Integration Of Pipeline Transport In The Dutch National Freight Transport Model: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents the integration of pipeline transport into the Dutch national freight transport model BasGoed.

This paper first provides a general overview of freight transport in the Netherlands. This overview covers all modes of transport, shipping, road transport, rail transport, inland navigation and pipelines. This overview is followed by a more detailed description of pipeline transport. We address the current use of pipelines, looking at the operational range, the existing infrastructure and the types of goods currently transported via pipelines, such as liquids and gases. With a SWOT analysis, we evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of pipeline transport. This analysis helped to prepare the functional and technical design of a pipeline module for BasGoed.

We then present the conceptual design and technical implementation of the pipeline transport module in BasGoed. The considerations behind the architecture and design are described. Modelling challenges include limited data availability, forecasting potential modal shift and potential demand for new transport due to energy transition (hydrogen, CO2). Use cases have been developed to ensure that the model properly reflects these developments in pipeline transport demand.

We further describe the technical integration into BasGoed, addressing the aspects of data integration and ensuring data accuracy and consistency. The paper discusses how the integration of pipeline transport leads to a better representation of freight transport within the Netherlands, by improving the BasGoed model.

The paper concludes with some conclusions and recommendations for including freight transport via pipelines in freight transport models.