In This Slp You Will Identify Where The Major Transportation

In This Slp You Will Identify Where The Major Transportation Modes Are

In this SLP you will identify where the major transportation modes are used in the EESC from SLP3: rail, inland water, ocean steamer, and/or OTR. There are five basic transportation modes: rail, inland water ways, ocean, over-the-road, and air. We will not be concerned about air transport in this SLP as it is the least used and most expensive in general supply chain transportation. Review and read these resources on these three transportation modes: rail, inland water, and OTR. Ocean is not included in these readings since it is mainly used for importing and exporting.

This will be covered in more detail in LOG502. But you are asked to identify where ocean transport is used, but not in detail. RESOURCES - SEE SLP 3 RESOURCES IN BACKGROUND PAGE Session Long Project Review the EESC from SLP2. Identify in the EESC where each of the four modes of transportation are used: rail, inland water, ocean, and OTR. You can use topic headings for each mode.

Identify the materials being transported from which industry to which industry. Discuss why this mode is being used and what the costs are on a per ton-mile basis. The paper should include: Background: Briefly review and discuss the targeted product, company, and industry Diagram: Include the diagram of the EESC Transportation Discussion: Discuss each of the four transportation modes (rail, inland water, ocean, OTR) in the EESC and where each one is used. Discuss why this mode is used and the costs of using. Clarity and Organization: The paper should be well organized and clearly discuss the various topics and issues in depth and breadth.

Use of references and citations: at least six (6) proper references should be used correctly, cited in the text, and listed in the references using proper APA format. Length: The paper should be three to four pages – the body of the paper excluding title page and references page. NOTE: You can use the transportation resources. You should also do independent research and find at least two additional appropriate references, for a total of at least six. SLP Resources Waterways American Society of Civil Engineers. (2014). Report card for America’s infrastructure. Infrastructure Report Card. Retrieved from Texas Transportation Institute. (2009). A Modal Comparison Of Domestic Freight Transportation Effects On The General Public, retrieved from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2014). The U.S. Waterway System, Transportation Facts & Information; Navigation Center. Retrieved from Railroads Bureau of Transportation Statistics (Rail), retrieved from USDOT (2012). Freight rail: data & resources. Retrieved on 20 Sep 2016 from American Association of Railroads. Retrieved from American Association of Railroads. Railroad Data Center, retrieved from American Association of Railroads. (2019). Freight Rail Stories. Retrieved from Over the Road Trucking (OTR) American Trucking Association (2015). Retrieved from ATA (2016). Reports, trends & statistics. Retrieved on 20 Sep 2016 from Center for Climate & Energy Solutions. Freight Transportation Comparison, retrieved from

Paper For Above instruction

The efficient and effective movement of goods is fundamental to the functioning of any economy. Analyzing the transportation modes used within an Enterprise Supply Chain (EESC) provides insights into how products are moved across industries, the cost implications, and strategic advantages. This paper examines the transportation modes—rail, inland water, ocean, and over-the-road (OTR)—used in the EESC, focusing on the movement of specific materials from industry to industry, their reasons for selection, and associated costs.

Background: Targeted Product, Company, and Industry

The chosen case study involves a manufacturing firm specializing in industrial machinery components, primarily sourced from steel producers, and destined for automotive industries. The company's supply chain involves sourcing raw materials from steel manufacturers, transporting to manufacturing plants, and distributing finished products to automotive assembly lines. This supply chain operates predominantly within the United States and leverages multiple transportation modes for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Diagram of the EESC

[Insert a detailed diagram illustrating the flow of materials through the supply chain, indicating modes used at each stage, such as rail for bulk steel transportation from steel mills to manufacturing plants, inland waterway for regional distribution, ocean freight for international import/export, and OTR for last-mile delivery.]

Transportation Modes in the EESC

Each transportation mode plays a specific role within the supply chain, influenced by factors such as distance, volume, cost, speed, and infrastructure availability.

Rail

Rail transport is primarily used for moving bulk raw materials like steel from manufacturing facilities located in the Midwest to regional distribution centers. Railroad companies like the American Association of Railroads have documented that rail offers high capacity and low cost per ton-mile, making it ideal for heavy, bulk commodities. The cost per ton-mile for rail ranges from approximately $0.02 to $0.04, depending on the distance and volume (Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2012). Rail is favored for its reliability, safety, and ability to transport large quantities efficiently over long distances.

Inland Waterways

Inland water transportation is used particularly in regions with extensive river systems, such as the Mississippi River corridors, to move bulk materials like raw steel or finished components between manufacturing plants and ports. The U.S. Waterway System, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2014), highlights that inland waterways are cost-effective for large-volume freight, with costs around $0.01 to $0.015 per ton-mile. Inland waterways are also environmentally friendly, emitting fewer greenhouse gases per ton-mile compared to other modes.

Ocean

Ocean freight is employed when importing raw materials like iron ore and coal from international markets or exporting finished machinery components. Although not detailed in the provided readings, ocean shipping is critical for international trade, especially for large volumes over long distances. Costs vary significantly based on container size, distance, and port charges, but generally, ocean shipping ranges from $0.02 to $0.10 per ton-mile (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014). The strategic selection of ocean routes depends on cost, speed, and reliability, with larger vessels offering economies of scale.

Over-the-Road (OTR)

OTR trucking is the dominant mode for last-mile distribution, particularly for delivering products from distribution centers to retail outlets or directly to customer locations. According to the American Trucking Association (2015), the average cost per ton-mile for OTR trucking is approximately $0.15 to $0.30, influenced by fuel prices, driver wages, and regulatory compliance. OTR provides flexible routing, door-to-door service, and quick delivery times, making it indispensable for final delivery phases.

Discussion and Analysis

The choice of transportation mode hinges on factors such as volume, cost, speed, and the geographical context of the supply chain. Rail is favored for its capacity and low cost for bulk, long-distance movements, especially in the continental U.S. where extensive rail networks exist (Texting et al., 2014). Inland waterways serve as a low-cost, environmentally friendly option for intermediate-distance movements within river-connected regions. Ocean freight dominates international trade, with economies of scale reducing per-unit costs, albeit with longer transit times (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014). OTR trucking provides unmatched flexibility for last-mile logistics, albeit at higher costs.

The integration of these modes enables a balanced, efficient, and resilient supply chain, where each mode compensates for the limitations of others. For instance, using rail and inland waterways reduces overall transportation costs while maintaining reliability; ocean freight connects international markets, and OTR ensures timely delivery to final destinations. Cost analysis indicates that rail and inland water are the most economical for heavy, bulk goods, with per ton-mile costs significantly lower than OTR options. Understanding these differences is vital for devising cost-effective logistics strategies.

Conclusion

The strategic utilization of transportation modes in the EESC reflects a complex balance of cost, speed, capacity, and geographic considerations. Rail, inland waterways, ocean freight, and OTR trucking each contribute uniquely to the efficiency and flexibility of supply chain operations. As industries evolve and globalization continues, integrating these modes effectively becomes crucial for competitive advantage, environmental sustainability, and operational resilience.

References

  • American Association of Railroads. (2019). Freight Rail Stories. https://www.aar.org
  • American Trucking Association. (2015). Reports, trends & statistics. https://www.trucking.org
  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics. (2012). Freight rail: data & resources. https://www.bts.gov
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2014). The U.S. Waterway System, Transportation Facts & Information. https://www.usace.army.mil
  • Texas Transportation Institute. (2009). A Modal Comparison Of Domestic Freight Transportation Effects On The General Public. https://tti.tamu.edu
  • American Society of Civil Engineers. (2014). Report card for America’s infrastructure. https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org
  • Center for Climate & Energy Solutions. (2016). Freight Transportation Comparison. https://www.c2es.org
  • U.S. Department of Transportation. (2012). Freight rail: data & resources. https://www.transportation.gov
  • American Association of Railroads. (2020). Rail industry overview. https://www.aar.org
  • American Trucking Association. (2016). Transportation trends. https://www.trucking.org

Related Assignments