What Can We Learn From the Recent Surge in Railway Accidents?

Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Rail

What Can We Learn From the Recent Surge in Railway Accidents?

December 23rd, 2023 Ellie Gabel Leave a comment

The past few years have seen a worrying surge in railway accidents, particularly those involving hazardous materials. By analyzing the leading causes behind these accidents, transportation and logistics leaders can take action to improve rail safety. How serious is the increase in rail transportation accidents, and what are the main takeaways?

You can also Read 8 Reasons for Trucking Accidents & How to Avoid Them

Are Railway Accidents Really Increasing?

The past several years have seen headlines about several severe railway accidents, particularly train derailments. For instance, in 2023, 50 cars were derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, 20 of which contained hazardous materials. The derailment resulted in soil, water and air pollution, forcing over 1,000 people to evacuate the area. While train derailments are fairly common, incidents on this scale are not. However, they seem to be a growing risk.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that train accidents have decreased significantly over the past 20 years. There were less than 2,000 total rail accidents in 2022, down from over 3,000 per year in 2004.

Injuries and fatalities due to rail accidents have decreased, as well. In 2017, there were 8,892 total reported injuries and 817 deaths. In 2022, there were 6,252 injuries and 954 deaths. However, it is worth noting that more injuries were reported in 2022 than in 2021 or 2020. 2022 had the highest rail accident injury rate since 2019.

There are a few important takeaways from this data. Overall, railway accidents are generally less common than 10 or 20 years ago. Recent data shows that accidents and injuries may be on the rise again, though. For instance, there were more rail accident deaths in 2022 than in 2017.

This trend applies to train derailments, as well. Derailments have fallen sharply over the past few decades. There were 2,639 derailments in 2004, while there were only 1,259 in 2022. However, there were more derailments in 2022 than in 2021 or 2020. Derailments make up 71% of all train accidents.

The Role of Infrastructure, Maintenance and Workers

The increase in railway accidents is certainly concerning, but analyzing the cause of this trend may help reverse it. Rail accidents are on the rise due to a combination of factors, mainly infrastructure, maintenance and worker-related issues.

Infrastructure

One of the leading underlying causes of rail accidents today is aging infrastructure. Derailments are often the result of malfunctions or mechanical failures with the tracks or roadbeds, the structures that form the base of the tracks. Like any infrastructure, railways can degrade over time and lose structural integrity, especially if they aren’t getting adequate maintenance.

The issue of train length is also a factor here. Freight train length has steadily increased over recent years, with some trains reaching nearly 3 miles long. The longer a train gets, the harder it becomes to control. Poor control can have serious consequences for safety, operations and rail infrastructure since longer trains put more physical strain on the tracks.

The takeaway here is clear — railway infrastructure needs more attention. In some cases, this simply means better track maintenance. However, in other areas, it may require large-scale updates to aging, unsafe infrastructure.

Updates may be more critical in the states with the most rail traffic and the most rail accidents. As of 2022, Illinois and Texas are nearly tied for most derailments, both with over 13,000 on record since 1975. The two second-place states, Pennsylvania and California, have roughly half that many recorded derailments. These high accident rates can point analysts toward the states needing rail infrastructure updates most.

Maintenance

The way railways and trains are cared for has a major impact on safety. If rail operators cut corners or fail to provide enough time for maintenance, the likelihood of an accident increases.

Countless details go into ensuring rail safety. Something as simple as a malfunctioning bearing can trigger a serious accident. The high accident rates in the rail industry today indicate that rail companies need to allow more time for their employees to inspect and repair trains and railways adequately.

Maintenance is especially critical in hazardous materials transport. Sadly, many serious rail accidents in recent years have involved hazardous materials, including the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and an explosion at a rail yard in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hazardous materials already have strict regulations for storage and transportation safety. For instance, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires containers for hazardous materials to meet safety and design regulations to minimize the risk of a spill. Considering the extreme damage from train derailments involving hazardous materials, rail companies may need to adopt even higher standards for their freight cars.

Technology may also help address maintenance problems. Automation can help cover employment gaps and reduce the likelihood of mechanical issues going unnoticed. Rail companies could use technologies like sensors connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive maintenance equipment to improve train car monitoring and prevent accidents.

Rail Workers

Human error is one of the leading causes behind rail accidents, but that may not entirely be rail workers’ fault. The number of people working in rail transportation in the U.S. fell 73% between 1980 and 2020, from 539,700 workers to 144,500. Between November 2018 and December 2020, the industry lost over 40,000 jobs.

At the same time, rail traffic has remained relatively steady. Since significantly fewer people work in rail yards and on trains than there used to be, smaller teams have to support a workload designed for far more people.

This shift means it’s much more difficult for rail employees to keep up with the demands of their jobs. The increased stress is a major cause of high workplace accident and injury rates. Stress also means rail employees are more likely to make mistakes on the job, contributing to the increasing rates of rail accidents.

Understaffing is a particularly big issue in maintenance. Many rail accidents are entirely preventable but happen anyway because a mechanical failure goes unnoticed. This fact indicates that rail employees may need more time to conduct thorough inspections. Allowing more time and resources could prevent hundreds of accidents.

Improving Railway Safety

The past few years have seen a sharp increase in railway accidents, particularly those involving hazardous materials. A few main factors are driving the uptick in rail accidents, including poor infrastructure, inadequate maintenance and staffing cuts. By addressing the leading causes behind recent rail accidents, transportation and logistics leaders can take action to improve rail safety for everyone.

Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Rail

Railroads Reach Agreement to Create New Direct Connection and Corridor Linking Mexico, Texas and the U.S. Southeast

July 5th, 2023 Tim Jay Leave a comment

Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CSX Corporation (NASDAQ: CSX) (CSX) and Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) today announced they have reached agreements that when completed will create a new direct CPKC-CSX interchange connection in Alabama.

As part of the series of proposed transactions, CPKC and CSX would each acquire or operate portions of Meridian & Bigbee Railroad, L.L.C. (MNBR), a G&W-owned railway in Mississippi and Alabama, to establish a new freight corridor for shippers that connects Mexico, Texas and the U.S. Southeast.

The MNBR runs between Meridian, Miss. and Montgomery, Ala., and currently is operated under a combination of ownership and operating agreements.

Under the agreements announced today, CPKC would acquire and operate the segment of the MNBR between Meridian and Myrtlewood, Ala. and CSX would operate the lines currently leased by MNBR east of Myrtlewood. As a result, CPKC and CSX would establish a direct CPKC-CSX interchange at or near Myrtlewood, Ala. In exchange, G&W would acquire certain Canadian properties owned by CPKC and other rights. MNBR would receive rights to continue to provide local service to existing customers on former MNBR-owned lines and connect with other railroads without interchange restrictions.

Terms of the transactions were not disclosed and will be addressed in definitive agreements that the parties have agreed to negotiate. Certain portions of the transactions are subject to regulatory review and approval from, or exemption by, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Rail

Norfolk Southern Under a Regulatory Microscope

April 7th, 2023 Peter Frerichs Leave a comment

Train derailments, like accidents in any industrial environment, can cripple rail providers. Norfolk Southern understands this better than most. The Atlanta-based railway was riddled with accidents in December 2021, and when their derailment in East Palestine, Ohio occurred in early February 2023, releasing toxic chemicals and bringing forth a series of lawsuits, Norfolk Southern found themselves under the regulatory microscope of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The entity initiated a special probe into Norfolk Southern’s safety culture, something quite rare for the NTSB. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) followed with a separate probe and at the center of Norfolk Southern’s practices (as well as many other large railroad operators) is something called precision-scheduled railroading (PSR).

Conceived to improve overall service and ensure operations are more efficient, PSR advocates point to some inarguable Norfolk Southern results – a 28% drop in total employment and increased revenue per each ton of freight moved.

As a result, the railway drove more money into dividends and stock buybacks thus pleasing investors.

Opponents of PSR, however, have intimated that the changes have not improved safety, and may have made existing situations worse. Overall derailments have decreased by more than half for major railroads since 2000. Norfolk Southern implemented PSR in 2019 and reported its fewest derailments in 2022 (compared to the previous decade). Yet, anecdotal evidence points to a greater “hurry up and get it done” mentality since Covid-19 that appears to be affecting some operators.

A prominent, bipartisan rail-safety bill has been making its way through Congress. Norfolk management supports several provisions in the bill that will bolster notification, equipment, and training for first responders. Also addressed are more stringent requirements for tank cars with hazardous materials. There is a sizeable contingent that has spoken forcefully surrounding the overall industry’s safety culture, much of it predating PSR. In many respects, this is nothing new. But it is notable that the FRA has received more complaints in recent years citing working too many hours and safety incidents. To put this into context, roughly 200 were received in 2020 while approximately 500 were received in 2021. The number dropped to nearly 400 last year.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News, Rail, Uncategorized

Locomotive Engineers Are Onboard for the Bipartisan Rail Safety Act of 2023

March 5th, 2023 Tim Jay Leave a comment

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) backs the Rail Safety Act of 2023 that would require more stringent rail safety standards, but the nation’s oldest union says the two-person crew requirement doesn’t go far enough and should be amended. “You can run a freight train through the loopholes,” says BLET National President Eddie Hall.

A bipartisan bill introduced on March 1 by three Republican and three Democratic senators is designed to toughen safety standards on America’s railroads. “Right now our nation’s railroads largely self-regulate,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Eddie Hall. “We welcome greater federal oversight and a crackdown on railroads that seem all too willing to trade safety for higher profits.”

The Rail Safety Act of 2023 would set limits on train length for the first time. Some freight trains now exceed three miles in length. The train that derailed last month in East Palestine, Ohio was nearly two miles long. The bill also seeks to place restrictions on the weight of trains. It would set standards for railcar maintenance, track maintenance, wayside defect detectors and raise standards for tank cars carrying hazardous materials, among other changes.

While the proposed legislation states that: No freight train may be operated without a 2-person crew consisting of at least 1 appropriately qualified and certified conductor and 1 appropriately qualified and certified locomotive engineer, the exceptions are significant.

America's Leading 3PLs, Archives, Features, Global Trade Daily

GLOBAL TRADE’S TOP 3PLs OF 2020

November 26th, 2020 Taylor Girardi Leave a comment

We’ve been saying it for years: The world is becoming an increasingly global place. We can get nearly anything on Earth in less than a few days, but someone has to get it to us. That’s where third-party logistics comes into play.

This year has thus far been a year unlike any other, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. With supply shortages and more people shopping from home out of safety concerns, we’ve relied heavily upon third-party logistics (3PLs) to bring us much-needed supplies. In fact, in an economy where many businesses are struggling to survive, many 3PLs are holding their own due to the coronavirus.

But it’s not enough to just be a 3PL—even during a pandemic. Logistics customers are demanding more from their 3PLs. In a world of Amazon Prime, they want their shipments to arrive faster, and for less money. They want to manage their inventory with the touch of a button, right from their smart device. They want personalized service that is tailored to their individual business needs, and to feel like even though they are one of many customers, they are important, no matter how big or small their account is.

The following 3PLs embody all of the characteristics mentioned above. From the smallest family-owned establishment to the largest global providers, these 50 companies work tirelessly to ensure the best customer experience possible, from start to finish.

A.N. Deringer

The largest, privately-held customs broker in North America, A.N. Deringer was founded in 1919 by Alfred Neel Deringer. For more than 100 years, the St. Albans, Vermont-based company has offered services ranging from customs brokerage to warehousing, distribution and customs compliance consulting. A.N. Deringer ranks fifth overall for the quantity of entries field, and has won the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” designation from 2017-2019.

Transamerica Express

The group-member-owned 3PL has more than 40 years of combined experience in the industry. With over 120,000 carriers under contract, Transamerica Express can offer customizable solutions to everyone from small businesses to larger, Fortune 500 companies. The rapidly growing concern was ranked highest in Inc.’s 500 “Nation’s Fastest-Growing Companies” list in 2019 and 2020.

Sunset Transportation

Founded in 1989 by Jim Williams, Sunset Transportation’s flexible business model serves mid-market businesses with a variety of logistics solutions. The company recently celebrated its 30th year by instating a new, cross-border Mexico/U.S. solutions program and upgrading to a new 45,000-square-foot headquarters. Sunset Transportation was ranked No. 8 on Inbound Logistics’ Top 10 3PL Providers list in 2019, their second time making the top ten.

ODW Logistics

Founded as Ohio Distribution Warehouse Corp. in 1971 by Bob Ness and John Berend, the company started out serving only the Ohio area. ODW Logistics has since expanded beyond the Buckeye State and across the nation, offering supply chain solutions for hundreds of companies of all sizes.

FW Logistics

FW Logistics began in 1949 as a food grade storage facility. Today, the 3PL offers a full range of logistics services, including warehousing, trucking, logistics and fulfillment. Specializing in everything from dry storage to hazmat storage, the company boasts 7 million square feet of warehousing strategically located throughout the United States.

R2 Logistics

R2 Logistics prides itself on offering real-time visibility and a full suite of logistics solutions. The company has no automated phones, and customers are easily put in contact with account executives and support staff. R2 Logistics uses cutting-edge logistics technology to streamline processes and has a strong network of preferred partners to help ensure customers are getting the services they need, when they need them.

Dependable Global Express (DGX)

DGX consists of five integrated divisions which work harmoniously as a single shipping resource. Offering customized freight solutions to their customers, DGX can handle every step of your 3PL journey in one convenient package. They use state-of-the-art software to present customers with comprehensive reporting and real-time shipment tracking.

Flat World Global Solutions

Founded in 2006, Flat World Global Solutions offers customizable, contract-free solutions to clients of all sizes. Their customer service and cutting-edge technology keep Flat World Global Solutions lean, allowing them to grow quickly and maintain a high client retention rate—even without contracts. Flat World Global Solutions earned the distinction of Vendor of the Year from a top-10 client, and they have won a St. Louis Post Dispatch “Top Places to Work” designation in both 2018 and 2019.

McLane Global

With facilities nationwide, Houston, Texas-based McLane Global has been offering food grade logistics and transportation for more than 120 years. Today, McLane Global provides full 3PL services from manufacturing through last-mile delivery. McLane Global does not believe in a one size fits all approach, and each customer receives services tailored to their individual needs.

MD Logistics

Focusing on the life-science pharmaceuticals and retail and consumer goods sectors, MD Logistics offers highly specialized service to customers under these umbrellas. Founded in 1996 by Dave Kiebach and Mark Sell, MD Logistics works with the customer to customize services to their unique needs. MD Logistics offers Foreign Trade Zone services within a cGMP temperature-controlled environment, as well as dedicated or shared call center services and inventory tracking services that are cutting edge.

Kenco Logistics

The largest, woman-owned logistics company in the U.S., Kenco Logistics was founded in 1950. Today, it is a fully integrated 3PL provider, with more than 200 clients, 90 distribution facilities, and 30 million square feet of space. Kenco Logistics prides itself on customer service, which despite its size remains as personalized as a small operation. Kenco Logistics is the winner of a General Mills Supplier Diversity Award, as well as a Top Woman-Owned Transportation Company Award by Women in Trucking.

FLS Transportation Services

Founded in 1987, FLS Transportation has grown from just a few employees to the largest freight brokerage firm in Canada. The company differentiates itself from the competition by offering 3x support. This ensures customers have one point of contract and three support teams backing them. They also boast a .001 percent claims rate, a testament to their rigorous employee training program. FLS Transportation Service offers a full suite of logistics management products that can be customized to meet their customers’ individual needs.

Choptank Transport, Inc.

A full-service 3PL, Preston, Maryland-based Choptank Transport, Inc. serves North American and many other locations around the world. Their cutting-edge transportation management system and award-winning training program ensure their clients receive the highest level of customer service. Choptank Transportation also prides itself on keeping current with freight laws, so that they can advise customers about the transportation of their cargo in record time.

Holman Logistics

Seattle, Washington-based Holman Logistics offers food-grade warehousing, paper product manufacturing logistics support and more. They work with such clients as Hills Pet Nutrition and Kimberly Clark, offering tailored solutions to clients of all sizes. Holman Logistics is the recipient of the 2018 Operational Excellence Award from General Electric, and Kimberly Clark’s 2014 Service Excellence Award.

Nolan Transportation Group

Founded in 2005, Nolan Transportation Group serves more than 7,000 North American customers, with over 30,000 independent transportation companies comprising their network. The company treats all of its clients as partners and works with them to achieve their goals. Their recent success stories include assisting Crate & Barrel with their domestic over-the-road supply chain, a project which earned them accolades from the retailer’s director of Global Transportation. Says Brad Voelpel of hiring Nolan Transportation Group: “I can stand here today saying it has been one of the best moves we have made within our domestic network. The NTG team’s entire focus is on customer service, providing visibility on every single move while ensuring we remain competitive in the marketplace.”

Romark Logistics

Founded in 1954, Romark Logistics serves many pharmaceutical, retail, food and beverage customers across the globe. Providing a full range of B2B and B2C options, Romark Logistics works with their customers to provide customized 3PL solutions at a competitive cost. Their tagline “Personalized Service … Always” is a guiding force behind the company’s operations, inspiring them to strive harder to ensure customer satisfaction in everything they do.

Transplace

Frisco, Texas-based Transplace is the largest managed transportation services provider in North America. Transplace prides itself at being at the forefront of TMS technology, utilizing their own proprietary cloud-based TMS system as well as AI and machine learning and predictive analytics to increase efficiency and ensure customer satisfaction. They work with their clients, not just at start up but throughout the entire relationship to constantly improve and streamline processes, saving the customer valuable time and money.

ALOM

A WBENC Certified Woman-Owned Business, ALOM has been providing third-party logistics for 23 years. Heavily focused on customer service, ALOM provides each client a dedicated account manager who oversees all aspects of their accounts, including inventory, BOM and logistics. ALOM has 19 locations around the world and is the winner of the 2020 MultiChannel Merchant Top 3PL Award as well as the 2019 SDCE Supply Chain Green Award.

Tucker Company Worldwide

Founded in 1961 by Jacob Tucker, the company believes what sets it apart is their people. With many clients having been with Tucker for one or two generations, it’s safe to say customers agree. The company adheres to strict operational and safety compliance standards, customizing their services to the unique needs of each customer. They also offer 100 percent visibility at all times, allowing modifications to their TMS that addresses those needs. Up next, Tucker Company Worldwide plans to debut a new, self-service customer portal to further enhance the customer experience, and the company regularly reviews client accounts upon request to ensure satisfaction.

Werner Enterprises

One of the five largest truckload carriers in the U.S., Werner Enterprises was founded in 1961 as a single truck operation. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Werner has offices in Canada, Mexico, and China. The company provides services such as dedicated, intermodal, cross border, global services and customs solutions. The company has won numerous awards, including the 2020 Alliance Award from SMC³ and Logistics Management, Food Logistics Top Green Provider Award and Logistics Management’s 2020 Quest for Quality Award.

Knichel Logistics

A WBENC Certified Women’s Business Enterprise and Woman Owned Small Business, this family run company provides services such as intermodal, LTL, full truckload and other specialty services. They pride themselves on highly personalized customer service, providing each client a dedicated account representative and a web-based transportation management system that delivers customized reporting. A 20-year industry veteran, Knichel Logistics CEO Kristy Knichel is the Intermodal Logistics Conference chairperson and is seated on the Board of Directors of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the premier organization for 3PL professionals in North America and abroad.

GEODIS

The global supply chain operator operates five lines of businesses around the world, including freight forwarding, supply chain optimization, distribution and express, road transport and contract logistics and transportation management. With operations in 67 countries and a worldwide network that spans 120 countries, GEODIS boasts over 41,000 employees around the world.

PLS Logistics Services

Home to the largest flatbed network in North America, PLS Logistics Services offers a full suite of transportation solutions for their clientele. Each client receives a dedicated account executive as their point of contact, and the company provides 24/7 support, transparent tracking options and custom TMS reporting. With both outsourced and managed transportation services, PLS Logistics Services allows clients the flexibility they need to run their supply chain properly.

Dachser USA Air & Sea Logistics Inc.

Dachser USA Air & Sea Logistics Inc. treats its customers as partners, offering customized solutions to suit the individual needs of each business. The U.S. arm of Kempten, Germany-based Dachser can connect with more than 400 locations in nearly 40 countries, making them a dominant presence in many of the major markets across the globe. The company’s own Dachser IT program provides industry-leading, in-house solutions for clients of all sizes.

Americold

Americold prides itself on being the only 3PL to offer automated picking in cold storage with multiple tenants. Their use of robots provides on-time, in-full accuracy 99.5 percent of the time, allowing for minimal contact and a pick cycle time of under two hours. Americold has their own proprietary inventory management system, i-3PL Supply Chain Control, which allows customers to manage their inventory from any smart device, from anywhere.

NFI Industries

One of the oldest and largest family owned 3PLs in North America, NFI offers a flat organizational structure that allows the company to work quickly and nimbly. Clients are assigned dedicated account management teams that provide personalized service and continuously look for ways to improve supply-chain efficiency, including the use of robotics and automation in their warehouses. A company that cares about sustainability, NFI Industries operates electric trucks and was one of the first providers to use Class 8 battery-electric Freightliner eCascadias. And NFI uses Kalmar Ottawa Electric T2E Terminal Tractors in its California distribution centers.

Pilot Freight Services

Founded in 1970, Pilot Freight Services credits its 50-year history with always putting the customer first. One of the International Air Transport Association’s “Top 25 Air Forwarders in the World,” Pilot’s domestic and international operations frequently work hand-in-hand to achieve customer solutions. The company is the recipient of numerous awards, including Logistics Management’s Quest for Quality and Top 50 U.S. & Global 3PL designations.

AP Moeller – Maersk

Founded in 1904 as Dampskibsselskabet Svendborg (The Steamship Company Svendborg), today the Danish company Maersk has a dedicated team of 80,000 employees and operates in 130 countries around the globe, including its U.S. headquarters in New Jersey. The integrated transport and logistics company also has a standalone energy division. Maersk offers businesses of all sizes customizable solutions, with services available on all major trade lanes, including air, land, rail and sea. Maersk recently added Eco Delivery, a service that uses biofuel to reduce carbon emissions.

UTXL

Serving North America, UTXL aims to be the “safest, most reliable and cost effective” 3PL provider. The company offers a full suite of services and has been a federally licensed broker for more than two decades. They have provided services for everyone from the smallest of small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. With a focus on “Safety, Service, Systems and Savings,” UTXL offers customers unparalleled customer service.

Phoenix Logistics

A 3PL supplier to government and Tier 1 prime customers, Phoenix Logistics has locations to serve both U.S. coasts located in Arizona and Florida. Phoenix Logistics offers customers real-time, cloud-based tracking for supply-chain management. They work tirelessly to overcome challenges and bring their customers vital delivery infrastructure such as IT, transportation, energy and medical.

C.H. Robinson

One of the world’s largest 3PLs, C.H. Robinson has $20 billion in freight under management and processes 18 million shipments each year. The company serves 119,000 customers and 78,000 contract carriers around the world. C.H. Robinson has its own innovation department, C.H. Robinson Labs, where the company is constantly developing and testing customer solutions to streamline processes that put the customer first.

ArcBest

With more than 13,000 employees, ArcBest offers services ranging from LTL via ABF Freight, ground expedite through Panther Premium Logistics, household moving via U-Pack, and vehicle repair under FleetNet America. The company’s main focus is always the customer, ranging from the smallest operations to the largest and most complicated supply chains. ArcBest was recently named the No. 2 employer in Arkansas by Forbes and Statista Inc.

Global Gateway Logistics

St. Louis, Missouri-based Global Gateway Logistics recently made headlines for delivering more than 2 million pieces of PPE to their local community with the help of global partners, in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19. Global Gateway Logistics offers services ranging from international air freight, international ocean, rail transport, ground transport, analysis consulting, hospitality logistics and customs consulting.

Axle Logistics

The Knoxville, Tennessee-based 3PL, which is among the fastest growing in the industry, provides safe, reliable, advanced logistics services for companies throughout North America. Axle Logistics’ freight brokerage and transportation management operations support shipper needs for truckload, less-than truckload (LTL) and intermodal as well as integrated warehousing and distribution services. The 3PL recently expanded its engagement with Trucker Tools, deploying its Smart Capacity predictive freight-matching software. The added services build upon its current use of Trucker Tools load tracking, which has helped Axle increase tracking compliance among truckload carriers from below 30 percent to 80 percent.

PITT OHIO

PITT OHIO, which prides itself on having one of the best safety ratings in the logistics industry, is the recipient of numerous safety awards, including the American Trucking Association’s President Trophy. The family owned company offers services including small package, truckload and LTL, which is the company’s legacy service. PITT OHIO works with their customers to create custom solutions to their logistics challenges, providing quality service every step of the way.

CaseStack

Founded in 1999, CaseStack offers collaborative supply chain management services for CPG’s retailer logistics programs and cloud-based supply management products. CaseStack’s platform works to combine LTL deliveries to reduce shipping costs and improve delivery performance, while their cloud-based program allows CPG companies to manage their accounts, improve forecasting and sourcing, and much more.

Ruan

Founded in 1932 by John Ruan, what started as a gravel hauling company in Des Moines, Iowa, now boasts more than 300 operations nationwide, with 6,000 team members and 10,000 trailers. Placing a high precedent on safety, Ruan was the first transportation company in the U.S. to develop a safety program, and it is their commitment to safety, performance, customer satisfaction, people, improvement and teamwork that drives the company to this day.

Echo Global Logistics

Echo Global Logistics was founded in 2005 with the goal of simplifying transportation management. Its user-friendly, proprietary technology enables vendors, partners and clients to operate more nimbly, adapting to changes with real-time visibility. The company’s expansive coverage allows your merchandise to get to its final destination when it’s needed—no matter the means.

Kane Is Able

Kane Is Able works with consumer goods manufacturers who sell through ecommerce, retailers and grocers to improve supply chain efficiency. The company’s employees work as an extension of your business, helping to ensure that you get the best service for your logistics dollar, round the clock. The company employs Lean and Kaizen methodologies to constantly improve performance, which translates to a better experience for their customers.

Hub Group

Founded by Joyce and Phil Yeager in a “one-room, windowless office,” Hub Group has grown from its modest beginnings to become an award-winning 3PL specializing in customizable multimodal solutions. Hub Group attributes its success to providing the services that its customers need at a fair price. They offer LTL, FTL, expedited, intermodal and international freight services with the goal of long-term growth.

WSI Logistics

WSI Logistics was founded in 1966 in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, with just 30,000 square feet of warehouse space. Today, the company has grown to become one of the largest privately held logistics companies in America, with a network that includes American Warehouse LLC, Warehouse Specialists LLC, Material Logistics & Services LLC (MLS), Fulfillment Specialists of America, Inc. (FSA), LLC & WSI Freight Solutions and 360data. WSI Logistics offers fulfillment, transportation, import/export, warehousing and distribution, contract services and 3PL.

Logistics Plus

One of the fastest growing privately owned logistics companies in the world, Logistics Plus has annual global sales of over $300 million, with 450 employees spanning 28 countries across the globe. Logistics Plus offers services ranging from LTL, freight forwarding, truckload, warehousing and fulfillment, global trade compliance, project cargo, import/export and customs brokerage. Despite their rapid growth, Logistics Plus is still small enough to meet their customers’ unique logistics needs but big enough to solve the most complex of logistics challenges.

Mallory Alexander International Logistics

Mallory Alexander International Logistics is a full-service logistics provider offering customers over 94 years of experience in the logistics industry. The company knows that it plays a vital role in the supply chain of their customers, and it strives to ensure the accuracy that will keep their clients’ businesses running smoothly. Mallory Alexander International Logistics also offers their own proprietary MyMallory Management Portal that allows users to customize their experience and get the information they need, when they need it.

Penske

One of the most recognized names in logistics, Penske offers a full suite of state-of-the-art solutions to get your cargo where it needs to go. Penske serves a wide range of industries, from automotive to chemical, consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics, industrial manufacturing, retail and more. With more than 35,000 employees around the world—and more than 300,000 vehicles—the company is poised to offer customers a wide array of solutions that will fit their individual business needs

Approved Freight Forwarders

Approved Freight Forwarders began its business serving Guam and is now one of the premier freight forwarders in the Pacific, connecting Hawaii, Guam and California to the rest of the world. Offering ocean, air and over-the-road transportation, Approved Freight Forwarders is the only freight forwarder with terminals on all four of the major Hawaiian Islands. Serving both individuals and business clientele, Approved Freight Forwarders has one of the lowest damage claims rates in the industry, thanks to the personalized attention they pay to each shipment.

Magnate Worldwide

One of the fastest growing companies in the logistics industry, supply chain management company Magnate Worldwide comprises wholly-owned subsidiaries that work tirelessly to offer premier logistics services, including global freight forwarding and expedited domestic transportation. With a high focus on customer service, Magnate Worldwide offers specialized services, specializing in time-sensitive, high-value shipments.

Kanban Logistics

North Carolina-based Kanban Logistics offers inbound logistics services for manufacturers, ecommerce and finished goods distribution. Kanban is certified to the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard by MCNA as well as the MCNA certificate of registration for AS9100D, the Federal Aviation Administration’s aerospace industry standard. Kanban also holds a superior rating by AIB International and is compliant with C-TPAT, an added security program. They are also a general purpose FTZ, enabling them to defer duties until products are shipped within the United States.

Burris Logistics

Pioneers in the cold chain logistics space, Burris Logistics began as a father-and-son tomato delivery operation in 1925 and has since grown to more than 2,000 employees. Burris Logistics puts a heavy focus on teamwork, with their ONEBURRIS initiative, which operates under the motto “team before self.” This guiding principle empowers the Burris Logistics team to not just work together, but to work together for betterment of their customers.

Neovia Logistics

Neovia Logistics works as a true partner to their customers, helping them grow their business. Neovia has more than 100 facilities in over 20 countries, spanning six continents. Working mainly with automotive, aerospace, technology and industrial customers, Neovia offers everything from warehouse management to inventory optimization, supply-chain technology and support, inbound logistics and much more.

Transportation Insight

Transportation Insight employs hundreds of highly trained logistics professionals across the United States. Specializing in unique supply chain solutions, the company deals with everything from domestic transportation to international logistics. Transportation Insight works with clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, help either find ways to cut costs and increase efficiency.

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Automation Trends and Challenges in Transporting Dangerous Goods

September 11th, 2020 Haylle Sok Leave a comment

In just about every moving part of shipping logistics in the modern trading landscape, automation in some form or capacity is present or in the works to better support operations. From robotics to drones to autonomous vehicles, technology innovation is changing the way logistics operates, one bleep at a time. But when it comes to the transport of dangerous goods, there are factors present that create more of a danger when paired with innovation, creating more of a need for risk mitigation measures. The safety and compliance efforts going into transporting goods (particularly if they are dangerous goods) should always be just as important as the level of efficiency of the transportation process.

Drones, for example, continue making news headlines in logistics-focused transportation. Not only do drones provide an emissions-free, congestion-free and cost-effective alternative, but they also provide a new method of competitive positioning, according to Navigant Research. Pharmaceuticals have successfully been delivered utilizing this method of transportation in the last year. UPS is among the big names reinventing the way healthcare logistics is approached after the company announced its new drone logistics partnership with AmerisourceBergen, a pharmaceutical distributor.

“Delivery bots, RDVs and drones are set to displace millions of truck and van deliveries over the next decade, as they are far smaller, more flexible, lower in cost, and naturally suitable for automation and electrification,” says Ryan Citron, senior research analyst at Navigant Research, in a release earlier this year. “These technologies are expected to make last-mile logistics (LML) more efficient and sustainable, while also transforming local commerce and user experience through new business models such as on-demand store-hailing.”

While this is great news for some of the goods transported on a daily basis, drones are not exactly a realistic solution for the case of dangerous goods, at least for the time being in transportation and innovation regulation. That is when the conversation of autonomous vehicles comes in.

When transporting dangerous goods on wheels, what role does the autonomous vehicle fulfill? Let us start with what could go wrong with transporting dangerous goods. In an interesting evaluation of this process, Occupational Health and Safety released an in-depth article outlining the potential risks associated with ground transportation of dangerous goods. These risks included collisions and accidents, emergency response measures, loading and unloading, and the measures taken to properly secure such materials after loading for the ride. In all of these examples given by OHS, a physical driver is needed in some form or capacity, and not just any driver, but a trained hazmat employee. Without the properly trained employees or advances in technology to ensure compliance is met, a physical employee will need to be present for the majority of the “autonomous” vehicle experience, even if that employee isn’t the one doing the driving.

Another important thing to remember when merging technology and the transport of dangerous goods is their compatibility with other important–and vital–parts of the process. In a recent blog from Labelmaster, the concept of a solid data foundation is explained as a key part of a three-pillar system. The company’s VP of Software & Customer Success, Mario Sagastume, reiterates that when one of these pillars is off, the others follow suit.

Technology innovation does not always equal fancy robotics or massive automation takeovers. In some cases, it boils down to a clear set of data that provides a clear view of the big picture while identifying bottlenecks, risks and a lack of resources. It is important to consider the basics of technology before diving into complex solutions. After all, dangerous goods shipping is already a challenge. You want to simplify and support the process, not overcomplicate it. Solutions such as Labelmaster’s hazmat shipping software solution, DGIS, is an example of how data and technology work together for success in hazardous shipping processes.

Whether you’re transporting dangerous goods by sea, road, rail or air, one common element is ever-present: the human factor. This factor is identified in several studies as one of the main culprits of risk when evaluating potential issues in transporting dangerous goods. One specific study conducted by Jelizaveta Janno and Ott Koppel from Tallinn University of Technology, School of Engineering, Estonia, states that, “…the risk of DGT is strongly related to a human factor as all decisions, processes and procedures within a transportation chain are made by different parties involved.”

The authors explain that every part of the transportation process of these dangerous goods involve the human factor in some capacity, as seen with the previous point of autonomous vehicles and the required human presence for parts of the process.

This brings the conversation to the topic of adequate training. With all the technology, innovation and automation in the world, the human factor will almost always be present. This is not a bad thing, it is a wakeup call that technology cannot fix what thorough training, education and accountability can.

In another blog from Labelmaster, survey results from the annual Dangerous Goods Symposium revealed that the complex nature of hazmat and dangerous goods regulations, along with lack of robust education efforts, are causing headaches for a variety of shippers in the supply chain. One survey responder specifically cited the need for curriculum specific to the dangerous goods arena of supply-chain management.

Training and education (on regulations and operations) must be held to a higher standard for those filling positions in the supply chain, but especially for those handling dangerous goods at every level. Without this imperative part of the equation, technology and innovation efforts will be compromised. The investment must start with the employees and with leadership.

Before investing heavily in the next technology solution on the market, look carefully at the internal processes first. Take an honest inventory of how compliance is managed, how paperwork is processed, and the quality of employee communications. Recall the example from the experts at Labelmaster: Technology is a part of the bigger picture. When one pillar is impacted, they are all impacted.

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