RES2025-06: Navigating Possibilities Unlocking Tennessee's Waterways for Interstate Freight Transportation

RES2025-06

The problem of underutilized waterways for freight transportation in Tennessee presents a significant opportunity for the state to realize economic, environmental, and infrastructure benefits (see RES 2023-07). By leveraging its inland waterways and investing in transportation infrastructure, Tennessee can enhance its competitiveness, promote sustainable development, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for its residents and businesses. The focus of the study will be to investigate (i) shippers moving cargo, (ii) the specific cargo class(es) transported, (ii) the current navigable routes by which cargo moves, (iv) the estimated total costs of these cargo movements, (v) challenges encountered in moving cargo on the inland waterways, and (vi) how these waterways can be more effectively utilized for handling identified cargo and commodities. The extent of the problem and the potential benefits for Tennessee are significant, multifaceted, and briefly discussed next. Economic Impact: Tennessee's geographical location positions it as a strategic hub for inter/intra-state commerce. By developing its waterways for freight transportation, the state can capitalize on its central location to facilitate the movement of goods between the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, and potentially other southeastern regions. This can attract businesses seeking efficient transportation routes, expand market access for Tennessee-based industries, as well as connect other industries to Tennessee.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/research/2023-24-25-one-pagers/2025---revised-one-pagers/RES2025-06%20Summary.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $250,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RES2023-06

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Project Managers:

  Pallme, Dan

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Center for Transportation Research
  Conference Center Building
  Knoxville, TN  United States  37996-4133
• Principal Investigators:

  Golias, Mihalis

• Start Date: 20241015
• Expected Completion Date: 20260213
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Accelerating Deployment
• USDOT Program: Accountability
• USDOT Program: Advanced Materials/Structural Safety
• Subprogram: Advanced Materials

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freight transportation; Inland water transportation; Inland waterways; Interstate transportation; Sustainable development
• Geographic Terms: Tennessee
• Subject Areas: Environment; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01942009
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RES2023-06
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 8 2025 3:05PM