Development of Nuclear Power, Term Paper Example

Freight in the United States has, since the beginning been moved by the private carriers that are owned by private companies. Such companies often operate their businesses using the public ways. Some even go as far as utilizing the railroads and the pipelines for their own benefits. Though the right of way was obtained from the public in return of transportation services, there has been a misunderstanding between the parties. The government in a bid to represent the public and their investments seek to regulate the investments. The private sector, on the other hand, wants their operations unregulated to ensure maximization of profits. The government and the private sector have had hostile relationship due to the above factors. The government in the late 19^th century enacted an anti-price-discrimination law that barred railroads from using the price differentiation scheme. The law, however, was repealed in the late 1870s after the financial status in the railroad sector deteriorated.

Freight companies often perceive that the government does not have their interests at hand with respect of them using the public way. Truckers believe that the Department of Transport (DOT), as being the main cause of the congestion in the roads and subsequent destroyers of the pavements. They argue that their contribution towards the success of the economy is not appreciated (Freight Facts and Figures, 2010).

Despite the container industry having been developed since 1960, the laws governing them were passed in the 1980s. The laws allowed for cooperation between the different transportation groups that were developing. Laws such as the staggers Act of 1980 provided for deregulation of some areas of the railroad industry. This reduced the number of persons needed for each train as crew, lowering the total labour cost for each train. It also removed the pricing and scheduling limitations thus increasing the railroads ability to be flexible in adjusting to the market needs. Such changes were designed to make the railroads more competitive for domestic freight that had been lost to truck companies.

The shippers should have a humble time in the cause of their service provision. It can be recalled that the Ocean Shipping Act of 1984 did away with restrictions that carriers faced and allowed them to provide inland distribution singly through a bill of lading. This helped to improve the delivery of goods to the inland.

Mid 1980s saw the carriers operating on the transpacific trade suffer excessive tonnage at lower rates. The American President Lines formed the first transcontinental double stacked trains and more services as the shippers could receive through a single billing of lading. This helped them deliver as scheduled. The government should revisit such policies and focus on its implementation because it is highly recommended (Intermodal Freight Corridor Development in the United States, 2012).

The governments’ introduction of ‘hours of service’ significantly influences the drivers’ workforce. The stringent measures as to the licencing is likely to change the insurance rates. These changes would tend to make railroad services more attractive than the roads.

Despite of the few problems, the development of the intermodal freight transport in the U.S is noticeable. The public and private sectors have since come together to direct investment towards infrastructure improvements. They also help to maintain the benefits of the private sector in their operations.

Whereas public money is targeted for infrastructure development, aspects pertaining any projects should focus on the alignment of the facilities that has local and regional demand. Stakeholders should agree to the mutual benefit of all the regions. Innovative planning is also required in the implementation of such policies. Funding mechanisms that have been a focus by the government in the recent past is a reason to believe that the freight issues are being addressed. The current planners should borrow a leaf from the initial members whose decisions were reputable.

References

Freight Facts and Figures (2010). Retrieved http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/10factsfigures/pdfs/fff2010_highres.pdf Accessed on 30th march 2012

Intermodal Freight Corridor Development in the United States http://www.stt.aegean.gr/econship2011/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=27&Itemid=20 Accessed on 30^th march 2012