APPROXIMATION EQUATIONS FOR COSTS OF RAIL, TRAILER-ON-FLATCAR, AND TRUCK INTERCITY FREIGHT SYSTEMS

This paper presents equations that approximate the fully allocated and variable costs contained in the Interstate Commerce Commission cost tables for rail-carload, trailer-on-flatcar, and truck intercity freight movements. These equations were developed to enable the user to approximate the costs quickly and easily. They should be useful in initial studies of costs where the exact values are not needed, such as in consideration of rate changes, studies of profitability, and general intermodal comparisons. The equations were used to develop estimates of cost for complete shipper to receiver shipments via the three carriers to illustrate general properties of the carriers, individually and with respect to one another. /Author/