Intermodal
Transportation
Intermodal Transportation
O Involves the use of 2 or modes of transportation
in moving cargo from origin to destination.
O Relies primarily upon the use of containerization
O Involves the use of standardized box dimensions,
hold down devices, & related items.
O Allows the same container to be used by water,
rail, & motor carriers.
O Combines the advantages & disadvantages of
each transportation mode used
O Motor freight is the most common mode used
Intermodal Transportation
Piggyback
O Includes the movement of motor carrier trailers on
rail flatcars (TOFC)
O Typical trailer ranges in length from 28 to 53 feet
O Most flatcars can handle up to 2 trailers 40 feet in length
O Trailers loaded by driving, crane hoisting, or fork-lift
hoisting
O And the movement of water carrier containers on
flatcars (COFC)
O
O
O
O
O
Container come in 2 standard lengths
TEU (20 feet equivalent units)
FEU (40 feet equivalent units)
Typically loaded by crane hoisting
Normally transported on a doublestack car
Piggyback
Piggyback
O Water containers may be transported by
motor freight carriers
O May be loaded on a flatbed trailer (up to 2
FEUs)
O RoadRailer® is a new innovation that allows
the attachment of special wheel sets
O Use of the RoadRailer® allows containers to
be used interchangeably with motor & rail
freight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
x2vhOOB0MoE&feature=related
Air Intermodal
O Standard, rectangular, 40 foot box not used
to aircraft limitations
O Rather, special containers used
O 20 feet long
O Roughly 6 feet wide
O Rounded top to accommodate aircraft shape
O Hydraulic handling equipment
used for loading/unloading
Air Intermodal