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 Container come in 2 standard lengths
O TEU (20 feet equivalent units)
O FEU (40 feet equivalent units)
O Typically loaded by crane hoisting
O 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