EFFECT OF UNIT-TRAIN GRAIN SHIPMENTS ON RURAL NEBRASKA ROADS

The unit-train concept has altered the rural pricing structure for grains and consequently encouraged longer-distance truck transportation in larger-sized lots by producers and rural elevators over the 1975-1980 period. Annual data on grain production, livestock consumption, and storage capacity were obtained from Nebraska Agricultural Statistics. Primary data on truck receipts were collected by interview with the managers of 86 unit-train shippers across the state. A computer model was developed to calculate the total ton miles of producer transport of grains within the elevator's trade area for each district as well as ton miles of interelevator transfer. Nebraska producers in 1980 transported 71 percent more ton miles delivering grain to commercial elevators than in 1975. Combined with the growth in interelevator grain transfers by truck, the annual ton miles of rural truck transport of grains in 1980 was nearly double the 1975 level. The investment required to maintain and upgrade the rural road system is not independent of changes in other sectors of the total U.S. transportation system. The increased use of unit-trains has precipitated an increase in the ton miles of grain hauled over low-volume roads as well as an increase in the weight per axle and a subsequent increase in stress on rural roads and ridges. (Author)