This definition, however, considers an entity that the aforementioned ones do not people . Intermodal transportation is not limited to freight. People often use varying modes of transportation to travel between locations. This viewpoint allows research in the area to be expanded without substantially deviating from the basic meaning. The DOT s definition also introduces another concept that is not incorporated in the other definitions seamless movement.
Seamless movement is a critical element of intermodal transportation.
In addition to providing movement from origin to destination, intermodal transportation is also concerned with the smooth transfer of entities between modes during the journey. Incorporating the phrase seamless into the definition emphasizes the importance of this concept. Summary Evaluation of the Existing Definitions Containerization is a common theme across the myriad of definitions presented. This probably stems from the origins of intermodal transportation the movement of containerized freight. This also explains why, with the exception of the Department of Transportation s definition, the entity involved in intermodal movement was strictly limited to freight and people were excluded.