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