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SAFETY AND ENVIRIONEMTAL ADVANTAGE OF INLAND WATER TRANSPORTATION BY OLADOKUN SULAIMANBY: OLADOKUN | Category: Travel | Post Date: 2008-12-21
2.8.1 Energy efficiency The use of energy by the different modes of freight transportation has become of increasing concern in setting transportation policy. Energy efficiency is the measure of performance of our system is it structure or mobile Energy efficiency is usually measured in one of two ways: by comparing how many miles each mode of transportation can carry a ton of freight per gallon of fuel, or by how many BTUs are expended per ton mile. In considering the choice of alternative transportation modes, it is imperative to consider energy that will be spent in shifting from one mode to another will result in greater energy consumption by the less fuel-efficient mode. For cargo carriage, vessels is required to move one ton of cargo none mile, with energy efficiency which is the inverse of energy intensiveness Propulsion energy including refinery losses. -Combines operating energy with maintenance energy, vehicle manufacturing energy, and construction energy.. Mode Operating energy LNE - hauled Energy Modal Energy Rail 412.5 706.3 1075 Truck 1312.5 1312.5 2137.5 Barge 262.5 262.5 618.8 Table 2.3- Emission modal comparison Source: [38] Dues to rivers transitory nature, exact comparisons are not always possible. Nevertheless, these concepts provide average indication of different aspects of energy consumption [16]. A congressional office report concluded in the table below that inland water transportation provide by far the most energy efficient transportation compare to other modes of transportation, another study done in 203 by EU concluded with comparative studies within sectors of development that inland water transportation consumes less energy compare to other sectors. Sectors Energy consumption Road 28.3 household 41 Industry 29.4 Rail 0.8 Inland navigation 0.5 Table 2.4 Energy efficiency Source: [14] Numerous studies of fuel efficiency have been done shows that shallow-draft water transportation is the most fuel efficient mode of transportation for moving bulk raw materials, is the least energy intensive method of freight transportation when moving equivalent amounts of cargo, and consumes less energy than alternative modes. The major finding of the CBO study was that, in terms of energy efficiency for different modes of transportation, inland barges were the most efficient [38]. : The Eastman study, CBO and RAND Cooperation concluded that barge transportation to be the most fuel efficient method of moving cargo by barge is economical compare to other transportation mode. Also, an analysis of 12 different studies of rail and water efficiency shows that the average energy expended per revenue ton-mile is 433BTU for water transport and 696BTU for rail transport. Most studies have concluded the energy cost per ton mile for truck is at least four times greater than rail, and five times greater than water transport. The Eastman study shows that the distance one gallon of fuel can move one ton is 59 miles by truck, 202 miles by train, and 514 miles by water (See Figure. 2.3). By truck will travel 59 miles . By rail will travel 202 miles .. By barge 514 miles Figure 2.5 - Energy consumption Source: [38]. The commercial freight transportation sector accounted for high level of consumption that is likely to grow due to an increasing use by this sector. However energy efficiency of barge transportation provides environmental benefits (low air and noise pollution) besides the obvious fuel savings. The future of transportation closely linked to the future of world energy, policies involving both energy and environmental goals should not be developed in isolation. For commercial freight transporters, therefore, conserving energy and concern for the environment are factors that are interrelated because emission itself is solidly linked to power generation and consumption. Consequently, it has a vested interest in conserving energy resources while minimizing environmental problems resulting from its use of petroleum. Also the British Waterways unveil a programme to reduce energy consumption across its activities, including at offices, visitor attractions and maintenance yards along the 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in its care. Likewise new ship design are coming up with new technology while existing ships are attracting retrofitting technology that target low pollution and high efficiency, especial when it has vivid that complete combustion defined efficiency and exhaust release quantity of ship[39]. 2.8.2 Safety Since the consequence of not being safe is environmental catastrophic, modal comparison of transportation system has revealed that water transport has the fewest numbers of incidents, fatalities, and injuries compare to other surface mode. The inland water transportation environment, with its slow transit speeds, is relatively mild, and shock and vibration levels, which are dampened out by the cushioning effect of the waterway itself, are not normally considered a problem. Land based including road and rail cars are susceptible to accidents, often times resulting in a loss of cargo, especially rail transportation are more vulnerable because shipments typically involving a large number of massive units traveling at high speed in a single line. River barges with navigation aid infrastructure ensure right-of-way mostly with pleasure craft that operate primarily both in warmer weather and during daylight hours, and intermodal comparason work recently conducted by waterway foundation [22] Barge transportation operates in a waterway environment that has few crossing junctures and is relatively remote from population centers -- all factors that tend to reduce both the number and severity of casualty incidents. An independent modal safety study of transporting bulk hazardous substances prepared for the Maritime Administration, found that barge spills occur much less often than spills from either tank trucks or tank cars. Several theories help to explain relative spill frequency. The expected number of accidents is directly related to the number of modal units required to transport a certain amount of tonnage [18]. Barges, because of their much larger capacity, require far fewer units than either rail or truck to move an equivalent amount of cargo, Also, and therefore, have proportionately fewer accidents. Design features such as double-hulls, bolted flanges, automatic shutdowns, and various spill containment devices help reduce the likelihood of a spill. Ground work initiated by IMO in transportation industry has enriched other beneficiary with tools need to continue making water transport is significantly safer. Regulatory instrument therefore further reduce the likelihood of spill incidents and collision. Recent legislation that requires new inland tank barges carrying liquid cargoes to be built with a double hull and regulation that capitalize on training [23]. A study by the Maritime Administration found that the relative human exposure index was higher for truck and substantially higher for rail than that for water. In the case of cargoes with special hazards that are shipped by water, exiting IMO STCW mandate that only personnel who completed tanker familiarization course be allowed onboard tank barges, and that they have an understanding of the cargo's hazards, it is important for the barge industry to take an active role in educating pleasure boaters on safely coexisting with commercial vessels through its Lifelines program. 2.8.3 Congestion Pressure relating to technological; change needs and population has led to high demand for road transportation vehicle that has led to un convenient congestion problems and cones, traffic growth in most city of the world is currently outstripped any increase in increase of green house gas release increase, currently hurting our planet. There is currently fringing in infrastructure capacity, where traffic demand exceeds supply leading to delays and safety problems. Negative impacts associated with congestion include restriction of movement of people and goods, wastes valuable energy resources, increases personal trip times, impairs productivity, creates social tension, and damages the environment as well as increase of the probability of accidents that could lead to injuries or deaths. Accidents and environmental damage tend to be most serious as heavily traveled roads through towns and in built-up areas can lead to hazardous situations, restrict free movement, and disrupt community interaction [38]. 2. 8.4 Air, noise and vibration pollution Rise in traffic volumes due to urban population, increase mobility has been identified by recent studies to be main contributors to Noise levels rise and contamination of air quality. Comparative studies has revealed that road transportation is the major offender Road transportation is the major offender more than other mode of transportation. Currently there is limited data exists on noise levels of barge operations, mainly because they are not considered problem. However stronger initiative is being taken by in North America and EU regulation for noise emission limits for all areas of transportation mode. A study by the Engineering Committee of the International Association of Great Lakes Ports calculated that vessels produced peak noises lower than either those produced by a truck operating under normal conditions or by a standing diesel locomotive. [40]. Emission source Tow boat Other transportation Other mode NOx 3297 105932 433637 HC 939 198063 295124 CO 2101 980944 3852753 SOx 462 7887 1234395 Particulate 198 8940 354672 Table 2.6: Annual Emissions for SL Air Quality Source: [41] Since emission is linked to engine combustion, comparative advantage also indicated that water transport consumes much less energy per ton-mile of freight carried than either rail or truck. This factor, combined with the remoteness of the vessel's operating environment from population centers, substantially reduces the impact of its exhaust emissions, Hydrocarbon vapor emissions from tanker ships and barges while loading or unloading petroleum products amount to only about 0.02 percent of all volatile organic emissions nationally. 2.8.5 Social impacts Trucks and trains operate much closer to populated areas and release large amount of pollution and noise to the residence, barges quietly make their way along isolated waterways for most of their trip. By contrast, river barges have little impact on densely-populated areas. Barge transits are relatively infrequent because of the large tonnage moved at one time. River operations take place in channels away from the shore, and the engines of a towboat are usually below the water line, which muffles the sound. Surface traffic, both road and rail, near residential neighborhoods contributes to visual, physical, and psychological barriers that can lead to the fragmentation of those neighborhoods. Reduced social interaction, reduced access to other neighborhoods, and increased traffic congestion Traffic congestion can lead to serious disruptions of police, fire, and medical services, as well as periodic isolation of parts of communities [43]. 2.8.6 Cargo capacity In terms of capacity a study done by COB came up with the following conclusion, which gives inland water a good advantage over other mode of transportation. 2.9 Economic of IWTS The political and economic changes of nation is a big factor that maneuvered and created dynamic emerging economy in and generated needs and perspectives for more trade and transport along the river in Europe and the United States. Such economy analysis and environmental analysis which is being dealt with in this research cold bring assurance to drive the Transport policies that promote modal shift. The making of inland transportation requires economic analyses that identify trade growth consequential rapid rise in the amount of traffic. Compare to other mode of transportation, Inland water Transportation is in comparison to air and road transport, seen as more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, and can therefore contribute to sustainable socio-economic development of the region. Multimodal use of available transport possibilities (road, rail and IWT) has to be ensured. Article Source: http://www.saching.com About Author / Additional Info: Additional Articles: * Personal websites - How to create one? * Retaining the job by putting yourself in your boss shoes. * Effects of introducing foreign products to your country * Is Internet Explorer on life support? * The Beauty Of Koh Samui And Its Exotic Beaches Does this article violate or infringe on your copyright ? It is a violation of our terms for authors to submit content which they did not write and claim it as their own. 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