1.0 Introduction

Transportation systems provide mobility for the national and international economy. Modern freight movement is increasingly encompassing multiple modes involving several transfer points in the distribution process. The commercial requirements being placed on the intermodal freight transport industry are rapidly increasing while new infrastructure expansions by themselves will not be sufficient to ease the pressure that will face intermodal operators in the coming years.

Efficient and secure Intermodal freight movement requires not only cargo transfer, but also the corresponding information transfer between the various transportation modes. Sophisticated applications are required to maximize the productivity of intermodal operations both at the terminal, on the rails, or on the road and to provide an increase in overall intermodal capacity. These advanced technology applications may include integrated data management systems, smart card data transfer systems, Internet-based real-time notification systems, and wireless data transfer.

A system capitalizing on all or some of these applications could improve container transfers at their multiple switchovers, providing tangible benefits to both the public and private sectors, including faster transit times, reduction in transfer times, lower costs, improved communication between modes, reduced road congestion and possibly improved safety.

1.1 Purpose of Technical Memorandum

This Technical Memorandum presents research and analysis on current technologies and systems utilized to support business transactions within and across cargo modes. This document aims to provide a direct relationship between Technical Memorandum 1 findings and representative technology-based delivery mechanisms that could be employed across the supply chain.

1.2 Organization of Technical Memorandum

Section 2 presents a review and analysis of advanced technology applications utilized at intermodal ports to move data and information internally and externally to their intermodal partners.

Section 3 presents a review and analysis of the NetREDI system utilized by the railroads to provide real-time tracking access to their customers and intermodal partners and rail line cargo tracking technologies used to gather this data.

Section 4 presents a review and analysis of advanced technology applications utilized at internally at dray companies, including communications with vehicles on the road, and externally with their intermodal partners.

Section 5 presents conclusions and considers future project opportunities.

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