Application of Computer-Integrated Transportation to Commercial Vehicle Operations

Computer-integrated transportation (CIT) is envisioned as an integrated network of public and private transportation organizations, each of which has unique responsibilities but is working toward a common mission of facilitating travel across all modes of transportation. The research on CIT is extended to commercial vehicle operations, specifically to examine how government can work with trucking companies (i.e., motor carriers) within a CIT framework. The research entailed a review of how government currently interacts with trucking companies, interviews with trucking terminal managers, and case studies of terminal operations at five of the nation's largest motor carriers. Opportunities are identified in the area of unifying the interaction between government and industry (along four lines: licensing, roadway information, incident clearance, and enforcement) and in the area of in-vehicle devices for automated record keeping.