INTERMODALISM: THE CHALLENGE AND THE PROMISE

Intermodalism is the seamless movement of goods or people from origin to destination, using several modes of transportation. An intermodal system is one in which the individual modes of transportation are linked, governed, and managed in a manner that creates a seamless and sustainable transportation system. Such a system should be economically efficient, environmentally sound, safe and secure, and ethically based. This paper discusses the state of intermodalism in the U.S. today - its achievements, the expectations that it arouses, and the issues that must be dealt with if the U.S. is to achieve the intermodal system that is required to meet the challenges generated by domestic needs and by the changes that are sweeping the world. The paper includes a discussion of the reasons that intermodal freight transportation is much more prevalent in the U.S. than intermodal passenger transportation. It also discusses possible solutions for improving this situation.