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ORNL Waterways Navigation Studies The Army Corps of Engineers conducts studies of specific water systems and/or specific locks and dams within a waterway system to assess the feasibility of proposed structural and non-structural improvements. The objective is to apply state-of-the-art methodologies and models to estimate the benefits of proposed improvements and balance those benefits against the estimated costs of the improvements. ORNL often works in collaboration with Corps analysts to apply specific models, such as the Ohio River Navigation Investment Model (ORNIM), to specific Corps studies. These studies must follow a set of Principles and Guidelines . Ohio River Mainstem Study (ORMSS) The primary study purpose of ORMSS is to develop the best plan for maintaining a reliable navigation system on the mainstem of the Ohio River . ORNL is assisting the Ohio River Division to apply ORNIM to this study. Specifically, the study will evaluate maintenance, major maintenance, major rehabilitation and new construction investment needs for 19 navigation locks and dams, and will identify the optimum plan for meeting those needs. The ORMSS will produce a System Investment Plan (SIP). For additional information, see: Ohio River Mainstem System Study (ORMSS) (1994 - 2004) at the Center of Expertise for Inland Navigation (CNIX) Restructured Upper Mississippi River— Illinois Waterway Navigation Feasibility Study ORNL was asked by the Mississippi Valley Division to apply the Tow Cost—Equilibrium (TCM—EQ) Models and the Waterway Analysis Model (WAM) to the Restructured Upper Mississippi River—Illinois Waterway Navigation Feasibility Study. ORNL continues to be involved in this study per the Corps’ Adaptive Implementation Strategy. The Tow Cost—Equilibrium Models (TCM—EQ) were originally built for studies of the Ohio River System. The Waterway Analysis Model (WAM) is a system simulation model, originally developed in the 1970s to estimate the impact of tow movements on the inland waterway system. ORNL modified and applied TCM—EQ and WAM to the Corps’ Restructured Upper Mississippi River—Illinois Waterway Navigation Feasibility Study. For additional information, see: A general discussion of ORNL’s contribution to this study and the application of WAM, please see the report Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study ORNL is currently participating in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study, a multi-agency effort that includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Transport Canada. ORNL’s contributions have included the application of the Maritime Input—Output Model (MIO) and modifications to the Lock Risk Module within the Ohio River Navigation Investment Model (ORNIM). For additional information, see: Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study Studies of Measures to Improve Inland Navigation Models and tools developed by ORNL allow analyst to estimate the economic feasibility of a variety of potential improvements to the inland navigation system. Structural measures include new and extended locks, new lock components, and improved maintenance program to improve lock reliability. Non-structural measures include congestion fees, scheduling, and other approaches to improving lock efficiency. For additional information, see: Presentation "Modeling Optimal Congestion Fees within the Ohio River Navigation Investment Model"

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