Exam 8: Water Carriers and Pipelines

Correct Answer:

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Water transportation has a similar labor rate as rail, and has a much higher labor rate than pipeline. Water carrier uses one employee for every 2.72 million ton-miles. This is almost as efficient as rail which is at 4.47 million ton-miles per employee. Pipeline, the most efficient, has 39.2 million ton miles per employee. In comparison motor carriers have .4 million ton miles per employee. For water operations labor is required for loading and unloading. Labor is also required for transfer to connecting modes or to store freight waiting on movement. In general the low labor rates come from the fact that bulk materials can be loaded using automatic devices.