Impact of transport infrastructure development on sugar transportation modal shift in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

This study presents the current situation of the land transport of sugar products in Northeastern Thailand. Data collections, field surveys and individual interviews with sugar producers, transporters, warehouse operators, exporters and marketing teams were conducted. It was revealed that most sugar product is currently transported via the road transport because the rail transport system commonly suffers from delays, unreliability, and results in dirty, damaged and lost goods. In addition, there is no direct route for rail transport connecting warehouses near the seaports. Freight transport models were developed to estimate the modal shift of sugar transport between road and rail systems according to the transport infrastructure development plans. It was found that rail infrastructure development would potentially influence sugar product transport systems to shift freight transport from the road system to the rail system. Furthermore, the development of motorways will decrease the amount of sugar product transported by the rail system.