ABSTRACT
Modal interchange facilities are a key component of what is commonly referred to as intermodal freight transport, wherein goods are consigned from an origin to a destination via a variety of modes and/or carriers, in order to minimize costs or maximize service to the customer. The whole subject of intermodal freight transport is a vast one covering aspects of transport equipment design, government regulation, documentation and process control, terminal design and operation, marketing and management, industrial relations, politics, etc. Terminals may be single-mode or multi-mode. Shipping terminals may be served by a variety of land-side modes, including trucks, rail, pipeline, barge, etc. In the case of shipping terminals, the terminal operator, the stevedoring company, plays a pivotal role. Most container terminals are served by road, and some are served by rail. Air freight terminals are usually served on the land side by trucking services only.
