Modal choice evaluation of transport alternatives for exporting bio-ethanol from Brazil

Most of the bio-ethanol produced in the center-south region of Brazil is carried to ports for export by trucks. This paper establishes priorities based on financial and socio-environmental considerations for choosing between alternative ways of transporting bio-ethanol. A field study is conducted to determine the relevant attributes for evaluating alternatives and combined with prior work to identify attribute-related indicators. It is found that using roadway to feed long distance pipelines to delivering bio-ethanol directly to the port is the best choice irrespective of the socio-environmental weighting deployed. Long distance road transport is the worst of the alternatives considered.

Research highlights
► Bio-ethanol produced in the Brazil (95%) is carried to ports for export by trucks.
► It is possible to combine financial and socio-environmental aspects for modal choice.
► Pipeline to delivering bio-ethanol is the best choice considering socio-environmental aspects.
► Roadway transport in a long distance presents a very poor performance and should be avoided.