Inland Ports: Case Study 2 – Economic Characteristics and Stakeholder Involvement

The literature and investigation of information and data for US Inland Ports is lacking. Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness cannot be assessed, measured or increased without extensive foundational information and data about the functioning of US Inland Ports. The objective of this research project is to capture and report publicly available data to evaluate the sustainability and economic strength of inland ports. Because these ports transport goods from international origins and are often linked with a deep-water port, inland ports may be in a position to increase global competitiveness. The proposed case study of Inland Ports in Cycle 2 is structured to add depth to the findings of the Cycle 1 project by specifically focusing on the economic contributions of the Inland Ports to the geographic locations where they are housed and ancillary benefits to the larger community. This Cycle 2 project will also describe and delineate stakeholders and community involvement in the functioning of the Inland Port. The stakeholder/community element will include an examination of the workforce required for operation at the Inland Ports. The work will define relevant economic data points for collection of the Case Study Ports. It is anticipated that economic effects will be assessed by proximity to the port location and for a peripheral site in the larger community. The economic contribution to the locale in an aggregate way will also be examined. Further, the Cycle 2 project will seek to determine the extent and role of stakeholders with interest in port operation. The number and traits of employees will be compiled as part of this study element. The case study ports from Cycle 1 will constitute this deeper investigation into the economic and stakeholder contributions to the success/competitiveness of the inland ports. The Advisory Group established during Cycle 1 will continue to give guidance to the research data and information drawn. Several tasks are planned to complete the work as follows. Task 1: Develop economic impact assessment template to provide insights into revenue generated by the Inland Port from the freight and logistics perspective and to the region overall. The boundaries will include the areas proximate to the port and the local economic impact on the region. Included in the economic assessment will be a component about the workforce and worker incomes. Task 2: Differentiate between direct and indirect effects. The study will seek to designate those economic components, such as employment wages constituting a direct effect compared to how generated employment wages are spent resulting in an indirect response. Also, the link to the closest feeder port and impact on intraregional goods distribution will be considered. Task 3: Seek an economic model most appropriate to calculate outcomes from the data points. There are several economic models available. This work will review options and identify which seems most appropriate for the outcomes described in Task 2. Task 4: Collect data and information to complete the economic template and model. Task 5: Synthesize data from Task 4 above with an eye to reflect on the impact of the inland port on the economy. Task 6: Compile report and information documents. Task 7: Implement Technology Transfer activities and distribute findings.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.sptc.org/cy2-tsu-01

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $72,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  CY2-TSU-01

  69A3552348306

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Southern Plains Transportation Center

  University of Oklahoma
  202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
  Norman, OK  United States  73019
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas Southern University, Houston

  3100 Cleburne Street
  Houston, TX  United States  77004
• Principal Investigators:

  Lewis, Carol

  Goodwin, Gwendolyn

• Start Date: 20241001
• Expected Completion Date: 20250930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic impacts; Employment; River ports; Stakeholders
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01941684
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: CY2-TSU-01, 69A3552348306
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 1 2025 4:22PM