Evaluating the Market Accessibility of Inland Waterway Ports Using the State of Mississippi as a Case Study

Abstract

Inland waterway transportation is an essential part of the waterborne transportation system that supports the Blue Economy of the U.S.A. The utilization of inland waterway ports determines the realization of the full potential of the Blue Economy system. Using data from the state of Mississippi as an example, this paper applied a modified gravity-based accessibility measure to assess the ease with which each Mississippi inland waterway port was able to reach port-related markets in Mississippi and its four neighboring states. The accessibility indices were based on highway-only and highway–railway networks, and they were analyzed to examine the advantage of using an intermodal network as opposed to a single-mode network. In addition, the ease with which each port was able to reach markets both in Mississippi and in several neighboring states was investigated to examine the impact of enlarging the market area on the competitiveness of a port in relation to its accessibility. Understanding the ease with which a port can reach markets compared with other ports can help the port authority or local agency to use its accessibility as a competitive advantage in the local, regional, or national economy and identify improvements or niche markets.