Analysis of Rail Transfer for Solid Wastes in North Carolina,U.S.A

Alternative rail haul transfer systems for solid waste management are discussed in terms of design and cost considerations and preliminary feasibility of such systems within a given region in North Carolina. The focus is the development of alternatives to expensive solid waste handling and disposal problems.

Engineers are limited in the consideration of truly different solid waste management programmes. Truck transfer systems receive limited attention, but rail haul is not widely investigated. Rail systems that have existed have pulled themselves both up and down by their bootstraps in scant few communities in the world.

Results of this study indicate design and cost considerations for rail systems. Rail transfer technologies are developed for four size facilities using freight trains, unit trains and high-rail vehicles. Loading and unloading options are detailed using flatbed, gondola and hopper rail cars. A case study points to the usefulness of the technologies but the current administrative requirements imposed by the rail companies makes rail haul non-competitive in this area.