Midwest Inland Port Optimization Study

Quetica was contracted by the City of Decatur and Midwest Inland Port to develop and apply demand-based supply chain network design and optimization modeling. The goal in developing a regional optimization model is to support strategic investments in Decatur’s regional transportation system; and, to assist in evaluating economic development opportunities in the region. The development and application of a customized optimization model enable Decatur, Illinois, and its regional partners, to effectively address network constraints and prioritize the most efficient investments in its regional intermodal/multimodal network.

Quetica conducted interviews with over 20 companies in the region and received over seven million shipping records from area businesses. A detailed shipment/commodity flow dataset was assembled for a 19-county study region. In addition to exploring domestic intermodal and transload scenarios, Quetica was also asked to evaluate a proposed I-72 eastern by-pass route. Quetica and members of the Decatur steering committee met with regional businesses to share the results for the optimization scenarios. The final report was delivered in early 2019