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North Carolina logistics study. Presentation to the: AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation September 13, 2011 George List, PhD, PE North Carolina State University. Overall Vision. Infrastructure Economic Development Historically, infrastructure was about
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North Carolina logistics study Presentation to the: AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation September 13, 2011 George List, PhD, PE North Carolina State University
Overall Vision • Infrastructure Economic Development • Historically, infrastructure was about • Commerce, not personal transport • So we are returning to our roots • Coordinated Logistics Planning • Transportation and Commerce • State and local governments • Statewide Logistics Planning and Decision-making • Staging - game plan and play book • Overall Vision • Strategic infrastructure investment • Master planning for land-use • Engagement of businesses – new and old • Public / private partnerships
A First Metaphor Factors of production and the economics of the firm
A Second Metaphor How economies operate
2008: Statewide Logistics Plan • Response to legislative mandate • Created a blueprint for further refinement of logistics plans and planning • Findings • Improve collaboration between Commerce and Transportation • Create a clearer and higher level interface between state government and private sector concerns in logistics • Engage in short-, medium- and long-term actions • Create a Logistics Board - small staff, report to governor, have an ability to get and spend $$$, speak for NC
Short to Long-Term Actions The State is already taking actions
Now: Governor’s Logistics Task Force • 12/9/2009 – Executive Order 32 – created Task Force • Sep 2010 to May 2011 – meetings around the state • Jun 2011 to Dec 2011 – Task Force deliberations • Sep 2011 - today • Recommendations – Dec 2011
Activities and Organization • Considering what to do next • Tightly linked to the future of the state • Subcommittees • Governance, Best Practices, Regional Hub Design, Commerce • Our role – examine strategies the state might pursue • Understand state’s role as an actor • See how to partner with the private sector (meet expectations) • See how to relate infrastructure to economic sectors • Discern region-specific ideas and mode-specific needs • Develop integrative ideas (regions and modes) • Work is still underway (target => December 2011) • No conclusions, no recommendations, just ideas and observations
Shaping Ideas • Economic sectors • Logistics villages (physical and virtual) • Local worldwide access • One-stop shopping …. Logistics Authority • Demand pull / Supply push / strategic investments • Provide facilitating resources • Internet, education, water, sewer, power, …… • Make strategic investments
Rail Context • Bridge state (especially north-south) • Limited railroad presence • Major truck lines, but • Medium size classification yards and intermodal facilities (the new intermodal facility in Charlotte will change this) • Two ports (Wilmington and Morehead City), both served by only one Class 1 railroad (CSX and NS respectively) • North Carolina Railroad • High-speed rail initiatives, right-of-way preservation, state ownership of rights-of-way • Active ensemble of short line railroads
We See That ….. • Rail is important to future economic prosperity • Better and more affordable service would be helpful • NC traffic is of limited interest to the Class 1 railroads • The importance of short lines is likely to increase • NCRR is a significant asset • Connectivity is relatively good • Some missing links and wye connections • Capacity might be a challenge • Single track main lines, local yards, tonnage ratings • Port access is through built-up areas • Synergy between passenger and freight should be possible
Rail-Related Ideas – You could…… • Focus investments around a tiered view of the network. • Arrange for more and better competitive rail service. • Make more extensive use of the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR). • Seek greater accessibility, higher capacity, better competitive rates, shorter lengths of haul, and more frequent service. • Grow the ensemble of short lines. • Have NCDOT play a greater role in rail network planning and service for both freight and passenger services. • Work with the Class 1 railroads to find win-win solutions. • Support both intrastate and interstate commerce and • passenger travel.
Concluding Thoughts • Work in process • Shaping the future destiny of the state • Ascertaining the state’s best role to play • Tying infrastructure investments to economic growth • Ascertaining the role of rail • Charting a course • Finding partners • Creating the right legislation, regulation, and governmental organizational structure
Thank you. • Questions? • Contact information: George F. List, Professor gflist@ncsu.edu, (919) 515-8038 Dept. of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering • North Carolina State University 208 Mann Hall/ 2501 Stinson Road Campus Mail 7908 Raleigh, NC 27695-7908