Attachment A. Outbound Drayage Technology Transaction Steps

A Shipper contacts an IMC [Intermodal Marketing Company, which has bought space on an intermodal train] to notify the IMC that the Shipper has a trailer load to move. The shipper may place the order with the IMC via an Internet based interface listing shipment details including content, weight, dimensions and origin/destination information.
The IMC notifies a Dray Company of the Shippers requirements and specifications for the load. IMC’s now often provide Internet based EDI or similar systems as a service to the drayage operators they serve. IMC’s email or electronically contact drayage operators who are then prompted to log into the IMC provided Internet EDI to check load details.
The Dray company assigns a company driver or independent operator to perform the work. Drivers can be contacted on the road via cellular phone or wireless technology devices that can transmit all load details to them in their cab. The driver information is entered into a Drayage Information System along with the corresponding load information.
The Dray company confirms the assigned driver/operator to the Shipper. This is now being accomplished increasingly by Internet communications from the Dray company to the Shipper notifying them of driver identity along with preliminary delivery information.
The Drayman and/or operator locates a suitable available trailer. The Drayman notifies the Shipper that the driver is en route. The Drayman will electronically check the status of available trailers meeting shipment specifications either internally on their Drayage Information System or externally via the Internet. The Drayman will electronically notify the Shipper (normally via Internet) that the driver is en route to their facility for shipment pick up.
The driver/operator delivers the trailer to the Shipper and the Shipper loads the product; The driver’s identity is checked against electronically forwarded information from the Dray company.
The Shipper issues a Bill of Lading stating which rail yard to deliver the trailer to. The trailer is sealed. The Shipper electronically submits a bill of lading/manifest that is forwarded immediately via EDI or Internet application to the dray operator, IMC and the rail line. The trailer is sealed with a reference number that is electronically included with the manifest information to promote cargo integrity.
The driver/operator contacts the Drayman that he has left the Shipper and is en route to the rail yard. The Drayman contacts the IMC, that contacts the Railroad, to expect the driver/operator. The driver utilizes a cellular phone or mobile wireless device to contact the Drayman. Automated system applications will notify the IMC and Railroad of the pending delivery via EDI or Internet. GPS/wireless technology allows for real time tracking via the Internet.
The driver/operator delivers the trailer to the rail yard. The bill of lading/manifest has already been electronically received via EDI or Internet by the Railroad’s system. Load acceptance is transmitted by EDI or Internet to the IMC, Dray company and Shipper.
The Dray company is able to issue an invoice to the IMC for payment for services. Invoices comprised of a billing statement, inbound work order and outbound work order (or similar documents) are electronically transmitted by Internet or EDI. Electronic payment may be transmitted to the Dray company from the IMC by EDI or Internet.