Optimizing Wartime Materiel Delivery: An Overview of DoD containerization. Volume 1. Past Efforts and Current Issues. Revision

PDFTech ReportContainersContainerizationIntermodal servicesPhysical distributionLogisticsManagement and organizationUnited StatesWoodman, DonnaCoughlin, Joseph F.Wolfe, MichaelJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S.)EG & G DynatrendUnited States. Dept. of DefenseNTL-FREIGHT-FREIGHTNTL-FREIGHT-Freight Planning and PolicyNTL-FREIGHT-IntermodalismVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThis report presents the findings of a study conducted by the Transportation System Center (TSC), Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), on containerization in the wartime Department of Defense logistics system. The broad goal of this study is to support the optimal delivery of materiel during deployment and sustainment in a container-dominated environment. The target is achieving the best, not necessarily the maximum, use of containers. The study team conducted a detailed assessment of containerization efforts, programs and capabilities in several areas. These areas included operating concepts, doctrine and policies, management, hardware issues, total system assessments, requirements estimates, specialized container programs, and commercial trends. The time frame for the assessment was 1970 through 1988. The study team used a combination of interviews and literature review to identify issues and determine the extent to which they have been resolved/considered by DOD elements. This included the review of several hundred reports and studies, and the conduct of interviews with representatives of numerous organizations in DOD, DOT and industry. After intergrating the findings of the research into a meaningful picture of unresolved issues, a recommended framework for action was developed