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 the Norfolk Southern Rail Intermodal Terminal located in Jefferson County in the KIPDA Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #5. The location of the 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 23, 1998 and for data collection on September 29, 1998. The facility is located at 4705 Jennings Lane in Louisville. As shown in Figure 2, the surrounding area is urban and primarily industrial near the site. The Louisville Produce Terminal is another truck trip generator in the immediate vicinity. A phone survey was conducted with the facility manager of the rail terminal early in the study process. The survey found that between 200 and 300 trucks per day normally access the site with significantly higher numbers (up to 400) in the peak season (summer to mid-fall). Truck traffic was reported to peak between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The trucks are generally 40-foot semi trailers; however, 53-foot trailers also access the site. The phone survey indicated general freight was handled at this facility. The only problem mentioned in the survey was a poor state of repair on a section not on the main route to this site. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix A.

Report Date

5-1999

Report Number

KTC-99-33

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1999.33

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