1. North Carolina logistics study
Presentation to the:
AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation
September 13, 2011
George List, PhD, PE
North Carolina State University

2. 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

3. A First Metaphor Factors of production and the economics of the firm
11/20/2018
A First Metaphor
Factors of production and the economics of the firm

4. 11/20/2018
A Second Metaphor
How economies operate

5. In the Nation of This Century

6. And the World

7. 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

8. Short to Long-Term Actions
The State is already taking actions

9. 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 today
Recommendations – Dec 2011

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. The Tiered Network Idea

16. Eastern Part of the State

17. Western Part of the State

18. 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

19. Thank you.
Questions?
Contact information:
George F. List, Professor
(919)
Dept. of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering
North Carolina State University
208 Mann Hall/ 2501 Stinson Road
Campus Mail 7908
Raleigh, NC