Conventionally, the transport system was segmented and un-integrated due to
competition. There by, each mode sought to exploit its own advantages in
terms of cost, service, reliability and safety. But in the last 50 years or
so, major efforts have been made to integrate separate transport systems
through "intermodalism". In this, at least two different modes in
a trip from origin to destination are used.
Currently, the transportation systems having several modes can be
considered from two different conceptual perspectives:
Intermodal Transportation NetworkIt is a logistically linked system that uses two or more transport modes
with a single rate. However, it is ensured that the modes have common
handling characteristics, permitting easy transfer of the freight (or
people) during a movement between an origin and a destination.
Multimodal Transportation NetworkIn this, there is a set of transport modes that offers connections between
origin and destination point. Here although intermodal transportation is
possible, it does not necessarily occur. In order to take goods; household,
office or commercial, from one place to another, the moving and packing
companies present a wide number of options to the customers worldwide.
Whatever the load or whatever the need, the moving and packing agencies
have the vessels and expertise to deliver it safely. The choice of the
transportation mode depends on several factors like: the weight and volume
of the goods, timeliness, budget, legal guidelines etc.
Common mode of transportation include:
Lift Van
Used for storage as well as
transportation, lift vans are generally used when the total shipment weighs
less than 4,000 pounds. Lift-vans are usually lined with water-resistant
paper and may be caulked as necessary to keep the goods dry. After caulking,
steel straps are placed around the outside to secure the lift-van. Though
custom made sizes can be there, the standard sizes are 185 to 210 cubic
feet. They also offer the advantage of easy inspection for custom clearance.
Tempos
A popular mode of surface
transportation, tempos are much in use by the moving and packing agencies.
They are mostly used in Asian countries to move the household goods during
the relocation process. Reliable, fast and economical, these are specially
helpful in local and domestic transportation. They offer the convenience of
door to door pick up and delivery.
Mini Trucks
Spacious, fast and easy to
handle, mini trucks also offer a good transportation option in the surface
travel facility. These might display car-like features like two-toned seats,
clear instrument cluster, utility trays, magazine pockets, twin-blade,
twin-speed wipers and combination switches. The best part is that they does
not need a professional driver. So, they are extremely useful in self moving
option.
Containers
Containers are used worldwide
for the moving and packing purpose as containerization allows the mechanized
handling of cargoes of diverse types and dimensions, that are placed into
boxes of standard dimensions. In this way goods that might have taken days
to be loaded or unloaded from a ship can now be handled in a matter of
minutes. The container is a load unit that can be used by several transport
modes. Indeed, the container is usable by maritime, railway and road modes,
making it an essential part of intermodal transportation. The usage of
containers shows the complementarity between freight transportation modes by
offering a higher fluidity to movements and a standardization of loads.
Trailers
Useful in rail as well as road
transportation, truck trailers are used for moving freight. Typically,
regular semi-trailers can be used in their standard form only and need not
be specially designed. In cease pf transport by rail, semi-trailers are
transported on railway flatcars. This arrangement is called "piggyback"
Steamship Containers
Resembling motor
freight trailers, steamship containers are mainly manufactured using good
quality steel. Due to their robust construction, they allow for best
protection of a shipment as compared to other containers. These containers
can only be used by ocean carriers and are not be fit for storage purposes.
If the minimum weight and volume criteria is met with buy the goods, lower
transportation charges are an additional advantage.
These are used for bulky shipments and have the capacity to hold more than one lift van. To effectively use a steamship container, a minimum of 700
cubic feet (approximately 4,000 pounds) is suggested. Also, it must be
checked if it can be shipped in the destination country (some foreign
countries do not allow it).
Air Freight Containers
These containers
have particular standards of construction. The construction is restricted to
certain dimensional specifications in order to pass through aircraft cargo
doors. It is made up of a triple-layered corrugated cardboard and range in
size from 18 to 96 cubic feet. The larger air freight containers are fitted
with skids for ease in moving with a forklift.
