Methodological Approach for Identification of Green Freight Corridor Through Regional Freight Demand Assessment: A Case Study of Visakhapatnam Port Region, India

Road freight transit is growing at an exponential rate, and its environmental impact is becoming more pronounced. Conventional diesel-powered trucks contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, jeopardizing climatic stability and human health. Green freight corridors, also known as E-Corridors, have emerged as a promising alternative for integrating sustainable technologies and practices into critical freight routes. However, there is relatively little literature on how to scientifically and rationally identify potential corridors for green freight movement. To overcome this gap, the current work presents a systematic methodology for identifying possible freight corridors based on regional freight demand assessment. Visakhapatnam, a significant port city in the east, is used as a case study in the research. The primary, secondary and tertiary hinterlands of the study region are determined through primary and secondary surveying, including Origin and Designation surveys. Furthermore, these hinterlands are delineated into 31 freight zones, which are used to estimate freight demand. Furthermore, spatial and network analysis techniques in Arc GIS were utilized to detect important freight flow between zones in order to discover prospective green freight corridors. The vehicular turnover on these specific roadways was anticipated and modelled for the year 2047, and the results reveal a reasonably high count of ‘Multi Axle’ and ‘Two Axle’ vehicles, followed by ‘Three Axle’ and ‘Light Commercial’ vehicles. These studies identify four such corridors that have the ability to accommodate alternative fuel cars and can be converted into a ‘E-Corridor’ using existing infrastructure. In addition, the study also investigates alternative solutions such as electric vehicles and smart technologies that can be implemented along these identified green freight corridors, as well as a phased electrification roadmap for these corridors that adheres to current EV standards and capacities, culminating in full electrification by 2047. Thus, the overall study emphasizes the need for ongoing research in green technology and infrastructure in realizing the full potential of green freight corridors and paving the path for a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.