NCJ Number
193958
Journal
TR News Volume: 211 Dated: November/December 2000 Pages: 1-24
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the effect the highly efficient transportation system has on the United States military.
Abstract
The trend of minimizing excess capacity in the transportation system has raised potential problems for the Nation’s defense. This was discussed at a special two-part meeting of the commercial transportation industry and the Department of Defense (DOD). Trucking industry problems, such as the closing of many depots and the lack of specialized drivers, are affecting the defense community. Another problem is the increase in the average age of commercial vehicle drivers and the lack of competitive wages with many less demanding professions. The decline in the number of drivers is occurring as truck freight volume is projected to increase 26 percent in the next decade. Some conditions in the rail industry are similar to those in the trucking industry, including the aging of operators and the unappealingly long work hours. Training to handle military shipments is another issue. In the air carrier industry, the availability of crews with DOD experience is becoming a serious problem. The recent purchases of U.S. carriers by foreign companies has had a significant impact on the ocean shipping industry, raising concerns about the availability of assets in a military crisis. On the port operation side of the logistics system is the problem of waterfront development where there is not enough room to organize cargo for loading. DOD has acknowledged and is taking steps to deal with these problems. For the past 3 years, DOD has worked to address industry concerns, such as working to make military container operations more compatible with commercial operations. Other nonsystem issues are the loss of strategic bases overseas, improving and lightening ground-handling equipment, and reducing the need for staging areas. A good economy and increased reliance on commercial transportation have increased defense risk. The “fort to port” surface modes are most important for mobilization, followed by sealift and airlift.