The Cost Structure of Intermodal Transportation: The Chilean Case

Authors: Mabel A. Leva

Abstract:

This study defines a methodology to compute unitary costs for freight transportation modes. The main objective was to gather relevant costs data to support the formulation and evaluation of railway, road, pipelines and port projects. This article will concentrate on the following steps: Compilation and analysis of relevant modal cost studies, Methodological adjustments to make cost figures comparable between studies, Definition of typology and scope of transportation modes, Analysis and validation of cost values for relevant freight transportation modes in Chile. In order to define the comparison methodology for the costs between the different transportation modes, it was necessary to consider that the relevant cost depends on who performs the comparison. Thus, for the transportation user (e.g. exporter) the pertinent costs are the mode tariffs, whereas from the operators perspective (e.g. rail manager), the pertinent costs are the operating costs of each mode.

Keywords: Intermodal costs, Logistics, Transportation costs.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1335848

References:

[1] KOM International, “Consultoríapara la elaboración de propuestasparaelevar la competitividadLogística en los clusters de acuicultura, fruticultura y alimentosprocesados”, Consejo de Innovación de Chile, 2010.
[2] CIPRES Ingeniería Ltda., “Análisiseconómico del transporte de carganacional”,Subsecretaría de Transportes de Chile, 2009.
[3] CITRA Ltda., “Análisis y mejoramiento de la competitividad en el transporteinternacional de carga”, Subsecretaría de Transportes de Chile, 2008.
[4] Ministerio de Fomento, “Observatorio de costes del transporte de mercancíasporcarretera”, España, 2010.
[5] V. Rallo, “Costes del Transporte de mercancíasporferrocarril”, Fundación de FerrocarrilesEspañoles, 2008.
[6] APTECH Engineering (Alberta) Ltda., “Pipeline cost analysis”, Oleoductos de CrudosPesados Ecuador S.A, 2009.
[7] C. B. Cox, “Comparing the studies of a coal slurry pipeline”, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Special Report No. 17, 1983.
[8] Libra, “Estudio de diagnósticodel modo de transporteferroviario”, Subsecretaría de Transportes de Chile, 2007.
[9] CIMA, “Diagnóstico del transportemarítimo”, Subsecretaría de Transportes de Chile, 2008.
[10] Steer Davies Gleave, “Análisis de costos y competitividad de modos de transporteterrestre de cargainterurbana”, Subsecretaría de Transportes de Chile, 2011.