Intermodal Freight Transport, Technology and

Innovations in Intermodal Transport

Integrated intermodal transport is critical to the successful execution of national and international supply chains. Most bulk commodities, including food products, natural resources, and large building materials utilize multiple channels of transport to bridge the distance between site of origination and ultimate location of use. Consider grain, for example. In the United States, grain is typically transported from the originating farm via truck before being transferred to containers that travel by rail, water, and/or air before reaching their final destination at home or abroad. Even semibulk or small packages utilize intermodal transport, often moving from truck to rail or air for shipment to ensure the timeliest delivery to final destination in today's increasingly demanding and globalized markets in which sourcing options and trading patterns continue to expand.

In the modern intermodal environment, customers expect highly coordinated and customized delivery of goods via the supply chain. That means that intermodal infrastructure, equipment, technology, and operations must continually innovate to achieve maximum speed, reliability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, quality, and consistency throughout every stage of the intermodal freight transportation process. Many of the innovations occurring in the intermodal arena have centered on technology.

Technologies such as smart cards, laser scanners, and Global Positioning System (GPS) data inventory tracking have significantly enhanced intermodal freight operations by streamlining processes and increasing visibility along the delivery chain. In the trucking industry, radiolocation technologies have bolstered the logistical management side of intermodal operations by combining automated vehicle location capabilities with voice and data communication channels to facilitate fleet dispatch and timely solutions to unexpected issues along the transport route. Rail transport has been bolstered by real-time grade-crossing, warning system, and interlocking control technologies. Additional innovations in intermodal rail have included the development of an intelligent railroad system with train control and dispatching functionality to facilitate rail operations and maintenance, a national system to improve tracking and efficiency, and automatic equipment identification tags. Intermodal aviation has been aided by advances in the air traffic control system, including state-of-the-art weather and communication systems, enhanced navigation aids, and direct data links.

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