Double-Stack Containers: Changing the Image of Intermodalism

Intermodalism is seen by some shippers as a new industry emerging within the transportation industry. This thesis provides a basic understanding of the intermodal industry and investigates how the advent of containerization, especially the double-stack container system, has affected the shippers perception of domestic intermodal transportation. As the double-stack network spreads there are signs that this new industry may be able to resolve the problem of fragmentation which has prevented intermodal service from becoming cost-competitive. In addition, containerization and the use of double-stack trains can help streamline the rapid mobilization of military cargo.