Analysis of Area Suitability for the Railway Development from Sila at Station to the Destination Station at Phu Doo International Point of Entry for Supporting the Development of the Rail Transport System and Logistics of Uttaradit Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study site suitability for developing the railway line from Sila At Station to the destination station at Phu Doo International Point of Entry for supporting the development of the rail transport system and logistics of Uttaradit Province and to increase the scope of rail transport connectivity from Indochina to Phu Doo International Point of Entry. This railway is an important route for goods transportation in the northern region of Thailand to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The analysis of area suitability for developing the railway was conducted with 4 factors: land use, slope, distance from main road, and topography. These factors were analyzed and assessed on suitability of the railway by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The study results show that agricultural area is the largest proportion of the railway development at 22,098 rais (76.32%) of the whole suitable area. Regarding the 3 railway construction models overlaying with topographic map data and contour lines in the Google Earth program, the Railway 2 is the shortest route with the total distance of 141.01 kilometers passing Mueang District, Tha Pla District, Nam Pat District, Fak Tha District, and Ban Khok District of Uttaradit Province. According to the results from assessing the railway suitability with AHP, the total score of Railway 2 is the highest value. When considering each factor, the Railway 2 focuses on topography and land use in considering suitability for the railway development. However, the scores of Railway 3 are similar, noticeable from the significant equal scores on topography and land use.