Valuing Monitoring Networks for Invasive Species: The Case of Soybean Rust

Crop Production/Industries,

A Methodology for Evaluating Large Truck Access to Intermodal and Other Facilities

In a recent project for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), researchers were tasked with developing a method to objectively evaluate the access for large trucks between intermodal or other truck traffic generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS). The routes evaluated were the actual roadway segments used by large volumes of trucks traveling between the intermodal or other facilities and the NHS. This choice to evaluate specific heavily used roadway segments, as opposed to evaluating an entire highway or roadway corridor was based on the recommendation of the state-wide Intermodal Advisory Panel which advised the Cabinet on intermodal issues. This allowed researchers to identify and focus on the actual problems being experienced by the truck traffic, even when the routes included segments of many different highways and jurisdictions. Part of this study included the development of objective measures that could be used for comparing and prioritizing problem sections. This paper documents the methodology that was developed and is currently being used to evaluate routes to 50 truck trip generators throughout Kentucky. The procedure begins with a telephone survey with site operators/managers to identify problems along the route. Each route is evaluated with respect to three types of features: subjective, point and continuous. The rankings of each point and continuous element into the categories of preferred , adequate , and less than adequate is converted to a relative urgency rating by assigning relative weights for truck volume and section length. Point and subjective features are identified for spot improvements where appropriate. Finally, the research team grades the overall route on a subjective scale of 1 to 10

Truck Route Access Evaluation: United Parcel Service, Standiford Field Louisville Airport, and Ford Motor Company, Louisville, Site #6

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): 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS); and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for the areas around the Standiford Field Louisville Airport. This includes two large generators off of Fern Valley Road: Ford Motor Company and the United Parcel Service. These sites are located in Jefferson County in the KlPDA Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #5. The location of the site and routes is shown in Figure 1. Smaller industries to the west of the airport field along Crittendon Avenue include Akzo Nobel Trucking, General Electric Supply, KT Shannon Lumber Company, Airside Commerce Center, United Catalyst Incorporated, and Rapid Runner Warehousing. Work on other specific sites throughout Kentucky 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 November 21, 1998, data collection on September 29, 1998 and intersection traffic counts on December 15, 1998. The facilities are located south of I-264 and west of I-65 in Louisville either on or adjacent to the airport facility. The surrounding area is generally urban and fairly commercial / industrial. A phone survey was conducted with a UPS facility manager early in the study process. The survey found that approximately 150 trucks per day normally access the site with as many as 400 in the peak of the year. The most common truck is a 28-foot drop van but trucks as large as 53-foot semi-trailers also access the site. No traffic congestion problems were raised. Attempts to contact other large truck generators in the area were unsuccessful. The phone survey is in Appendix A

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Plum Springs Industrial Site, Warren County, Site #2575

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189), undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), has two main objectives. These objectives include the evaluation of 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 one cluster of facilities located in Warren County in the Barren River Area Development District (ADD) and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Highway District #3. The location of the site is shown in Figure I. Work on other specific sites as well as the freight commodity flow task are on-going and are documented elsewhere. The sites to be evaluated in this project were selected from two existing databases (a truck facility survey from 1994 and the intermodal facility inventory) based on ADD and KYTC 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. This particular site was visited several times for data collection on May 13 1998 and for video recordings on January 28, 1998. Traffic counts were taken at two intersection on June 1, 1998. Aerial photographs of the area can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. The following facilities are located in the area: Bowling Green Concrete, Trace Die Cast, Nyloncraft of Kentucky, American Freightways, Vanmeter Contracting, Woodwork ofMidAmerica, Roadway, Top Drawer Manufacturing, Pepsi, Rapid Parcel Service, and Building Systems and Acoustics Incorporated. Some of these facilities are located west of Plum Springs Loop on Graham Street (approximately 0.2 miles from US 31W and Plum Springs Loop) or Commerce Street (approximately 0.9 miles from US 31 W and Plum Springs Loop), and others are located directly on Plum Springs Loop. Phone surveys were completed on three of the area facilities that were considered to have the highest volume of truck traffic. These facilities indicated that approximately 100 trucks per day (200-one way trips) are accessing the area as a result of their daily operations. From observation during the various site visits, the total number of trucks utilizing the route (from all the facilities) is only slightly higher as many of the other facilities have only 1 – 2 trucks per day

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Logan Aluminum Russellville - Logan County, Site #2657

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. There are two main objectives of the study: 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for a facility located in Logan County in the Barren River Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District# 3. 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 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. This site is located on US 431 in Logan County. The National Highway System route serving the area is US 68 shown in Figure 1. A phone survey was conducted with the facility truck routing personnel early in the study process. The site was visited on October 26, 1998 for data collection and December 5, 1998 for video recording. The only facility in the area is Logan Aluminum located on US 431 north of Russellville. The approximate location is also shown in Figure 1. The surrounding area is generally rural and agricultural. The phone survey found approximately 200 trucks per day accessing this site (in and out), while HIS data indicates 720 trucks per day travel along US 431. The site trucks are generally flatbed truck 45-48 feet in length. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix B. A concern mentioned in the phone survey was the absence of a southern bypass around Russellville. The Six Year Highway Plan includes the design for construction of a southern bypass. Also included in the Six Year Highway Plan is a project to widen a section of US 431 from near Logan Aluminum to north of the Russellville Bypass

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Tyson Foods, Henderson County, Site #2684

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

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Bullitt County Stone, Shepherdsville, Site #2031

This is a study undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center 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 Bullitt County Stone facility located in Bullitt 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 February 18, 1998. The field data were collected on September 1 and October 13, 1998. The facility is located on KY 1526 approximately 4 miles northeast of Shepherdsville. A phone survey was conducted with facility managers early in the study process. The phone survey conducted with Bullitt County Stone found that approximately 180 trucks per day access the site. The most common truck is a triaxle with the largest being a 48-foot semitrailer. The freight handled at this facility is primarily stone. The survey respondent did not indicate any problems along this route, and it was noted that a new bypass has alleviated some problems. The phone survey information can be found in Appendix A

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Millard Processing, Nelse, Site #1677

This is a study undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center 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 Millard Processing located in Pike County in the Big Sandy Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #12. 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. A second facility using part of the same route is located on KY 1441 east of KY 1789. The site was visited for video recording on March 5, 1998, and the field data were collected on August 25, 1998. The facility is located on Nelse Hill Road west of US 460/K.Y 80, which is part of the NHS. The surrounding area is generally rural. A phone survey was conducted with facility managers early in the study process. The survey with Millard Processing found that approximately 200 trucks per day normally access the site. The trucks are generally triaxles or 36-foot semitrailers. The primary freight handled at this facility is coal. The survey respondent did not indicate any problems along the route. The survey can be found in Appendix A

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Willamette Industries, Hancock County, Site #2659

The Freight Movement and lntermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189), undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), has two main objectives. These objectives include 1) the evaluation of access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for one facility located in Hancock County in the Green River Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) 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 are on-going and are 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 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 facility for study is Willamette Industries east of Hawesville, and the initial trip to the site revealed that there were no other significant sources of truck traffic in the vicinity. The site was visited for videotaping on July 6, 1998 and the site visit for data collection was on August 14, 1998. Early into the study process, phone surveys were conducted so that the facility manager could identify the truck routes and access problems. The phone survey completed for the facility, which is located in Appendix A, found that approximately 200 trucks per day (400 one-way trips) are accessing the facility. The most common size truck is a 48-foot semi-trailer

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Fulton County, Hickman Riverport Area, Site No. 16

There are two main objectives of the Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189) that is being undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC): 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS); and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for one cluster of facilities located in Fulton county in the Purchase Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #1. The location of the site in the town of Hickman is shown in Figure 1. Work on other specific sites as well as the freight commodity flow task are on-going and are 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. This cluster of facilities comprises the Hickman riverport area on the Mississippi River. It includes Continental Grain Company Dock, Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority and the Bunge Corporation (Hickman Grain Elevator). The first two sites are shown in Figure 2. The third site is to the left of the picture edge (west). These sites were recommended for study by the KYTC Division of Transportation Planning on the recommendation of the Western Kentucky Development Corporation. The site was visited July 7, 1998 for video taping and July 17, 1998 for data collection and field evaluation. A phone survey was conducted with facility managers early in the study before site work. Surveys were completed with the Hickman-Fulton Riverport Authority and the Continental Grain Company but repeated attempts to contact the Bunge Corporation failed. Survey responses can be found in Appendix A. Between the two facilities contacted 75 trucks per day (150 two way truck trips) access the riverport area. The managers indicated the commodities handled consisted of grains, steel, sand, fertilizer and coke. Truck traffic is relatively constant throughout the day and year, although one manager referred to backups during the harvest season between July and October. These backups are a result of delays in weighing and processing the trucks at the port facilities rather than a particular deficiency in road capacity or conditions. The largest truck accessing the area was indicated as a 45 foot semi tractor trailer. Given that 45 feet is not a common length of trucks, calculations in this report used a 48 foot length. The managers at Continental Grain indicated the common truck accessing their facility was smaller, only 34 to 36 feet in length