ABSTRACT

The growth of containerisation has led to different markets for US business, and realignment of traditional trade lanes. Ports are now an interchangeable link in the system, not a separate component of a transportation activity, as companies plan and execute global supply chains. Port and inland hinterland connections often developed in the past for dedicated bulk or break-bulk services. While the US has traditionally been engaged in international trade, the advent of containerisation with changes in domestic transportation operations resulted in tremendous changes in the North American network flows. The federal highway administration's (FHWA) freight analysis framework attempted to estimate the national system performance. Market studies are often complicated by the lack of operational data, such as rates, equipment availability, and other costs that could determine a project's success. While the project may be operated by a private railroad, the financing of dry ports has largely been the result of public private investments.