Title: Policy options for intermodal freight transportation /
Authors: National Research Council (U.S.).
Publisher: National Academy Press,
Year: 1998
Subjects: Freight and freightage Government policy United States.; Containerization Government policy United States.
Abstract: This study of policy options for intermodal freight was initiated by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee in 1995. The Executive Committee recognized that freight transportation is of critical importance to the United States and that intermodal freight transportation is one of the major technological and organizational trends affecting the performance of the sector. o conduct this study, TRB formed a committee, following National Research Council procedures to ensure a balance of points of view, that included members with expertise in intermodal freight transportation, state and local government transportation administration, and public policy. The committee's conclusions and recommendations are presented in this special report and cover four areas: Principles for government involvement; Federal surface transportation programs affecting freight; Regulatory and operations issues; and Public finance of intermodal freight projects. Also included are the five papers on special topics commissioned by the committee.
Contents: Introduction: The Intermodal Freight System, Policy Issues, and Study Scope -- Principles for Government Involvement -- Changing Government Roles in Freight -- Deciding on Government Involvement -- Subsidized Versus Unsubsidized Participation -- Analysis Tools -- Guidelines for Determining the Scope of Public-Sector Participation -- Federal Surface Transportation Programs and Freight -- Use of Highway Trust Fund Revenues for Nonhighway Freight Projects -- Project Selection and Priority for Freight Projects -- Projects of National Significance and Federal Responsibilities -- Basic Structure of the Federal-Aid Program -- Regulatory and Operations Issues -- Facilitating Application of Information Technology -- Economic Regulation of Carriers -- Pricing Practices -- Public Finance of Intermodal Freight Projects -- Who Should Pay for the Project -- Innovative Mechanisms for Raising Capital and Operating Funds -- Management of Transportation Trust Funds -- Rules for Use of Tax-Exempt Bond Finance -- Relation of Federal Tax and Aid Policies to Privatization -- Project Finance and Interstate Competition for Economic Development -- Intermodal Freight Policy Issues -- Principles for Government Involvement -- Federal Surface Transportation Programs and Freight -- Regulatory and Operations Issues -- Public Finance of Intermodal Freight Projects -- Research Needs -- Principles for Government Involvement in Freight Infrastructure / Randall W. Eberts -- Federal Surface Transportation Legislation and Freight / Jean Lauver -- Freight Projects of National Significance: Toward a Working Definition / Daniel Smith -- Information Technology for Freight Transportation Coordination / Barrie R. Nault -- Public-Sector Financing in Intermodal Freight Transportation / John E. Petersen.