Research in Transportation Economics· 2026Q1
Rail or river rivalry? Intermodal transportation of grain through Mississippi Corridors from 2002 to 2013
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Strong rail-barge competition for U.S. grain exists in specific Mississippi corridors, but its viability depends on shipper distance and grain type.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Intermodal competition between rail and barge for U.S. grain transport is not widespread.
- Strong rail-barge competition is evident in specific grain corridors.
- The viability of intermodal competition is conditional on shipper distance and grain type.
- Historical data from 2002-2013 was used to model barge and railroad rates.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
U.S. grain farming occurs predominantly throughout the vast Midwest. U.S. railroads as well as barges operating on the Mississippi River have played key roles in the regional grain supply chain. While research has been done about U.S. grain transportation, surprisingly little is known about the nature and scope of intermodal competition in these freight markets. Using historical data from various sources, we estimate models of barge and railroad rates for key grain corridors and grain types. We find evidence of strong rail-barge competition in a few corridors in the region, but also uncover evidence that viable intermodal competition remains conditional on factors such as distance to shipper as well as the type of grain shipped.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Research in Transportation Economics, 2026 · DOI ↗
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