The purpose of this report is to demonstrate usage of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for analyzing intermodal freight networks. A complete GIS network, focused on the state of Texas, is developed and used to examine impacts of price, time, location, and policy on shipper routing. This process begins with an exploration of existing GIS applications, and state of the practice within the intermodal freight industry. This information provides a framework for building a technically feasible and relevant application. Data acquisition and processing techniques for both geographic and attribute data are considered. Relevant processes for creation of a GIS network and data conflation are identified and demonstrated. These techniques are used to create a network modeling the complex interactions and transfer rules amongst modes. Finally, several case studies are developed using the completed network to exhibit the power of GIS applied to intermodal freight. The report concludes with a summary, and observations to assist others attempting to build upon these results.
Applying sophisticated management techniques to freight transport offers the potential for significant cost savings as well as greater efficiency. Yet the inherent complexity of intermodal transport presents many challenges. This practical textbook on the operations of intermodal transport and logistics focuses on the practical concerns and the basics of operations, such as vehicles, containers, handling operations, logistics management and optimisation. All chapters are written by field specialists, and the volume includes additional chapters on economics, law and the environment to put the practical topics into context. It presents a balanced textbook for postgraduate students and also a reference text for those in industry or the public sector involved in the planning of intermodal freight transport.
Federal planning legislation and regulations now mandate that state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations consider the needs of freight when planning and programming transportation investments. While there are standard techniques used to forecast the movement of people, less attention has been paid to forecasting freight movements, and there are consequently fewer standardized techniques that state and local agencies can adapt to their local situation. This Toolkit is designed to provide transportation planners with the information they need to prepare forecasts of freight transportation by highlighting techniques successfully developed by state agencies across the country.
Geographic Information Systems for Intermodal Transportation: Methods, Models, Applications examines the basic concepts and applications of Geographic Information Systems for Transportation. The book discusses the unique characteristics of each transportation mode-- highway, railway, waterway and airway—as well as the combined intermodal transportation network. The book shows how GIS generates vehicle routes and shorted paths, develops transportation demand models, analyzes spatial data, and how three-dimensional modelling is applied to the intermodal transportation. - Includes real-world case studies from diverse situations - Provides step-by-steps insights using data to deliver effective outputs for all stakeholders - Presents models and practices for using GIS techniques to solve intermodal transportation problems - Includes learnings tools such as chapter objectives, discussion questions and a glossary
This paper discusses the development of geographical information systems (GIS) based tools for use in the trucking industry. The primary goals are to link the GIS with appropriate database information to support both operational and strategic decision making in both truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) operations. The GIS-based tools support three primary deliverables. In the LTL industry, we have developed tools to support the determination of near-optimal locations for breakbulk terminals. In the TL industry, we have developed tools to aid in the development of regularly scheduled capacity in the form of driving "lanes" in an effort to regularize the driving job and to improve service in that industry. For both industries, we have made use of regression analysis to determine the level to which we can make use of demographic information to predict freight density. For all three deliverables, the GIS software system supports the key prerequisite of freight density analysis. Also, the GIS platform provides excellent graphics capabilities for visualizing the various analyses and solutions. The result is an integrated solution platform that enables the trucking industry to better utilize delivery capacity and to proactively seek solutions to problems of strategic importance
. . . the book will be a valuable resource for students, researchers, policy makers and practitioners. Competition and Regulation in Network Industries The book is well balanced. . . The authors depict the reality of this complex world and identify the right strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Bart Jourquin, European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research . . . the editors and the expert contributors provide a timely overview of the present role and challenges of intermodal freight transport. . . the book will not only be appealing to academics and researchers with an interest in the emerging field of intermodal transport research. As the book is largely kept at an executive and policy level, it is also appealing to practitioners and policy makers. . . the book is a valuable contribution to the study of intermodal freight transport as a new transportation research application field. It is an essential reading for all stakeholders in the field of intermodal freight transportation, providing them with insight and tools to address the mounting academic and practical challenges in this segment of the transport and logistics market. Theo Notteboom, Journal of Transport Geography This book explores the great challenge of increasing the scope of intermodal freight transport. In view of the current dominant role of road transport and the increasing difficulties in coping with a growing number of vehicles in an efficient and sustainable way, intermodal freight transport could be considered a viable alternative. However, the book makes recognition of the fact that there is still a need to improve the performance of the intermodal transport system. The expert contributors provide an overview of the present role of intermodal freight transport, address opportunities to significantly improve current performance, and demonstrate design and modelling tools used to analyse and support this performance. Requirements for the implementation of intermodal innovations are also prescribed, and policies needed to improve competitiveness are outlined. Many factors contributing to the performance and competitiveness of intermodal freight transport are explored, from technological and organisational innovations through to institutional settings and policy frameworks. This comprehensive range of topics will attract a broad audience including academics, researchers, policymakers and practitioners involved in the design and development of freight transport systems. It will also strongly appeal to those with an interest in the future of freight transport.
