IMPACT OF COAL TRAIN MOVEMENT ON STREET TRAFFIC FLOWS: A CASE STUDY.

The impact of increased train movements through the city of Wilmington, North Carolina, on street traffic flows is evaluated. A comprehensive analysis involved a computer simulation of the city traffic flows based on traffic counts and other street geometric parameters secured by the Wilmington planning department. Sixteen critical railroad and street intersections plus major feeder streets were investigated in detail against three scenarios of train operations. These scenarios took into account train speeds, train lengths, and operating frequencies to transport an estimated 9 million tons of coal annually. Hourly delay figures were derived from the computer simulation runs, and total daily hours of vehicle delays were estimated. It was found that if unit trains are placed on the Belt Line, 453 to 730 vehicle-hr of delay daily will be added to the existing traffic-flow conditions depending on train speeds, lengths, and frequencies tested in the operating scenario. An estimate of public costs due to increased driving times for motorists was made. The result of the traffic simulations indicated a substantial yearly cost in vehicle delays to the public and that the speed of the trains is critical to minimizing delays in the traffic network.