Chicago is the third largest intermodal freight hub in the world. As a result, there is need for efficient routing of trains throughout the Chicago area. One aspect of railroad transport that... Show moreChicago is the third largest intermodal freight hub in the world. As a result, there is need for efficient routing of trains throughout the Chicago area. One aspect of railroad transport that directly affects the overall efficiency of the rail system is how easily accessible train intermodal yards are for trucks going to and through the intermodal yards. With this in mind, the overall purpose and objective of IPRO 307 is to improve the truck flow in and around an intermodal facility at Harvey, IL which is owned by Canadian National (CN) lines. CN is one of the six major railroads that serve the Chicago area. The intermodal facility at Harvey is surrounded by a network of highways including Interstates 80, 57, 294, 94 and 65. Interstates 294 and 80 cross directly overhead of the intermodal yard. In order to make truck flow around the intermodal yard more efficient, IPRO 307 will look into the addition of ramps and frontage roads, including a ramp that would be based off of interstates 80/294. A ramp connecting the major interstate to the intermodal facility would allow for easier access to the intermodal facility by trucks, thereby bettering the efficiency of the intermodal facility as a whole. Show less
