Cost modelling for inland waterway transport systems

Inland waterways have proven to be a significant mode of infrastructure for the carriage of freight. Examples of this can be seen in many developed regions such as Continental Europe, the United States of America and to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom. The benefit resulting from the existence of waterways are enormous in both transportational and non-transportational benefits. Hence there are considerable benefits which will result from a sustained development of waterways. This study identifies all relevant parameters associated with the waterways system. They include the waterway route, the barge provision to carry the cargo and terminal facilities as an interface point for cargo handling operations. Methods have been determined to enable various costs to be estimated. This estimating procedure can be very useful for a preliminary evaluation of development proposals pending a more detailed cost analysis. Estimated benefits can also be quantified at this preliminary stage. Data has been collected from a number of reliable sources. Models have successfully been generated and each model has been validated to an acceptable level of accuracy. The analysis has been applied to a proposed development of an inland waterway transportation system in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. The results indicate viability for the scheme and, moreover, show the degree to which designers and planners can benefit from the use of the models.