• Benchmarking and Optimization of the North Carolina Ferry System

    NCDOT Research Project Number: 2009-27

Executive Summary

  • The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Ferry Division is facing several challenges. Recent U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations increasing the minimum crew size on vessels carrying over 149 passengers will require the North Carolina Ferry System (NCFS) to add 79 employees. Difficulty in finding additional funds and certified crew to meet these regulations, coupled with reduced NCFS financial allocations from recent state budget cuts, resulted in a reduced number of ferry sailings on some routes during the peak operation period in the summer of 2009. ​

    In addition, the NCFS experienced challenges from ferry service outages that resulted from the need to operate aging ferry vessels, a lack of stand-by ferry vessels in case of breakdowns, and vessels out of service due to increased USCG dry-dock inspection frequency. The NCFS also must also make do with unreliable support vessels that have exceeded their useful lives, and a lack of certified welders and marine electricians to support maintenance functions. Finally, in order to meet Environmental Protection Agency Tier 3 diesel emissions regulations, the NCFS will need to replace 110 diesel engines at a cost of $15 million. ​

    However, these resource and operation challenges present an opportunity to analyze existing ferry operations, and to develop optimal scenarios to maximize the efficiency of the ferry system. The goal for this project was to analyze available data in order to provide the NCFS with recommendations to optimize its current resources, as well as to explore future opportunities. 
  
Researchers
  
Jeffrey Tsai
  
Jim Westmoreland
  

Related Documents

Report Period

  • May 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010

Status

  • Complete

Category

  • Traffic, Mobility, Safety and Roadway Design

Sub Category

  • Miscellaneous

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