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 several facilities located in Henderson County in the Green River Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #2. The location of the site is shown in Figure 1. Work on other specific 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 Henderson County Tyson Foods site was recommended by KYTC District 2.

The Tyson Foods site was originally visited on February 27, 1998 for the initial site visit, facility identification, photographs, and videotaping. Field data collection was taken on three additional dates (July 9, September 29, and November 5, 1998). The site is located in a rural area of Henderson County south of Henderson and north of Sebree.

A phone survey of the facility manager was conducted early in the study process. The phone survey indicated at least 120 trucks per day entering and leaving the facility. Traffic counts for a 24-hour period taken in 1998 by KYTC found 538 trucks (7.2 percent of all vehicles) on US 41 at a location several miles north of the facility and 1,276 trucks (21.9 percent of all vehicles) on US 41 at a location within two miles south of the facility. A count on KY 56, near US 41, found 780 trucks (20.4 percent of all vehicles). These truck volumes would include trucks using other facilities. Truck volume counts were not available for some of the other routes used. The site trucks are generally semi tractor trailers five axle trucks with a maximum 48-foot trailer. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix A.

Report Date

2-1999

Report Number

KTC-99-19

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1999.19

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