Chapter 21 Intermodal Transportation
The process of combining transportation modes.
Intermodal transportation A combination of two or more of the five major modes of transportation Air Rail Water Highway Sometimes Pipeline
Intermodal Transportation Increased efficiency Less time and labor in loading and unloading cargo. Reduces shipping time and cost.
Trailer on flatcar An intermodal method of transporting cargo involving highway and rail modes.
Containerization Or containerized shipping is an efficient method of handling cargo. Cargo is loaded into large boxes before being transported.
Containers Can be loaded on railroad flatcars Can be loaded on containerships Can be loaded onto semi-trailers
Advantages of Containerization Less handling of cargo Containers can be moved from storage, to ship, to rail, to semi-trailer easily.
Conveyor A conveyor is a continuous chain or belt that moves materials over a fixed path.