Please respond to both students separately with a minimum of 100 words each
Original Post:
With respect to the transportation industry, provide several key points explaining the meaning and significance of the term “Intermodal.” Please view the 3 videos on the subject of “intermodal” transportation.
Student Response:
Saun
Intermodal Transportation is a very important part of the transportation process, and it ensures that goods get from origin to destination in the most efficient manner possible. Intermodal just means that more than one mode of transport is used throughout the shipment. Typically, Intermodal Transportation allows for standardized container shipments, resources for line hauling, and the handling of equipment. Intermodal Transportation contributes to a lucrative approach for transportation companies that are shipping goods close to 1,000 miles. This allows the transportation provider to route their shipments from truck to train, or vessel if they choose rather than just having a tractor trailer haul the cargo the whole way. This lowers costs immediately because transportation companies can containerize shipments and get a lot more done with a lot less logistics and manpower. Not to mention, even if the company decides to use the train they are still saving a ton of money in fuel costs because typically trains can move freight almost 500 miles on only one gallon of fuel. On the contrary, using a truck over the same distance can be exponentially more fuel and consequently drives the transportation costs up significantly. In addition to savings costs for transportation providers, Intermodal Transportation allows for more consistency capacity especially when it comes to truck and rail shipments. Lastly, and maybe most importantly depending on who you ask, the quality of service through Intermodal Transportation is worth coming back for. It is flat out more resourceful for both the transportation provider and for the consumer in the end. Not only that but shipments are considered to be more secure along the way since trains are on a fixed rail and are less prone for accidents.
Matthew
Good Evening Everyone,
Intermodal is the use of two or more modes of freight, such as truck and rail, to transport goods from one destination to another. This process is commonly started by having a container placed onto a truck and then shipped to an area to be placed onto a rail, only to be placed back onto a truck at a later destination. While that sounds confusing and congestive, the purpose of intermodal is to reduce the cost of shipping and emissions placed on the environment. If you watch the videos we had this week, you can see that a single train can ship over 300 trucks worth of cargo in a single trip.
Benefits of intermodal shipping are extremely important for both consumers and producers as they help both parties. Intermodal shipping allows for shippers to have lower rates, predictable pricing, and the flexibility of loading and unloading goods in a dropped trailer environment that will reduce handling costs placed on them. Intermodal is also more environmentally friendly because of the amount of cargo being shipped compared to the amount of emissions being placed on the environment. It is also important to note that the use of intermodal shipping is more reliable and safe than standard shipping because shippers have more access to transit scheduling, and have the equipment on rail networks rather than busy highways.
Overall, Intermodal shipping has a lot of benefits for shippers and the people they serve. Companies like Norfolk Southern Corporation have the ability to reduce shipper costs, are more environmentally friendly, as well as safer and more reliable for their customers. These benefits make intermodal shipping a necessity for consumers to deliver their products to consumers for the cheapest, most effective price available.
http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/intermodal-transportations-strategic-advantage/