Key Emerging Trends in the Intermodal Freight Transportation Industry

• Main Author: Phillips, Dexter
• Other Authors: Lewis, Ira A.
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/9214; http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA387214

This thesis addresses the key emerging trends in the intermodal freight transportation industry. Interviews were conducted with a focus on perceptions that the various intermediaries have towards their working relationships with one another the impact of emerging technologies, and what government policies and regulations should be enacted or repealed in order to improve the industry. Eight individuals were interviewed representing the following seven intermediaries: 1) Shipper, 2) Ocean Carrier, 3) Port Authority, 4) Railroad, 3) Trucking, 6) Third Party Logistics and Intermodal Management Company, and 7) Drayage. All interviews were taped and then transcribed. A major finding is that the U.S. government, industry, and academia must work in a collaborative effort to develop and maintain educational and internship programs to prepare present and future transportation managers and technicians to become the industry's leaders. Although dramatic developments in advanced technologies have been the single greatest factor influencing changes in transportation during the past 25 years it is people who manufacture goods, provide transportation services, and ultimately consume the goods produced. Therefore, it is the "human-in-the- loop "who when properly equipped, trained, and ex experienced will truly revolutionize the commercial intermodal freight trans industry.