Abstract
Keywords - Intermodal, Freight, ITS, Simulation, Handling System
Abstract - This paper addresses the issues faced by local and state governments concerning increasing traffic congestions, inadequate roadway design and traffic safety problems caused by the freight truck traffic; on the other hand, the freight industry is seeking to improve productivity by having easy access and direct routes between the intermodal facilities and the interstate highway system.
The Chicago freight hub has always been a source of congestion and delay. In recent years, the growing volumes of intermodal container traffic have become a notorious problem for the railroads, for the trucking (drayage) industry that moves containers to and from their ultimate origins and destinations, for the local government that must cope with rail crossings and street congestions, and for the public that lives and works within the vicinity of Chicago freight hub area. Much of the delay in the Chicago freight network occurs at the interfaces in the Intermodal system-where the rail meets the truck at the intermodal yard and where the yards meets the local street or urban expressway links-Intermodal connectors; with one third of Americas goods and products moving to, from or through Chicago-the area rail network is crucial to the local, regional and national economy.
An effort was made to study the intermodal freight problems and collect new data for use in several on going projects including the assessment for potential use of CVHAS (Co Operative Vehicle Highway Automation Systems) connecting the multimodal rail freight hub in the city of Chicago and its suburbs.
Underdeveloped is an assessment for a potential automated intermodal freight interchange system connecting the multimodal rail freight hubs located in the city of Chicago and its suburbs. Various potentials for the use of vehicle highway automation technology applications as part of an implementation strategy are in consideration.
VATS simulation software is a unique simulation tool underdevelopment, which is used to assess the various technologies in CVHAS, develop planning protocols for right-of-ways, and demonstrate through interactive graphics the possible solution to the handling of freight.