Transport Problems (Jun 2020)

INLAND WATER TRANSPORT APPLICABILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE SEA PORT HINTERLAND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. KLAIPEDA SEA-PORT CASE

  • Ričardas MALKUS,
  • Jūratė LIEBUVIENĖ,
  • Vida JOKUBYNIĖNĖ

DOI
https://doi.org/10.21307/tp-2020-017
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 2
pp. 25 – 31

Abstract

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The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of the main factors influencing negatively Klaipeda Sea Port performance and competitiveness as well as their limiting impact on the development of this transport system entity in general. This case study re-search is proposing some alternative solutions decreasing negative influences of compara-tively declining land transport infrastructure connectivity to the Sea Port hinterland. Anal-ysis of hinterland connectivity is based onthe extended gate concept,where a series of terminals and related logistical activities are integrated into a functional single entity. The intensity of real road transport flows on the main connecting road intersections has been evaluated using digital tools with input data from the ArcGIS platform. Also, accessibility to other terminals (at the local, regional and global scale) as well as the terminal is linkage to the regional transport system has been taken into account. One of the objectives of this research was to define objectively the state of traffic flow on the highway connecting Klai-peda sea-port to its hinterland because the road infrastructure was not qualitatively im-proved for a long period, while the average annual seaport turnover is constantly growing by 6% -9%. Secondly, it was defined how substantially is possible to decrease the load of road traffic in case of reestablishing of an inland waterway connection between practically the same points of the transport route. Using mathematical modeling of traffic flows is proved that, road transport highway connection in/from the Klaipeda Seaport is loaded substantially and requires systemic improvement (building at least additional lanes in both directions, etc.) to promote further growth of Klaipeda sea-port capacities. The option to apply an additional inland waterway connection allows to decrease the road traffic flow up to 9 –11% with the possible development of this option, what in its’ turn also decrease the negative influence on the environment.

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