Port Market Demand and Transportation Impact Study – Quincy, IL
The Mid-America Intermodal Port Commission (MAIPC) is a tri-state 26-county coalition formed by an interstate compact between Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa to form a port district for the intended purpose of providing long-term benefits to this rural area. Although it is rural, the Mid-America Region is home to many shippers in the agriculture, mineral mining, and manufacturing industries that rely on international supply chains for both import of raw materials and the export of raw and finished products. Since its formation in 1999, a centerpiece of MAIPC efforts has been a proposed port development near Quincy, IL to improve Mississippi River access for area businesses.
MAIPC contracted with Quetica to complete the market assessment and later amended the contract to include the development of a regional freight network optimization model. We completed several rounds of stakeholder interviews and assembled the inventory of regional networks. A demand data assessment was completed prior to the optimization analysis. The final stage of the project prepared a business plan and Benefit Cost Analysis for the selected investments. The market assessment found that 80 percent of the region’s goods by weight were transported by truck. Optimization modeling identified significant opportunities to consolidate or convert long-haul truck trips to rail and barge via transload facilities added to the regional network.
