Revolutionizing the Movement of Freight

This article, which is part of a series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System, offers a commentary by the president and CEO of American Trucking Associations, discussing how the Interstate Highway System has changed the way freight is transported. Initially, the wider lanes and thicker pavement facilitated truck movement from coast to coast. As a result, the majority of goods once shipped by rail now move by truck. Along with de-regulation of trucking, that has led to just-in-time delivery. The author describes challenges facing the system, especially the proliferation of tolls and rising congestion. Statistics are cited showing the rapid growth in travel that has not been matched by road construction. Projections indicate that the number of Class 8 trucks will rise from 2.7 million on the road today to 3.7 million by 2016. Additional challenges include reducing wait times at loading docks, cutting back on empty miles and making size and weight regulations more consistent. Better oversight and coordination of local spending of federal highway dollars is also needed to target key bottlenecks that have widespread effects.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/19451392
• Authors:
  • Graves, Bill
• Publication Date: 2005-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: p 26
• Serial:
  • Transportation Builder
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: American Road & Transportation Builders Association
  • ISSN: 1043-4054

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freight traffic; Interstate highways; Trucking
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01018520
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 2 2006 9:33AM