Technical Papers
Dec 16, 2013

Railroad Energy Efficiency in the United States: Analytical and Statistical Analysis

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 1

Abstract

This paper provides information about railroad fuel efficiency. Two methods of estimating railroad fuel consumption are demonstrated: (1) an analytical procedure based on train resistance factors, speeds, changes in elevation, and car weights; and (2) a statistical procedure that utilizes observed data. Both procedures are used to estimate the efficiencies of coal, grain, iron ore, and other commodity shipments. The two methods produce similar (but not identical) results. The analytical procedure illustrates the underlying forces that affect fuel efficiency and provides a benchmark for the statistical model.

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References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 140Issue 1January 2014
Pages: 23 - 30

History

Received: May 9, 2013
Accepted: Aug 21, 2013
Published online: Dec 16, 2013
Published in print: Jan 1, 2014
Discussion open until: May 16, 2014

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Authors

Affiliations

Denver Tolliver [email protected]
Director, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State Univ., NDSU Dept. 2880, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050. E-mail: [email protected]
Associate Research Fellow, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State Univ., NDSU Dept. 2880, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Douglas Benson [email protected]
Associate Research Fellow, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State Univ., NDSU Dept. 2880, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050. E-mail: [email protected]

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