Hurricane Katrina: Shipping Disruptions

This report discusses hurricane Katrina, the extent of the damage, how soon normal port operations can resume, and which shippers in particular will have the hardest time adapting should the disruption continue for an extended period

Port and Maritime Security: Background and Issues for Congress

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, heightened awareness about the vulnerability to the terrorist attack of all modes of transportation. Port security has emerged as a significant part of the overall debate on U.S. homeland security. The overarching issues for Congress are providing oversight on current port security programs and making or responding to proposals to improve port security

Grain Transport: Modal Trends and Infrastructure Implications

This report examines the grain-handling system and the infrastructure that supports it. The first part of the report briefly identifies transportation funding issues before Congress that are particularly relevant to grain shippers. The report then describes how grain is delivered to market, including long-term trends taking place and the underlying reasons for those trends. The final part identifies some of the implications these trends have for targeting future investment in the grain-handling system

Intermodal Rail Freight: A Role for Federal Funding?

As Congress considers reauthorization of federal highway and transit programs and funding, currently provided by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21, P.L. 105-178), one issue being discussed is the role of freight rail in the nation’s transportation system. Economic and trade growth, along with growing congestion on certain parts of the nation’s interstate highway system, has focused attention on the ability of the railroads to divert more truck traffic to rail. However, the railroads are currently operating at close to capacity. Many rail analysts question whether the railroads are making sufficient profit to add adequate capacity to their intermodal network. This raises the issue of whether the government could or should assist the railroads in expanding the capacity of their infrastructure. And if so, how a funding program could be arranged

Intermodal Connectors: A Method For Improving Transportation Efficiency?

As Congress considers reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation legislation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21, P.L. 105- 178), which expires in September 2003, one issue policymakers are examining is the flow of commerce to and from U.S. cargo hubs. Recent Department of Transportation (DOT) studies have found persistent traffic bottlenecks and inadequate access to freight transfer facilities. The pavement of access roads, in many cases are in poor condition and the roads have deficient geometrics (limited turning radii at intersections, low clearances, inadequate shoulder width, etc.) for the heavy truck traffic they serve