Abstract

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98- 189) is being conducted by the Kentucky Transportation Center on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). There are two major objectives of the study: evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS); and furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for a facility located in Hopkins County in the Pennyrile Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #2. The location of the site is shown in Figure 1. Work on other sites as well as the freight commodity flow task is on-going and is documented elsewhere.

The sites to be evaluated were selected from two existing databases (a truck facility survey from 1994 and the intermodal facility inventory) based on ADD and KYTC Highway District planner recommendations, geographic location, distance to the national highway system, and the number of trucks accessing the site. Consideration was also made for the freight type handled and transportation modes used. The Centennial Resources facility was recommended by KYTC District 2. The facility is located along US 62 in Hopkins County between Dawson Springs and Nortonville.

The site was visited several times for data collection and video recording. The original survey of site layout and facility identification was done on January 15, 1998. Photographs and video were taken on that day. Additional data collection was conducted on July 8, September 28, and November 5, 1998. This is a coal facility with the entrance signs noting permits for Centennial Resources, Inc. and B. Four, Inc. of Madisonville. The surrounding area is rural.

A phone survey with the facility manager was conducted as part of the study. The trucks per day using the facility is seasonal, based on demand and could range from 10 to 100. The coal is mostly hauled to the TV A Drakesboro plant. A 1998 KYTC volume count indicates a traffic volume of about 2,300 with slightly over 300 trucks trucks per day along US 4 1. The percentage of heavy trucks was estimated as about 14 percent. The site trucks are generally semi tractor trailers with a maximum trailer length of 32 feet. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix A.

Report Date

2-1999

Report Number

KTC-99-11

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1999.11

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