Shift in Intermodal Priorities for National Freight Policy Raises Concerns For Trucking, Reports The Journal of Commerce

NEWARK, N.J., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As national freight policy and funding discussions in Washington shift toward an approach favoring rail and water, concern is rising over the future of already inadequate road infrastructure. In today's Cover Story, The Journal of Commerce analyzes the controversy of the emerging Department of Transportation strategy -- its strongest vision for freight ever promoted -- and its potential to revolutionize U.S. transportation networks.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100405/NY81339 )

The Obama administration is forming a national freight policy that can be boiled down to a single concept: Get more trucks off the roads. Moving a larger percentage of the intercity freight by water, and then rail, for as far as possible and shifting to trucks for the last few miles, will result in cleaner air, fuel savings and less highway congestion.  

Freight rail infrastructure is set to benefit already from congestion-reducing measures, by way of improvements funded by the DOT's $8 billion passenger rail-related grants. However, while all sides of intermodal goods movement agree with the overall efficiency push, truckers and highway advocates are growing frustrated with the fine details and potential diversion of much-needed funds away from crumbling roads that would still be relied upon heavily.  

"I'm really disappointed that the importance of our industry is being negated, and the importance of mobility for highway users is being dismissed," says Randy Mullett of trucking and logistics company Con-way.

The Cover Story of this week's Journal of Commerce provides insight into strategies for encouraging more efficient and sustainable use of the nation's transportation network and the challenges ahead in reimagining how freight flows through the country's long-standing supply networks.

To view daily news visit www.joc.com. For all media enquires, including article reprints, please contact Editorial Director Paul Page.

Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

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SOURCE The Journal of Commerce