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Freight Transportation Demand: Energy-Efficient Scenarios for a Low-Carbon Future

Freight Transportation Demand: Energy-Efficient Scenarios for a Low-Carbon Future

Full Title:  Freight Transportation Demand: Energy-Efficient Scenarios for a Low-Carbon Future
Author(s):  Grenzeback, L.R.; Brown, A.; Fischer, M.J.; Hutson, N.; Lamm, C.R.; Pei, Y.L.; Vimmerstedt, L.; Vyas, A.D.; Winebrake, J.J.
Publisher(s):  Prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc., and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO) for the U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

 

Freight transportation demand is projected to grow to 27.5 billion tons in 2040, and by extrapolation, to nearly 30.2 billion tons in 2050, requiring ever-greater amounts of energy. This report describes the current and future demand for freight transportation in terms of tons and ton-miles of commodities moved by truck, rail, water, pipeline, and air freight carriers. It outlines the economic, logistics, transportation, and policy and regulatory factors that shape freight demand; the possible trends and 2050 outlook for these factors, and their anticipated effect on freight demand and related energy use. The report draws upon a variety of sources, including published literature and unpublished perspectives based on authors’ expertise. After describing federal policy actions that could influence freight demand, the report then summarizes the available analytical models for forecasting freight demand, and identifies possible areas for future action. This is not intended to propose or promote particular policy actions.

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