SECTOR REPORT
TRANSPORTATION
BY MARINA MAYER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
TOP 5 TRENDS
DRIVING RAIL FORWARD
1. Visibility. Being able to forecast and somewhat prepare for future supply chain disruptions is a key piece to the supply chain puzzle. That’s why many of today’s rail and intermodal providers are implementing supply chain visibility. For starters, KALERIS launched Transport Analytics, a business intelligence offering to increase enterprise analytics across the rail supply chain. Transport Analytics visualization tools and dashboards help users analyze large data sets, aggregate key performance indicators (KPIs) and quickly identify and manage exceptions to improve asset utilization, inventory turns and productivity. And, GS1 developed EPCIS for Rail Vehicle Visibility, a new GS1 application
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standard that allows rail stakeholders to leverage Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) to obtain complete visibility of rolling stock in realtime.
2. Technology and innovation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, developed the Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan to advance rail safety, promote collaboration and transparency, modernize the regulatory environment and prepare the transportation system for disruptions. As discussed in Food Logistics’ SCN Summit: Transportation session (foodl.me/ wc9bwx), 42.9% of survey respondents
One thing rail has been doing a lot of is innovating. Whether it’s implementing augmented reality, holographic projection and 3D laser scanners to shipment visibility solutions, advanced fuel management systems and machine learning, the revival of rail involves everything high tech and operating With a surge in imports and increased e-commerce demand, intermodal continues its streak of monthly year-over-year gains. smarter. Association of American Railroads (AAR)
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or some time, rail remained the underdog in the transportation sector, taking a backseat to its trucking and shipping counterparts. But, when something like the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) strikes, rail becomes the go-to solution for moving goods across the country. Here are Top 5 trends and technologies driving the rail industry forward.
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