Effective Utilization of Innovation Techniques within Mississippi\u2019s Intermodal Professional Workforce

016049322015PDFTech ReportNCITEC Project No. 2013-18ConferencesCooperationEconomicsFreight transportationInnovationIntermodal transportationProfessional personnelAdministration and ManagementEconomicsFreight TransportationUnited StatesMississippiMississippi State University. National Center for Intermodal Transportation for Economic CompetitivenessPuryear, Stephen M.Walden, Clayton T.Mississippi State University. Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems ExtensionUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThis project focused on enhancing the professional workforce within Mississippi's intermodal transportation industry. This was accomplished through a series of "Intermodal Transportation Innovation Summits" that brought together transportation professionals representing organizations throughout the extended supply chain (e.g., manufacturers, truck, rail, water, and ports). These Summits were held across the state - centering on the North, Central, and Southern regions. Summit participants were introduced to the concepts - termed Innovation Engineering, which generated strong results in the manufacturing sector. These innovation sessions generated a set of actionable projects that the program hopes to engage during a future funding opportunity. The ultimate goal was to enhance the region's economic competitiveness through greater cooperation across transportation modes. The program will impacted 75 transportation professionals from 30 different organizations. The program achieved over $125,000 in tangible economic impact annually, which fully returned the federal award. Also, the program resulted in two conference presentation, so that lessons learned were broadly disseminated. This program was conducted through a broad partnership involving Mississippi State University (CAVS Extension), University of Southern Mississippi (Center for Logistics, Trade, and Transportation), and Innovate Mississippi.75