Abstract

This is a study undertaken on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). There are two main objectives of the Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189): 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 Dow Corning and Varity Dayton Walther Corporation (site #33) as well as the Ghent Generating Station (site #51). These facilities share a route and are therefore discussed in this single report. The facilities are located in Carroll County in the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #6. The location of each site is shown in Figure 1 . Work on other specific sites as well as the freight commodity flow task is ongoing and documented elsewhere.

The sites to be evaluated in this study 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 NHS, and the number of trucks accessing the site. Consideration was also made for the freight type handled and transportation modes used.

The site was visited for video recording on April 8, 1998, and field data were collected on August 5 , 1998. The facilities are located along US 42 north of Carrollton on the Ohio River. The surrounding area is generally rural. Other facilities noted in the area include North American Stainless, Gallatin Terminal Company and Gallatin Steel.

A phone survey was conducted with facility managers early in the study process. The surveys were conducted only with industries in the pre-existing intermodal or truck databases or the major industries observed during the sites visits. While the overall response from industries was very good, in some cases facility managers could not be contacted or did not want to assist with the survey. In order to stay within the resources available for the project not all smaller facilities with lower truck volumes could be contacted. The phone survey found that a total of approximately 180 trucks per day access the sites. The trucks are generally semi tractor trailers with a maximum length of 53 feet. The freight handled at these facilities includes raw materials and steel. The survey respondents indicated that the turning radius from KY 36 onto US 42 is not sufficient for trucks. There were safety concerns due to high traffic speeds on the routes. Other problems noted indicated narrow lane widths and rough pavement. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix A.

Report Date

2-1999

Report Number

KTC-99-25

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1999.25

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