Drayage ................................................................................................... 14 3.3.8 Grade Profile ................................................................................................................................. 15 3.3.9 Predicted Results ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Summary and Limitations of Analytical Method .................................................................................... 17 4. STATISTICAL MODEL OF RAILROAD FUEL CONSUMPTION .......................................................... 19 4.1 Model Formulation ................................................................................................................................. 19 4.1.1 Main Explanatory Variables .......................................................................................................... 19 4.1.2 Model Statement ............................................................................................................................ 20 4.1.3 Time Variable ................................................................................................................................ 21 4.1.4 Regional Variables ........................................................................................................................ 21 4.2 Regression Results .................................................................................................................................. 22 4.2.1 Key Model Properties .................................................................................................................... 22 4.2.2 Parameter Estimates and Standard Errors...................................................................................... 22 4.2.3 Probability Values and Inferences ................................................................................................. 23 4.2.4 Test for Serial Correlation ............................................................................................................. 24 4.3 Model Predictions ................................................................................................................................... 24 4.3.1 Level of Precision .......................................................................................................................... 24 4.3.2 Marginal Estimates Derived from Coefficients ............................................................................. 25 4.3.3 Average Fuel Efficiency Factors ................................................................................................... 25 4.4 Comparisons of Predictions .................................................................................................................... 27 4.4.1 Grain Shipments ............................................................................................................................ 27 4.4.2 Auto Shipments ............................................................................................................................. 27 4.4.3 Coal Shipments .............................................................................................................................. 28 4.4.4 General Inferences ......................................................................................................................... 28 5. NATIONAL ANALYSIS OF RAILROAD FUEL EFFICIENCY ................................................................. 29 5.1 Overview of Waybill Sample .................................................................................................................. 29 5.2 Empty/Loaded Mile Ratios ..................................................................................................................... 29 5.3 Estimation Procedure .............................................................................................................................. 30 5.4 RTM/G Estimates for Major Commodity Movements ........................................................................... 30 5.5 Validation of Modeling Process .............................................................................................................. 31 6. TRUCK FUEL EFFICIENCY MODEL ......................................................................................................... 33 6.1 Variations in Fuel Economy with Speed ................................................................................................. 34 6.2 Empty Truck Miles ................................................................................................................................. 34 6.3 Fuel Attributable to Empty Truck Miles ................................................................................................. 35 7. WATERWAY FUEL EFFICIENCY MODEL ............................................................................................... 37 7.1 Revenue Ton-Miles per Gallon by River System ................................................................................... 37 7.2 Illustrative Waterway Movements .......................................................................................................... 38 8. COMPARISONS OF MODAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY ............................................................................ 39 8.1 Grain ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 8.1.1 Truck-Rail Comparisons................................................................................................................ 39 8.1.2 Rail-River Comparisons ................................................................................................................ 40 8.2 Flour ........................................................................................................................................................ 41 8.3 Ethanol .................................................................................................................................................... 41 8.4 Iron Ore ..................................................................................................................................................