Transportation Impacts of the Chicago River Closure to Prevent an Asian Carp Infestation

Authors

Aaron Strong Ph.D., University of Iowa
Nikhil Sikka Ph.D., University of Iowa
Lindsay Salvatore Ph.D., University of Iowa

Date of this Version

2012

Document Type

Article

Citation

Report # MATC-UI: 477 Final Report 25-1121-0001-477

Comments

2012 Copyright of Mid-America Transportation Center

Abstract

This project develops a simple linear programming model of the Upper Midwest regions rail transportation network to test whether a closure of the Chicago River to freight traffic would impact the capacity constraint of the rail system. The result suggest that the rail network in the Upper Midwest regions are nowhere near approaching capacity and that a closure would have little impact on the rail network. Two noteworthy sets of commodities may be adversely affected, cereal grains and other agricultural product and gravel and crushed stone.