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D-1
APPENDIX D
Internet Survey Instrument
The National Cooperative Freight Research Program through the Transportation Research Board (TRB) is
conducting research to identify freight mobility constraints and develop a methodology to deploy tested, low-cost,
quickly implementable physical, operational, and regulatory improvements that address such constraints. This
survey is intended to help gather information on how you define freight mobility constraints and actions you take to
address them or react to such constraints. This survey is organized in two sections:
· Section I - General Freight Mobility Information (Questions 1- 13).
Please answer all of the questions in this section. In addition answer all questions in Section II that are
specific to your modal operations, as follows. We appreciate your time and input in completing this survey.
· Section II - Freight Mobility Modal Specific Information
Motor carriers--Questions 1421
Port terminal operators, port authorities--Questions 2227
Railroads--Questions 2832
Shippers, freight forwarders, logistics service providers, warehouse operators, labor unions--Questions 3336
State DOTs, MPOs, Federal agencies--Questions 1436
Section I--General Freight Mobility Information
Please answer all the questions in this section
1) Which one of the following best describes your organization? (Select one)
State Department of Transportation
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Federal Agency
Air Freight Carrier
Motor Carrier
Short-Line Railroad
Class I Railroad
Deepwater Port Terminal Operator
Inland Waterway Operator
Port Authority
Freight Forwarder
Logistics Services Provider
Warehouse Owner/Operator
Shipper
Labor Union
Supplier
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D-2
2) Which one of the following best describes the predominant mode of freight movement that you are responsible
for? (Select one)
Trucks/Highway
Rail
Water/Ports
Air
Pipeline
3) How would you define "freight mobility constraint"?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Which five of the following performance indicators do you most often use to monitor freight mobility
systems and identify major constraints? (Rank 1 through 5; with 1 being the highest).
Average speed ____________
Delay ____________
Stops per hour ____________
Idle time ____________
Level of service ____________
Traffic volume ____________
Truck percentage ____________
Driver utilization/mile ____________
Dwell time in hours or days ____________
On-time arrival and/or departure ____________
On-time customer pickup and/or delivery ____________
Lifts per hour or shift ____________
Gate transactions per day ____________
Truck trips per day ____________
Other (specify) _____________________
5) Which five of the following do you consider to be the major causes of freight mobility constraints for your
operations? (Rank 1 through 5; with 1 being the highest).
Inadequate physical capacity ____________
Highway geometry ____________
Inadequate system management ____________
Regulatory constraints ____________
Land use controls and regulations ____________
Insufficient funding ____________
Inadequate internal and external communications ____________
Uncertain permitting outcomes ____________
Insufficient trained labor ____________
Inadequate attention to safety ____________
Grade crossings ____________
Other (specify) ____________________________
6) How would you characterize the major freight mobility constraints affecting your operations? (Rank 1
through 5; with 1 being the highest).
Physical capacity ____________
Operational limitations ____________
Regulatory restrictions ____________
Technological limitations/inadequacy ____________
Financial limitations ____________
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D-3
7) How much do Department of Homeland Security (and international) requirements (e.g., C-TPAT, SFI, 100%
scanning 10+2 program) interfere with efficient freight movements? (Select one)
None
Not much
Somewhat
Very much
8) In your opinion, to what extent do Federal and state safety regulations impede mobility or improve efficient
operations? (Select one)
Impede very much
Impede somewhat
No impact
Improve somewhat
Improve very much
9) In your opinion, to what extent do Federal, state, and local land use and environmental regulations impede
mobility or improve efficient operations? (Select one)
Impede very much
Impede somewhat
No impact
Improve somewhat
Improve very much
10) To what extent do you consider the following factors when evaluating an improvement action?
Factors Used to Evaluate Whether or Not to Never Not often Often Always
Implement an Improvement Action used used used used
Cost
Benefits (perceived and actual)
Funding availability/source
Implementation time
Safety
Security
Risk
Regulatory requirements
Other (specify)_____________________
11) To what extent do you implement the following steps when selecting potential improvement options?
Steps in Selecting Potential Improvement Not often Always
Options Never used used Often used used
Benefit-Cost analysis
Historical information (past performance)
Stakeholder /customer input
Other (specify) ____________
12) How would you characterize a "quickly implementable" or "quick fix" improvement action directed at
addressing freight mobility constraints? (Select one)
Less than 6 months
At least 6 months but less than 1 year
At least 1 year but less than 2 years
At least 2 years
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D-4
13) How do you assess the success of implemented improvements? (Select all that apply)
Before and after studies
Benefit-cost analysis
Customer feedback
Key performance indicator analysis
Other (specify) ______________________
None
Section II - Freight Mobility Modal Specific Information
Motor Carriers - please answer Questions 14 to 21
14) What is your primary type of operation? (Check all that apply.)
For-Hire
Truckload
Less Than Truckload
Specialized (flatbed, tanker, bulk)
Private Fleet
Intermodal (port or rail)
Third party logistics provider
Other (please specify):_______________________
15) What type of operation best describes your company? (Select One)
Regional
National
International
16) How often do the following physical constraints occur in your operations?
Physical Constraint Never Not often Often Very often
Major interchanges
Bridges and tunnels
Intermodal connectors
Steep grades
Port terminals
Intersections
Rail yard and switching
Toll facilities
Local road access
Other (specify) ________________
17) How often do you encounter the following regulatory constraints in your trucking operations?
Regulatory Constraint Never Not often Often Very often
Hazmat regulations and route restrictions
Hours of service
Differences in truck size and weight limit
regulations
Speed limit differentials
Other (specify) ________________
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D-5
18) How often do you encounter the following operational/technological constraints in your trucking
operations?
Operational/Technological Constraint Never Not often Often Very often
Parking restrictions/inadequate parking
Truck lane restrictions
Traffic signal timing
Inadequate warning signs
Other (specify) ________________
19) How often do the following consequences occur due to mobility constraints?
Operational Area Never Not often Often Very often
Increased operating costs
Decreased levels of service
Loss of business
Longer transit time
Driver recruitment/retention
Increased safety risks
Other (specify) ________________
20) How often do you take the following actions to respond to physical, operational, technological or regulatory
freight mobility constraints?
Strategy Never Not often Often Very often
Reschedule trip/delivery
Use third parties/agents
Add equipment/drivers/resources
Seek regulatory changes
Use alternate routes
Deploy in-cab communication
Other (specify) ________________
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D-6
21) To what degree do the following low-cost improvements help improve freight mobility?
Marginal Significant
Improvement Action No impact improvement improvement
Auxiliary lanes
Paved shoulders
Acceleration and deceleration lanes
Re-striping to add more lanes
Ramp metering
Ramp widening
Temporary ramp closure
Traveler information
Truck restrictions
Truck climbing lanes
Traffic signal synchronization
Intersection turn lanes
Improved intersection turn radius
Removal of vertical clearance impediments
Other (specify) ________________
Deepwater Port Terminal Operators; Inland Waterway Terminal and Carrier Operators; Port Authorities -
please answer Questions 22 to 27
22) How often do you encounter the following physical constraints in your terminal, waterway, or port
operations?
Physical Constraint Never Not often Often Very often
Dangerous wharf conditions
Inadequate waterway or channel depths
Inefficient terminal layout
Inadequate terminal capacity
Empty container storage and movement
Restrictive gate configurations
Inadequate security and government agency inspection areas
Lack of maintenance shop capacity and dedicated area
Inadequate chassis storage areas
Insufficient on-dock rail
Physical barriers to rail operations
Inadequate local street and highway access from terminal
Other (specify) ________________
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D-7
23) How often do you encounter the following operational constraints in your terminal, waterway, or port
operations?
Operational Constraint Never Not often Often Very often
Late ship or tug arrival time
Insufficient labor as ordered and needed
Insufficient supply of trained labor
Unclear traffic directions within the terminal for trucks and
yard equipment
Internal communication difficulties up and down the chain of
command
External communication difficulties across modes
Inadequate planning for handling unexpected disruption
Inability to ramp up for peak periods. Differences in
communications and software programs among supply chain
partners and customers. Excess on-terminal dwell time.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
requirements
Unplanned requirements and costs related to air quality and
environmental factors
Proprietary information barriers to modal coordination
Compliance with international operational requirements
Other (specify) ________________
24) How often do you take the following actions to respond to physical, operational, and regulatory freight
mobility constraints?
Actions to Respond to Physical, Operational, and Never Not often Often Always
Regulatory Constraints used used used used
Empower problem solving action groups
Prepare contingency plans
Budget for implementing contingency plans
Expand gate capacity
Expand gate operation hours
Adopt program to encourage off-peak terminal operations
Upgrade communication technologies
Support labor training programs
Establish labor/management operations planning and
trouble-shooting teams
Institute risk reducing contract terms with customers and
modal partners
Coordinate capital improvement planning and improvements
with modal and community partners to avoid unanticipated
negative congestion consequences
Regularly communicate with elected officials, management,
and community stakeholders to garner support for regulatory
improvements
Use customized technology programs
Other (specify) ________________
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25) What are the five most common operational impacts of freight mobility constraints? (Rank 1 through 5; with 1
being the highest).
Delay ____________
Increased operating cost ____________
Loss of business ____________
Loss of employees (drivers) ____________
Environmental impacts ____________
Other (specify) ____________________________
26) To what extent do you believe the following low-cost improvements help address/eliminate freight mobility
constraints?
Low-Cost Methods to Address Freight Mobility No Low Some High
Constraints potential potential potential potential
Auxiliary gate lanes
Paved holding areas outside the gate
"Fast Lane" at gates using paperless checking
Terminal reconfiguration to add more capacity
Truck reservation system
Establish regular pre-planning meetings to coordinate
ship, rail, labor, drayage requirements
On-terminal traffic management by managers
Locate secured inspection areas outside of major traffic
areas
Dedicated truck lanes on local roads outside the gate
Synchronize signals at terminal entrance/exit to adjust to
peak traffic hours on local roads and at terminal
Utilize wireless communications on terminal to facilitate
proper storage, ship operations, and gate operations
Other (specify) ________________
27) Please provide any explanatory comments to the above responses or additional information on freight mobility
constraints.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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D-9
Section II
Railroads - please answer Questions 28 to 32
28) Which are the five most severe and persistent freight mobility constraints? (Rank 1 through 5; with 1 being
the highest).
Constraint
Yard capacity
Switching efficiency
Lack of double or triple tracking
Lack of sidings
Intermodal terminals
Locomotive power and freight cars
Crews (labor availability)
Maintenance shops
Vertical double stack restrictions
Signaling restrictions or lack of optimized signaling
Speed restrictions in urban areas
Other (specify) ________________
Other (specify) ________________
29) Which five capacity problems are the major causes of freight mobility constraints? (Rank 1 through 5; with 1
being the highest).
Capacity Problem
General economic growth
Cyclical growth in key commodities
Cyclical boom
Economic/re-regulatory uncertainty
Insufficient cash flow for re-investment
Car supply shortages
Other materials or construction supply shortages, e.g., steel rail,
concrete, signal systems
Competition from other modes
Environmental regulations
Other (specify) ________________
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30) How often do you take the following actions to respond to physical, operational, and regulatory freight
mobility constraints?
Actions to Respond to Physical, Operational, and Never Not often Often Always
Regulatory Constraints used used used used
Reschedule trip/delivery
Use alternative routes
Use third parties
Pass on delay costs to customers
Deploy in-cab communication
Seek regulatory changes
Upgrade communication technologies
Support labor training programs
Establish labor/management operations planning and
trouble-shooting teams
Other (specify) ________________
31) To what degree do the following low-cost improvements help improve freight mobility?
Marginal Significant
Low-Cost Action No impact improvement improvement
Technologies
Train control/advanced dispatching
On-board sensors
Rapid on/off maintenance of way machinery
Electronically controlled pneumatic brakes
Advanced electronic inspection techniques
Trunked digital communications systems
Other (specify) ________________
32) Please provide any explanatory comments to the above responses or additional information on freight mobility
constraints.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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D-11
Section II--Freight Forwarders, Shippers, Labor Unions, Suppliers - please answer Questions 33 to 36
33) How often do you encounter the following freight mobility constraints in your operations?
Constraint Never Not often Often Very often
Labor contract/agreement issues--FELA liability if any
Insufficient supply of trained labor--restrictions on
contracting out
Safety concerns
Insufficient storage capacity
Availability of technology tools--e.g., for tracking and
tracing inadequacies
Delays or higher costs due to regulatory restrictions
Communication among stakeholders
Inadequate planning for handling unexpected demands
and/or recovery from unplanned events
Late arrival of shipments, especially if tardy arrival
required more costly substitute transportation
Unreliable shipment schedules--spot or chronic
Safety of shipments--damage to lading
Security of shipments
Other (specify) ________________
34) How often do you take the following actions to respond to freight mobility constraints?
Never Not often Often Always
Actions to Respond to Constraints used used used used
Reschedule trip/delivery
Increase number of trips
Reroute delivery
Use third parties/agents
Add equipment/ resources
Pass on delay costs to customers
Seek constructive damages under a contract or legal judgment
Seek regulatory changes
Revise operating schedules
Prepare and implement contingency plans
Expand warehouse storage capacity or house tracks
Resolve labor-related issues
Adopt schedules consistent with both regulatory requirements
and business imperatives
Upgrade communication technologies, wired or wireless
Support carrier-sponsored labor training programs
Establish labor/management operations planning and trouble-
shooting teams--for "corrective action"
Other (specify) ________________
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D-12
35) What are the five most important impacts of freight mobility constraints? (Rank 1 through 5; with 1 being the
highest).
Delay in manufacturing or delivering product ____________
Increased operating cost ____________
Loss of business/sales opportunity ____________
Loss of revenue ____________
Loss of labor ____________
Environmental impacts ____________
Perishability of lading ____________
Risk of industrial accidents ____________
Other (specify) ____________________________ ____________
36) To what extent do you believe the following low-cost improvements help address or eliminate freight mobility
constraints?
No Low Some High
Actions to Respond to Constraints potential potential potential potential
Empowering more efficient use of labor
Use off-peak hours for delivery/pickup
Flexibility in hours of service--better availability of
"work-arounds", waivers, spot hires, etc.
Support labor training programs
Upgrade communication technologies,
Revise operating schedules--e.g. Saturday service with
"traveling switch engines"
Prepare and implement contingency plans
Expand warehouse storage capacity
Expand house track storage capacity
Resolve labor-related issues
Improve facility perimeter security
Other (specify) ________________
(optional)
Respondent's name: ________________________________________________________
Organization _____________________________________Title _____________________
Email ___________________________Phone ____________________________
