SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FOR INTERMODAL FREIGHT SYSTEMS--PHASE I, EXPLORATORY PLANNING VOLUME I--EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES

An overview of the findings of the initial phase of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Intermodal Systems Engineering Program is presented. The work reported presents one segment of FRA sponsored research and development directed to the improvement and viability of rail freight service. Phase I, Exploratory Planning, Systems Engineering for Intermodal Freight Systems, briefly stated, included: (1) characterization of present intermodal equipment and operations; (2) identification of problems or opportunities where technology could be utilized to improve service, efficiency and return on investment; (3) identification of improved equipment, subsystem, facility concepts having potential future application; (4) synthesis of alternate systems comprised of improved equipment in various combinations, (5) development of a methodology for assessment of the relative merit of system alternatives in quantitative terms under various operating scenarios; and (6) evaluation of synthesized systems and identification of most promising alternatives. The work reported was performed by two contractor teams working independently, each using slightly different approaches. Each contractor interacted with intermodal committees of the Association of American Railroads, the Transportation Research Board, and the National Industrial Traffic League. The findings from Phase I will be used in a more in-depth examination of the most promising alternatives during Phase II, Development Planning.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Volumes VI through V to be published June 1978.
• Corporate Authors:

  Kearney (AT) and Company Incorporated

  Office of Research and Development
  Washington, DC  United States  20036

  Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company

  1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1978-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 77 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Cargo handling; Cargo handling equipment; Competition; Container on flat car; Container terminals; Containerization; Costs; Decision making; Development; Economic analysis; Freight traffic; Freight transportation; Intermodal terminals; Intermodal transportation; Line haul; Motor carriers; Piggyback transportation; Rail marine interface; Rates; Research; Systems engineering; Trailer on flat car; Transportation; Transportation modes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis; Freight rates; Research and development; Transportation costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Intermodal operations; Terminal facilities
• Subject Areas: Economics; Research; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178212
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Railroad Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FRA/ORD-78/24.I Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FR-748-4336, DOT-FR-749-4273
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 19 1978 12:00AM