Comparative Analysis of Intermodal Connectivity Regulations in the USA and Europe

Abstract

Regulations of Intermodal Connectivity: USA and Europe Comparative Travis Blummer, Lily Duong, Karina Nazario, Bryan Nguyen, Triet Nguyen, Anayeli Palacio [University] Abstract In this paper, we will analyze intermodal connectivity in United States and Europe. Intermodal connectivity allows freight to use a combination of modes for the shipment of goods in a single trip. Historically, freight logistics markets were strictly regulated in both Europe and the United States. Policies, laws, and regulations helped protect existing firms’ position within the sectors. We will dissect the different regulations and investigate through case studies how they interact within intermodal connectivity. We will also aim to identify the components of the intermodal system and analyze the significance of each of those components. The goal is to explore efficiency and effectiveness by connected roadways, rail tracks, maritime ports, and air freight. We will resource measurements of data from which regulations benefit or hinder the surrounding perspective regions. Our group will incorporate references from online books, journals, case studies and segments from different academic papers. Introduction The economies of the United States of America and Europe heavily rely on transportation services. Since the pre-industrial era, significant changes in freight handling and movement have been brought about by variations in the volume and make-up of cargo transported over great distances in both domestic and international markets. Intermodal transportation, a foundational element of today's global trade and American economy, was conceptualized in response to the rising demand for transportation services. The distribution of commodities packaged into a loading unit, such as a container, from the manufacturer to the customer or market is known as intermodal transportation. To increase the effectiveness of the distribution of commodities, it tries to integrate many means of transportation. Since the creation of rail networks, it has historically evolved steadily. During this evolution regulations were implemented in response to enhance intermodal linkages in both countries. Europe's efforts to unify the market and lower obstacles between the member states depend heavily on a well-developed transportation system. One of the key documents that aid in creating a favorable climate for the fusion of transportation operations amongst European nations is the Common Transport Policy. It primarily aims to promote greater deregulation of the transportation markets, stimulate the growth of Trans-European Transport Networks, and strengthen the sustainability of networks. This and other transportation regulations put in place in Europe at the start of the twenty-first century significantly improve market access, notably in the road transport market, and revitalize alternate forms of transportation. In the U.S., one of the main laws intended to encourage intermodal logistics operations in the nation is the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which offers a framework for the creation of "a National Intermodal System that shall consist of all forms of transportation in a unified, interconnected manner." The given regulation had several significant effects, including more adaptable intermodal funding options, the development of shared public-private investments, facilitated market access, and increased competition among shippers, which also led to lower transaction costs associated with transportation. These are just an example of the regulations placed, however some of these regulations implemented in the USA and Europe made it more challenging for the intermodal transportation to develop due to organizations having to adhere to rigorous guidelines. In this essay we will further explore more of the regulations implemented in the United States and Europe and further explain how it made the development on intermodal connectivity more challenging or how they were implemented to improve freight flow efficiency and were used to address transportation issues. After this introduction, the paper will be divided into four primary sections, in the first we examine The United States regulations and their effectiveness. The second part will be Europe's regulations and their effectiveness. Third will be the comparison between the USA and Europe. And lastly, contrasting between intermodal regulations in USA and Europe. USA Regulations The American Charter, which lays down the principles for the national system of the USA, in addition to several civil freedoms, represents the most significant level of defined and informal forms of legislation. The Charter provides the parameters of national rules, which consist of the laws of Congress, treaties passed by the Senate, executive branch regulations, and national court precedent. The formal collection and compilation of broad and enduring national legislation are U.S laws. Many laws and regulations have been formed due to their significance. First, the ADA or American Disability Act is one such which protects the rights of disabled people in the country. Secondly, there are various environmental protection laws, regarding air pollution and various other laws and regulations that the people must obey to keep the environment clean. The U.S. also enforces wildlife endangerment and gun laws in the country. Furthermore, federal laws and impeachment laws are also commonly debate as these laws are often seen to need updating by the opposite party. (Komai, Richardson, 2011) Since the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1992 was passed, the United States has proved incredibly efficient in implementing intermodal linkages that allow cargo or people to use a variety of modes of transportation (ISTEA). The railway benefits from the intermodal's increased security level. Unlike trucks, which are out on open roadways and left unsupervised at varying moments along their path towards location and destination, railroads are either in active on the tracks or in protected railyards. The daily transport about intermodal freight transport is often brief. As a result, the load is always traveling while in transit, whether picked up at the source or delivered to its destination. With intermodal becoming a numerous interaction as opposed to a truck cargo that is indicative of one connection, the U.S. Intermodal routes regulations guarantee dependable capability. This is so that a dray operator may make many round journeys from the terminal to both terminal points within a given day. Intermodal containers move twice as much as elevated railroads. The national government has vigorously enforced this rule, and any violations, are subject to severe penalties (Gordon et al. 2018). Shipping companies and passengers have more transit options thanks to interconnectivity than they would have with disconnected, duplicate networks. Intermodal passenger facilities improve the sustainability of towns by providing people with various transit alternatives and facilitating connections for passengers. The U.S. Intermodal pathways laws provide reliable capability when intermodal shifts from a transport freight that is suggestive of a single link to multiple interactions. This allows a dray loader to go back and forth several times back and forth from the port to both terminal points in a single day. Twice as many intermodal units go on elevated rails. Federal transportation regulations keep American commuters secure and the network operating. Airbags and safety belts are required by federal law to safeguard passengers and motorists in automobiles. Federal standards guarantee that the jet was serviced and that commercial flights are safely controlled. Federal legislation also controls commuter rail safety equipment. Additionally, they set the daily rest requirements for drivers of commercial trucks. State regulations, however, govern issues like the velocities of individual and trade road traffic, the licensing for the public and company cars, and the minimum levels of insurance necessary for several types of automobiles. (Komai, Richardson 2011) The Federal government effectively controls the railroad in the USA through the Federal Railroad America. FRA uses a variety of methods to carry out its duties of overseeing the integrity of the country's railway infrastructure and the growth of interstate railway transport. The organization ensures that railway regulation is under command primarily by effective legislative rules and laws. Supervision is also helped by leadership and operational norms. The Staggers Rail Act of 1980, specific legislation of the U. S which removed the legislative framework that had been in effect since the International Transportation Act of 1887 and significantly modernized the American railway business. (Gordon et al, 2018). Europe Regulations The European commissioner has set up policies to help regulate Europe intermodal activity. The process of implementing policies and regulations has been a slow but efficient process. Most of Europe’s main mode of transportation is railroad followed by road transportation. Railroad is the fastest growing infrastructure in Europe, and it is increasing over time. Europe’s rail tracks are government-owned, and rail operators provide services on these tracks. (Langen et al., 2017) The European rail freight market was liberalized to try to reduce competition among the national rail system. To help develop and establish a common ground, the European Community has established projects like SIMET (Smart InterModal European Transfer) to help with the improvement of efficiency in all modes of transportation by sharing information and technological developments. Some factors that affect the policy and procedure of the transportation policies include current highway congestion and projected growth in road traffic, increasing cost of new road infrastructure, density of population in the northwest part of the EC, pressure of the environmental lobby, and unused capacity in the rail and waterways. (FHWA study tour for European Intermodal Programs: Planning, policy, and ...). Europeans' main concerns are environmental issues, highway congestion and innovation. (Radar) However, Europeans are well into the process of focusing on balancing passenger transportation, freight transportation, and environmental needs. Regulations in Europe are altered to be efficient to what is best practice. For example, a European regulation includes a one-stop shop for authorization, cutting overall maximum authorization periods to three years and introducing more effective overseeing of the processes (Radar). The European rail freight is used for long distance since they have proposed a new concept for short distance rail. The use of their metric system is based on kilometers and if the distance is between 300 to 500 kilometers (about 310.69 mi), they will have to innovate on how to transport it because it would not be an economical benefit. For example, for a short distance they may consider short sea shipping or inland waterways to reduce highway pollution. The European community has established a 44-ton weight limit for the trucks that are used for combined transportation. Also, they are allowing new railway operations for international routes, and allowing open access for new railways. The European railways are among the safest in the world and the Europeans are continuing to keep up with high standards and balance safety requirements. The Directive 2012/34/EU aims to clarify the legal rules that apply to the European Union to improve quality through stimulating competition, to strengthen market supervision, and to improve conditions for investment. For regulatory control, Directive 2012/34/EU strengthens the independence of national regulatory bodies that oversee the national rail market. (A single railway network for Europe). They may carry out an audit to make sure everything is working as it should and make them responsible for rail safety and licensing. The Directive (EU) 2016/2370 gives power to monitor traffic management, renewal planning, and schedule and unscheduled maintenance work. It also ensures equal access to tracks and stations. The European policy makers signed The Maastricht Treaty in 1992, that states people, goods, services, and capital can circulate free of internal barriers (FHWA study tour for European Intermodal Programs: Planning, policy, and ...). Overall, the European policies and regulations have come a long way from the start, but they are still improving and finding innovative ideas to improve their intermodal connectivity. Comparison In this section, we will be analyzing the comparison between the United States’ and Europe’s regulations on intermodal connectivity. Intermodal modes such as air, truck, waterways, and rail are competitors, but it is necessary for the different modes...