Why Use the River?

Water transportation provides tremendous carrying capacity while consuming far less energy compared to other modes of transport such as truck, rail or air. Shippers select barge transportation because these energy efficiencies lead to substantial cost savings. One gallon of fuel can move one ton of cargo 514 miles by barge compared to 202 miles by train and only 59 miles by truck.

Roadway congestion is decreased as freight is transferred to waterways where significant capacity is available without additional infrastructure expenditures. Water transportation stimulates the regional economy through attraction of new industries, jobs and growth in the tax base.

Unit Capacities

A fully loaded covered-hopper barge can carry enough wheat to make almost 2.5 million loaves of bread. That is nearly enough product to provide a loaf of bread to nearly every Kansas resident. A loaded tank barge carrying oil can satisfy the current annual gasoline demand of approximately 2500 people for one full year.

Standard Modal Freight Unit Capacities

Modal Freight Unit	Standard Cargo Capacity
Highway - Truck Trailer	25 Tons
Rail - Bulk Car	110 Tons
Barge - Dry Bulk	1,750 Tons
Barge - Liquid Bulk	27,500 BBL

Cargo Capacity Comparison

Mode of Transport	Units
Trucks	1050
Unit Trains	2
15-Barge Tow	1

Units Needed to Carry Approximately 1750 Short Tons of Dry Cargo

Mode of Transport	Units
Semi-Tractor/Trailer	70
Railcar	16
Barge	1

Units Needed to Carry Approximately 27,500 BBL of Liquid Cargo

Mode of Transport	Units
Semi-Tractor/Trailer	144
Railcar	46
Barge	1

Energy Efficiency

The marine fuel efficiency rates are based on TVA energy consumption data; the railroad efficiency rates are based on an analysis of railroad industry, Surface Transportation Board (STB), and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) data; and truck efficiency rates are based on EPA MOBILE6 data.

Miles Per Gallon Carrying One Ton of Cargo

Mode of Transport	Ton-Miles / Gallon
Truck Freight	155
Railroads	413
Inland Towing	576

Safety Impact

Both rail and truck statistics include incidents involving only vehicular crashes or derailments. However, the waterborne database reports incidents resulting from a wide variety of causes.

Ratio of Fatalities by Mode of Transport

Mode of Transport	Fatalities
Truck Freight	155
Railroads	22.7
Inland Towing	1

Ratio of Injuries by Mode of Transport

Mode of Transport	Injuries
Truck Freight	2171.5
Railroads	125.2
Inland Towing	1

Rate of Spills in GAL/M Ton-Miles (2001-2004 Average)

Mode of Transport	GAL/M Ton-Miles
Truck Freight	6.06 (168%)
Railroads	3.86 (107%)
Inland Towing	3.60