Transportation Industry 2004
Abstract
This paper presents a strategic-level examination of the transportation industry -- an industry vital to national prosperity and security. Because the defense sector relies on commercial transportation for both peacetime activities and for power projection, senior military leaders must understand the global transportation industry and the environment in which the private sector operates. They must also assess the role of government in determining transportation policy, as federal, state, and local agencies regulate every mode of this industry. While the U.S. transportation industry functions well today, the industry must address several challenges, particularly in light of forecasts that global trade will double by 2020. Issues common across all modes of transportation include the growth of intermodal transport, the capital-intensive nature of the industry structure, the need to carefully focus technological investment, planning for infrastructure capacity, replacing an aging workforce, and coping with uncertain fuel costs. Security concerns following the terrorist attacks of September 11 require transportation leaders to regularly conduct risk assessments and provide additional security when warranted. These initiatives have been prudently balanced with the need to provide reliable, cost-effective transportation to fuel the economic engine of the United States. After defining the industry in terms of each of the five different modes (i.e.,shipping, trucking, railroads, air, and pipelines), this report reviews the industry's current conditions, challenges, outlook, and government roles and regulations. Also included are three essays on subjects current to the industry: Aviation Treaties, Short Sea Shipping, and Tanker-Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). Given what the authors learned firsthand from government and private industry leaders, they conclude that the U.S. transportation industry is generally in good health and should remain so for the foreseeable future. 7
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA435197
Entities
People
- Dennis M. Brogan
- Evan W. Miller
- Nathan Kathir
Organizations
- Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy